title: Cooperation predictors for dental patients with autism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated potential predictors of cooperation during dental appointments for children with autism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 108 parent/child pairs and their dentists. Questions included: (1) medical/dental history; (2)functional language; (3) personal hygiene skills; (4) academic setting; and (5) achievements. Behavior was scored using the Frankl scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects were 80 males and 28 females 2.7 to 19 years old with a mean age of 9.8 years. Frankl scores were 65% uncooperative (definitely negative or negative) and 35% cooperative (positive or definitely positive). Multiple factors predicted uncooperative behavior: (1) appointment type (P=.03); (2) concurrent medical diagnoses (P=.04); (3) nonverbal/minimal or echololic language (P=.005); (4) inability to understand language appropriate for age (P=.02); (5) inability to follow multistep instructions (P=.04); (6) parents providing most/all tooth-brushing (P=.004); (7) partially or not toilet trained at 4+ years (P=.02); (8) inability to sit for a haircut (P=.01); (9) attending special education (P<.001); and (10) inability to read at 6+ years (P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Five questions readily answered by a caregiver may indicate a child's cooperative potential. Preappointment inquiry about toilet training, toothbrushing, haircuts, academic achievement and language can give the dentist insight into the child's ability to respond positively to behavior guidance techniques based on communication.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Wash., USA. mammelon@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sheller
authors.forename: Bryan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mancl
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cowan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003710:Demography; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D012307:Risk Factors; D014705:Verbal Behavior