• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2008

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate effects of massage therapy and the attachment promotion program with autistic children. Method: A quasi-experimental design was conducted with a convenience sample of 44 autistic children. The experimental group (n= 23) attended the massage therapy and the attachment promotion program for 4 months. The control group (n=21) only had the attachment promotion program. Measurements were made twice for both groups using the social maturity scale and child autism rating scale. Recording of mother-child attachment was done for 15 minutes in only the experimental group twice using video equipment. Results: After 4 months of interventions, there was significant difference on social maturity (F=9.01, p=.005) between the groups. However, there was no significant difference on CARS ((F=2.47, p=.124). The total scores of mother-child attachment between pre- and post-interventions showed a significant difference (Z=-3.42, p=.001). Conclusion: The results showed that massage therapy and the attachment promotion program might be an effective way for providing a chance to increase social maturation and to increase attachment between mother and autistic child.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2006

Social deficits are the most critical and core deficits of the children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and they are qualitatively as well as qualitatively different from typically developing children. It is proposed that the attachment between the mother and the autistic child should be promoted foremost and early as possible, to improve social deficits, just like early social developments in normal children depend largely on interactions between the mother and the child who are attached to each other we have developed an interventional program, 'Attachment Promotion Therapy', largely based on the attachment theory. The Attachment promotion Therapy mandates the participation of both the mother and the autistic child, and consists of mutually enjoying play activities, close physical contacts and parental training on intense mother-child interactions, focusing on improving maternal sensitivity, responsiveness, and nurturing behaviors during their interactions. The program was found to be effective in improving attachment behaviors, attachment security and acquiring joint attention skills. Attachment Promotion Therapy is therefore proposed here as the important earliest intervention method for children with ASD and could become the base for many other educational and therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2006

The effects of the Attachment Promotion Therapy (APT) program for the autistic children were reviewed by 8 papers. The program was consisted with play activity centered mother-child interaction, educational activity for parents, lecture, video-feedback, and support. APT program was effective to improve the attachment behaviors and attachment security. And the mother's behaviors to her child became more child-centered, positively responsive, expressive supportively. Ninety six point seven percent of the mothers were satisfied with the APT program. They described that it was helpful to understand their children's developmental limitation and strength, to learn how to play with their children, to make supportive social network among the mothers, to minimize familial conflicts, and to make them much more comfortable with their children. They thought the APT Program was to be a steppingstone of the further educational program. APT program is an effective early intervention to promote social development and decrease autistic problems.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.114-122
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of Music Therapy for the autistic children. Method: The subjects of this study consisted of 3 autistic children who were trained in an Attachment Promotion Therapy Program for 6 months. The Children were all males and 4years 9months, 3years 1 month, and 3years 8month each, and diagnosed with Autism by Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Data was collected by using video-taping methods(ADOS, Fagot's Interactive Behavior Code), an interview and observational methods(SMS). Music Therapy intervention was done once a week for 6 months. Data was gathered by quantitative and qualitative analysis. Result: This study showed that the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale and Social Maturity Quotient(SQ) much improved after the Music Therapy After the Music Therapy, the Interactive Behavior Code : Gaze, Gesture for the communication, Verbal language, Laughing/Smile, and Normal play behaviors increased more than before the intervention. As the results show, the child's behavior became more positively responsive, playful, and attentive to others. Conclusion: This study suggests that Music Therapy might be an effective intervention for autistic disorder children in order to decrease autistic symptoms and increase joint attention behavior.