This study aims to examine oral structural and functional problems in children with autism.
In this descriptive study, children with autism will be screened for oral structural and functional problems. In this context, observational evaluation will be made. The presence of tongue thrust reflex, chewing performance and salivation control in children will be examined.Within the scope of the research, demographic data, parameters related to the oral motor development stage (time to transition to solid food and solid food, time to first teething) will be recorded according to parental report. Oral structural evaluation, including open mouth, high palate, oral hygiene and malocclusion, will be made observationally and recorded as present/absent. Within the scope of oral functional evaluation, tongue thrust reflex, chewing function and salivation control (dooling) will be evaluated. The questions the investigators will test for this purpors; Q1:What oral structural and functional problems are seen in children with autism? Q2:What is the frequency of oral structural and functional problems seen in children with autism?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
90
observational oral assessment
Demographic Information Form
Descriptive information will be recorded.
Time frame: 1 month
Time to achieve Oromotor skills
Parameters related to oromotor skills (transition time to additional food and solid food, initial teething time) were recorded based on a parental report.
Time frame: 1 month
Oral structural assessment
Oral structural evaluation, including open mouth, high-arched palate, oral hygiene and malocclusion, will be made observationally and recorded as present/absent. Evaluation of malocclusion will be made observationally while at rest. It will be recorded as normal, over jet, open bite, deep bite and cross bite present/absent.
Time frame: 1 month
Chewing evaluation
Chewing function will be evaluated with the "Mastication Function Observation and Evaluation Tool (MOE, The Mastication Observation and Evaluation)". This tool includes an objective assessment of the chewing process in children. The child is monitored while eating a standard biscuit, and the observer scores the child's chewing skills based on 8 parameters. This assessment tool evaluates tongue movements, jaw movements, chewing time, food/saliva overflow, swallowing and coordination during chewing.
Time frame: 1 month
Drooling of saliva evaluation
Drooling frequency and sverity scale (DFSS) will be used. Drooling severity is scored between 1 and 5. It is scored as 1 meaning no saliva and dry, and 5 meaning continuous flow to the body and objects. Frequency is scored between 1 and 4. 1 means no drooling, 4 means constantly drooling.
Time frame: 1 month
Tongue thrust evaluation
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
The presence and severity of the tongue thrust will be evaluated with the Tongue ThrustRating Scale (TTRS). It evaluates the tongue thrust between 0 and 3 points. While 0 indicates that there is no tongue reflex, 3 indicates that the tongue is positioned outside the mouth, that is, a severe tongue thrust.
Time frame: 1 month