VARIOUS TECHNIQUES OF ADAPTATION TO DENTAL TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER /PRIMENA RAZLICITIH TEHNIKA ADAPTACIJE NA STOMATOLOSKE INTERVENCIJE KOD DECE SA POREMECAJEM IZ SPEKTRA AUTIZMA

Introduction. Autism is a severe and lifelong developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and interpersonal communication, as well as characteristic repetitive patterns of interest and behavior. The purpose of this study is to point to the possibility of applying various techniques of adaptation of children with autism to dental interventions in order to maintain oral health. Material and Methods. A multidisciplinary project was carried out by the Dental Clinic of Vojvodina, Special Education School "Dr. Milan Petrovic" and the Autism Society of Novi Sad. The following education models were used in the project: behavior-oriented models, developmental strategies, therapy based interventions, and combined interventions. The success rate of applied education models and adaptation of children with autism spectrum disorders to dental interventions was examined. The success criteria included the ability to make contact, communicate, cooperate, and perform dental treatment. Results. The multidisciplinary project included 20 active members the Autism Society of Novi Sad and 20 members of the Special Education School "Dr. Milan Petrovic" day care program. The results of the study showed a 95% success rate of the most commonly used applied behavior analysis. The success rate of the communication oriented interventions was 90%, while therapy based interventions showed an 85% success rate. The combined interventions showed a 100% success rate. Conclusion. Only integration of several methods, multidisciplinary cooperation and an individual approach to work with children with autism can lead to success in work and adaptation to dental interventions of persons with autism spectrum disorder. Key words: Pediatric Dentistry; Oral Health; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Adaptation, Psychological; Interdisciplinary Communication; Patient Compliance; Psychological Techniques Uvod. Autizam ili autisticni poremecaj je ozbiljan i dozivotni razvojni poremecaj koji karakterise pogorsanu medusobnu socijalnu interakciju, medusobnu komunikaciju i karakteristicne ponavljajuce obrasce interesa i ponasanja. Svrha ove studije jeste da se prikaze mogucnost primene razlicitih tehnika i adaptacije dece sa poremecajima iz autisticnog spektra na stomatoloske intervencije u cilju ocuvanja oralnog zdravlja. Materijal i metode. Ostvaren je multidisciplinarni projekat izmedu Klinike za stomatologiju Vojvodine sa Skolom za specijalno obrazovanje "Milan Petrovic" i Drus