Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Clin Pediatr. Dec 9, 2026; 15(4): 120813
Published online Dec 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.120813
Assistive devices for mobility and communication in autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study on disability management
Rita Chiaramonte, Matteo Cioni, Michele Vecchio, Francesco Leonforte, Antonio Mistretta, Giuseppe Laganga Senzio, Tamara Civello
Rita Chiaramonte, Matteo Cioni, Michele Vecchio, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Sicilia, Italy
Rita Chiaramonte, Department of Rehabilitation, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale, Catania 95100, Sicilia, Italy
Michele Vecchio, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, AOU Policlinico G Rodolico, Catania 95100, Sicilia, Italy
Francesco Leonforte, Department of Integrated Hygiene, Organizational, and Service Activities, Health Management, University Hospital Polyclinic “G Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania 95121, Italy
Antonio Mistretta, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Sicilia, Italy
Antonio Mistretta, Scientific Communication Service, National Institute of Public Health, Rome 00161, Lazio, Italy
Giuseppe Laganga Senzio, Tamara Civello, General Directorate, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale of Catania, Catania 95100, Sicilia, Italy
Author contributions: Chiaramonte R, Cioni M, Vecchio M, Leonforte F, and Mistretta A contributed to conceptualization; Chiaramonte R and Civello T contributed to methodology and investigation; Chiaramonte R, Laganga Senzio G, and Civello T contributed to software, data curation, project administration; Chiaramonte R, Cioni M, Vecchio M, Leonforte F, Mistretta A, Laganga Senzio G, and Civello T contributed to validation and visualization; Chiaramonte R and Cioni M contributed to formal analysis; Chiaramonte R, Cioni M, and Vecchio M contributed to writing original draft preparation, writing-review and editing; Vecchio M, Mistretta A, and Laganga Senzio G contributed to supervision; and all authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI tools were used in the stages of draft preparation to improve language clarity and readability. The manuscript was subsequently reviewed and revised by a professional language editor, and the corresponding certificate has been provided. The manuscript was not AI-generated: All scientific content, including study design, data analysis, and interpretation, was developed by the authors. AI tools were used only for language polishing. No AI tools were involved in the design of the study or in the interpretation of the results. No images of the manuscript were generated using AI.
Institutional review board statement: The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Ethics Committee “Catania 2” (protocol No. 92/CEL).
Informed consent statement: The study did not involve direct participation of patients or human subjects, but exclusively the analysis of anonymized and aggregated data from existing databases, with no information that could allow the identification of individual patients. The Data Protection Officer of the Local Health Authority verified all study procedures complied with the applicable data protection regulations (EU Regulation 2016/679 – GDPR) (protocol 56540/2026).
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement-checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: The data used in this study are confidentially available, although in aggregate and anonymous form, upon motivated request. Public sharing of data is not permitted due to institutional regulations on the use of health databases.
Corresponding author: Rita Chiaramonte, MD, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Department of Biome
dical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, Catania 95100, Sicilia, Italy.
ritachiaramd@gmail.com
Received: March 9, 2026
Revised: April 11, 2026
Accepted: April 21, 2026
Published online: December 9, 2026
Processing time: 196 Days and 11.3 Hours
BACKGROUND
Assistive devices are crucial for supporting communication and mobility for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
AIM
To investigate the provision of assistive devices for children and adolescents with ASD in a metropolitan area of Southern Italy, with specific focus on communication and mobility aids.
METHODS
The study analysed specialist prescriptions to evaluate age distribution and device allocation in different healthcare districts, the specialty of the prescribing physicians, and integration with rehabilitation services.
RESULTS
A total of 120 prescriptions were analysed, and the peak prescription rates occurred at the ages 7 years and 10 years. Child neurologists predominantly prescribed communication aids (P = 0.009), while physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists managed most mobility-related devices (P = 0.29). Device allocation was guided by functional needs rather than age (P = 0.73 for communication aids, P = 0.45 for wheelchairs, and P = 0.37 for gait aids, such as orthosis or insoles. Rehabilitation services, including home care and residential programs, were frequently integrated with device provision.
CONCLUSION
This study provides one of the few evaluations of assistive device prescription patterns for children and adolescents with ASD, which are important for both holistic care and healthcare resource management. Further studies are warranted to establish standardized prescribing protocols and whether expanding prescriber training or implementing interdisciplinary pathways could improve equitable access without compromising quality.
Core Tip: Access to assistive technologies and rehabilitation services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains poorly documented in real-world healthcare systems. In this cross-sectional study conducted in a large metropolitan area, prescription patterns for communication and mobility aids were analyzed together with access to rehabilitation services. About one third of children with ASD receiving assistive devices were enrolled in rehabilitation centres, mostly in outpatient or community-based programs. Child neurologists mainly prescribed communication aids, while Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists managed mobility devices. These findings highlight the importance of integrated clinical and rehabilitation pathways and may inform service planning in other healthcare systems facing similar organizational challenges.
