Understanding the Lived Experiences of University Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Phenomenological Study

This study sought to describe factors impacting the success of students with ASD in university programmes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather both the students’ personal perspectives of their university experience and the perspectives of a significant person in their life. An interpretative phenomenological approach was utilised to ascertain common factors that contributed or posed a barrier to students experiencing success in their studies. Findings revealed that students with ASD felt their internal influences of determination, perseverance and passion in their areas of academic interests, greatly impacted on their ability to achieve successful outcomes in university, but these factors were always mitigated by the degree to which they experienced anxiety, depression and isolation. Participants also highlighted the importance of mediating factors in helping them to manage their social–emotional needs so they could pursue their interests and achieve success in university programmes.     

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Neurobiology and current assessment practices

This study reviews recent research related to the neurobiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) an provides an empirical analysis of current assessment practices. Data were collected through a survey of 117 school psychologists. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), and Gilliam Asperger's Disorder Scale (GADS) were the most frequently used measures. Among the less popular, but more intensive instruments, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) appears to be gaining popularity within school‐based evaluations. Generally, respondents approached the assessment of ASDs from a traditional psychoeducational perspective and reported the use of a very narrow range of ASD‐specific instruments. Concerns are raised regarding the inconsistent inclusion of developmental questionnaires, parent/guardian interviews, and medical professionals in the ASD evaluation process. Implications for practice and the training of school psychologists are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Supporting students with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) at secondary school: a parent and student perspective

This paper describes a small‐scale research project undertaken in July 2007, which focused on a group of students with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) currently attending a mainstream secondary school. Three focus groups were held with students in Years 9 and 11 and with their parents in order to explore current practice on additional support at secondary school for students with ASD. Several aspects of support at school were positively evaluated by the participants. It also examines how support could be provided in the future to address perceived additional needs. It concludes with several implications for planning for support in the future.     

Cognitive-behavioural Approaches for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Teacher Survey

This study provided an investigation of the knowledge, implementation and perspectives of Australian teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder regarding cognitive-behavioural approaches, using an anonymous survey. The sample of 270 New South Wales teachers reported a reasonable level of knowledge and implementation of strategies commonly employed in interventions using cognitive behavioural approaches. A modest difference was found in the knowledge and implementation of surveyed strategies between teachers with and without formal qualifications in special education. Incongruent with research evidence, the respondents perceived that cognitive-behavioural approaches were suitable for students from a very young age and with cognitive levels from typical intellectual ability to moderate intellectual disability. The respondents also used the surveyed strategies for various purposes over and beyond those reported typically in the research literature. Directions for future research are suggested.     

Assessing Caregiver Stress and Coping at Time of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis

Early Childhood Education Journal - Research and practice emphasize the importance of family involvement in early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, in order to...     

Infant Motor Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Synthesis and Meta-analysis

Studies of infant motor development in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased in recent years. This article synthesized this literature through meta-analysis to assess (a) whether infant motor ability differs in ASD relative to neurotypical controls; and (b) whether motor ability and communication are related in infants with ASD. Study 1 aggregated data from 1,953 infants with ASD (ages 3.0–42.0 months), and Study 2 included 890 infants with ASD (age 6.0–42.9 months). Study 1 revealed that infant motor ability differed significantly in ASD compared with neurotypical infants—this difference was robust to variation in measurement and design. Furthermore, this group difference amplified as age increased. Study 2 indicated that within ASD, infant motor ability and communication are related.     

自闭症谱系障碍自我刺激行为研究综述

自我刺激行为是自闭症的常见行为之一,虽然它不一定是挑战性行为,但是严重的自我刺激行为会损害自闭症的身体,阻碍自闭症的社会性发展.通过对文献的梳理,分析自我刺激行为与挑战性行为、重复刻板行为的关系、自我刺激行为的表现形式及形成原因等,重点探讨自闭症自我刺激行为的干预策略,为今后的研究和干预提供参考.     

美国循证实践在自闭症谱系障碍儿童干预中的应用及其对我国的启示

国际趋势表明自闭症谱系障碍儿童干预方法的有效性需循证实践来检验。美国自闭症干预方法的循证实践过程经历了研究文献筛选、建立证据强度分类系统、干预次级分类系统三个阶段,循证实践结果将当前的自闭症干预方法划分为已经证实有效的方法、正在形成有效的方法、尚未证实的方法。我国自闭症教育研究者及临床工作者应遵循循证实践,科学选择干预方法。     

Action protocol for the use of robotics in students with Autism Spectrum Disoders: A systematic-review

Education and Information Technologies - During the last two decades, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has opened new paths in the intervention of people with Autism...     

孤独症谱系儿童社会交往干预研究———视觉文本干预法研究综述

孤独症谱系儿童的典型特点之一是社会性发展障碍,目前国外有许多针对孤独症谱系儿童的社会交往干预方式,近几年也出现了视觉文本干预方式的研究,因此,需要对视觉文本干预方式的有效性进行分析。通过对国外文献的查询、整理和分析,发现各研究结果均显示出视觉文本干预能够增加儿童积极的沟通行为,社会交往也能够泛化到新的同伴、新的环境以及新的刺激当中。     

Co‐operative Learning for Children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Mainstream and Special Class Settings: An exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a cooperative learning (CL) intervention on the levels of social and task engagement of a child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) conducted in a mainstream class setting and a child with ASD implemented in a special needs class setting. The target children were two 8‐year‐old boys diagnosed with high functioning autism. Both children were placed in CL groups which included three typically developing peers, one male and two females. Four baseline sessions taught in a traditional teaching format and seven CL intervention sessions based on a “learning together/conceptual approach” took place. All sessions were recorded for video analysis. CL was found to be successful in substantially increasing the level of social engagement for both the child in the special needs class and the child in the mainstream class. CL was not found to facilitate task engagement. Active task engagement was found to remain relatively stable and passive task engagement was found to decrease for one child and remain stable for the other. Teacher concerns and issues relating to the practical implementation of CL in both settings are discussed.     

自闭症谱系障碍儿童家长参与课题研究:影响因素和改进策略

近年来,人们越来越多地推动自闭症儿童家长有意义地参与科学研究.这种参与式研究能够更好地满足自闭症谱系障碍儿童及其家庭的评估和干预需求.从自闭症儿童自身特征、家庭因素、研究课题本身等方面分析影响家长参与课题研究的因素,基于对影响因素的综合分析,分别从家长及研究者层面提出相关对策建议,以促进家长更积极、更深入地参与课题研究...     

自闭症谱系障碍个体的注意偏向及其神经机制

自闭症谱系障碍(Autism Spectrum Disorder,ASD)个体在面孔识别过程中,会对眼睛区域产生注意回避,这可能与其杏仁核的过度激活、皮层下通路的损害、小脑形态的异常有关。ASD个体能够识别熟悉面孔,但是,其存在一种处理熟悉面孔的独特网络,调节梭状回的系统可能存在缺陷,使得对熟悉面孔的识别较普通个体低。ASD个体对威胁性自然刺激产生注意困难,可能与其前额叶皮层的功能连接异常有关;对威胁性社交刺激特别是愤怒的情绪面孔,会产生注意警觉和注意回避,而其中高焦虑的ASD个体却不会像焦虑障碍者一样对威胁性的社交性刺激产生注意困难,ASD个体焦虑背后的神经机制与其注意偏向没有显著的关系。     

Interventions and Adaptations for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Inclusive Early Childhood Settings

The inclusive education of children with disabilities is considered best practice, yet many early childhood educators feel unprepared to deliver appropriate instruction for children with disabilities and often require supports to successfully meet the children’s unique needs. Young children experiencing autism spectrum disorder are being diagnosed at a young age and they are commonly receiving their education within inclusive early childhood settings. This article presents two methods to meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder. First, early childhood educators can provide interventions tailored to the children’s learning needs. Second, educators can adapt the environment, materials, activity, instruction, and assistance they provide so that each child is appropriately supported, while still being encouraged to succeed as independently as possible. This article summarizes research-based interventions and adaptations that early childhood educators can implement within inclusive settings to meet the diverse needs of young children with autism spectrum disorder and presents a case study to describe how these practices can support young children with autism spectrum disorder within inclusive settings.     

Partners in School: An Innovative Parent-Teacher Consultation Model for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT

Little research examines the best ways to improve communication between parents and teachers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its effect on child outcomes. The present study tests an innovative parent-teacher consultation model, entitled Partners in School. The goal of Partners in School is to improve parent-teacher communication about evidence-based practices (EBPs) and, subsequently, outcomes for children with ASD. Participants were 26 teachers and 49 parents of children with ASD from a large urban public school district. Parents and teachers completed measures of their communication and child outcomes prior to and after receiving consultation through Partners in School. Results indicated that parents and teachers perceived improvements in child outcomes after participation in Partners in School. Changes in parent-teacher communication also were associated with changes in some child outcomes. Discussion highlights the important role of communication in consultations targeting family–school partnerships for children with ASD.