College Students With High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Best Practices for Successful Transition to the World of Work

The transition from college to work is a challenging time for students with autism spectrum disorder. College counselors who understand the challenges students face adjusting to the world of work can position themselves to be change agents for this population. This article illuminates the challenges facing these students to help close the knowledge gap of their career development trajectory. Strategies and best practices to guide these students through successful transition to the world of work are provided.     

A design model: the Autism Spectrum Disorder Classroom Design Kit

Architects and designers have a responsibility to provide an inclusive built environment. However, for those with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the built environment can be a frightening and confusing place, difficult to negotiate and tolerate. The challenge of integrating more fully into society is denied by an alienating built environment. For ASD pupils in a poorly designed school, their environment can distance them from learning. Instead, if more at ease in their surroundings, in an ASD‐friendly environment, the ASD pupil stands a greater chance of doing better. However, a difficulty exists in that most architects are not knowledgeable in designing for those with ASD. Any available design guidelines for architects tend, because of the inherent difficulties associated with a spectrum, to be general in their information. Therefore, in order to provide an ASD‐friendly learning environment, there is a need to ensure that teachers, as the experts, can most clearly and effectively impart their knowledge and requirements to architects. This article, written by Keith McAllister and Barry Maguire, both from Queen's University Belfast, sets out the challenges and difficulties inherent in the design process when designing for those with ASD. It then sets out an alternative strategy to the usual method of drawing‐centric dialogue between teacher and architect by using models instead as a basis for a more common language. An ASD Classroom Design Kit was designed and developed by architecture students at Queen's University Belfast. It was then used by ASD teaching staff from the Southern Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland as a case study to trial its effectiveness. This article outlines how the study was carried out before concluding with reflections by both teaching staff and architect on using the ASD Classroom Design Kit. It is hoped, firstly, that this article will highlight the need for better dialogue between expert and architect when considering ASD and the built environment and, secondly, that it may encourage others to consider using models to convey their ideas and knowledge when designing, not just for ASD, but for other special educational needs and disabilities.     

Note-Taking Instruction for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Using a multiple baseline across participants design, this study examines the functional relationship between instruction in note-taking skills and the ability of young adults with autism spectrum disorder to take notes on college lectures. The three participants were enrolled in a program aligned with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) to support students with significant cognitive disabilities in attending community college classes. All had graduated high school on a special diploma status and had mild cognitive disabilities. Despite some variability in performance during baseline (when only the note-taking template was introduced), all three students demonstrated increased performance during intervention when they were taught skills such as distinguishing between subtopics and details, paraphrasing, and using abbreviations and symbols. Participants’ improvements were maintained after the intervention instruction stopped. Participant Tau-U effect sizes ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, and the weighted average Tau-U effect size was 0.88 (CI₉₅ = 0.53 to 1.24). The discussion addresses implications for the postsecondary participation of students with autism spectrum disorder as well as possible changes needed in their secondary education.     

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。     

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。     

Mindfulness Training: Reducing Anxiety in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Early Childhood Education Journal - Students with ASD frequently experience anxiety disorders as a co-occurring condition (Kent and Simonoff in Anxiety Child Adolesc Autism Spectr Disord....     

Lost in Translation: Public Policies,Evidence-based Practice,and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder have risen dramatically over the past few decades (now estimated at 1:50 children). The estimated total annual cost to the public purse in the United States is US$137 billion, with an individual lifetime cost in the United Kingdom estimated at between £0.8 million and £1.23 million depending on the level of functioning. The United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has enshrined full and equal human rights—for example, for inclusion, education and employment—and there is ample evidence that much can be achieved through adequate support and early intensive behavioural interventions. Not surprisingly, most governments worldwide have devised laws, policies, and strategies to improve services related to autism spectrum disorder, yet intriguingly the approaches differ considerably across the globe. Using Northern Ireland as a case in point, we look at relevant governmental documents and offer international comparisons that illustrate inconsistencies akin to a “postcode lottery” of services.     

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...     

Evaluation of an Innovative Interest-Based Post-School Transition Programme for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

After leaving school, young people with autism spectrum disorder often struggle with social, educational and employment participation. A post-school transition programme underpinned by individualised case management, where mentees are guided to complete self-selected projects by mentors with multimedia skills, was evaluated using a qualitative approach. The programme’s impact on mentees’ social participation, emotional well-being, project skills and awareness of and transition to post-school options was examined. Eleven mentees (17–21 years), 12 family members and 7 mentors participated in semi-structured interviews. Mentors completed fortnightly records. Findings included positive impacts on mentees’ motivation and enjoyment, social participation, emotional well-being and skill development; and an appreciation of the programme flexibility and the high-quality mentor–mentee relationships. Some mentees developed their awareness of future options, while others struggled to articulate their goals. Two of 11 mentees transitioned to further education. Overall, the programme appeared to fulfil a critical need for nurturing, post-school transition programmes.     

上海市自闭谱系障碍儿童早期干预现状调查

研究者选取上海市6所开展自闭谱系障碍儿童早期干预工作的专业教育机构,对其中的46位教师及69位儿童家长进行调查。结果表明,自闭谱系障碍儿童从早期发现到早期评估再到接受早期干预需要经历相当长的时间,仅有27.5%的儿童在3岁前接受了早期干预;教师队伍有待优化;家长虽然对早期干预态度积极,但参与程度有限;儿童每周接受有效干预的时间偏少,干预效果有进一步提高的空间。建议尽快建立并完善自闭谱系障碍儿童早期教育支持体系,配备足量教师并推动教师专业发展,延长儿童接受有效干预的时间,鼓励家长积极参与,以提高干预效果。     

自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工障碍的成因——来自不同理论的解释

通过分析自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工障碍的相关理论,揭示该群体面孔加工障碍的形成原因。首先,自闭症谱系障碍者在面孔加工中对社会刺激感知异常,对面孔缺乏兴趣,忽视面孔;在特定条件下回避眼睛,依靠嘴部进行面孔识别。相关理论有:社交动机假说、眼睛威胁假说和嘴部信息补偿假说。其次,自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工能力不足,面孔加工相关脑区存在功能损伤、加工策略可能异常。相关理论有:加工策略异常假说、社会脑假说。最后,根据自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工障碍的形成原因,提出教学启示。     

自闭症谱系障碍个体社会奖赏加工缺陷的神经机制

自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)是一种以社会交往障碍为主要特征的神经发育障碍,ASD的社会交往障碍与社会动机的缺乏有关,主要表现为社会奖赏加工缺陷.已有的神经影像学、脑电成分和神经化学成分的研究从神经机制上揭示了ASD个体的社会奖赏加工存在缺陷,并且该缺陷发生在奖赏预期阶段,但其非社会奖赏加工能力和奖赏加工阶段是否也存在缺陷没...     

开放教育学生社会支持现状调查

社会支持在开放教育学生的学习以及身心发展的过程中扮演着重要角色。本研究采用社会支持量表对上海开放大学系统589名在校生进行调查,统计发现开放教育学生社会支持总体水平较低,女学生的社会支持利用度显著高于男学生,18-23岁学生的社会支持水平显著低于其他年龄段,已婚有子女的学生社会支持水平显著高于其他组别,非上海农村户籍学生的社会支持水平显著低于其他组别,随着工作年限和收入的增长,社会支持水平显著提高。鉴于此,建议开放教育需要设立提供社会支持的部门,建立相关工作机制,规范班级管理,鼓励学生组织建设等,以此改进开放教育学生社会支持现状,提高开放教育人才培养质量。     

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.     

医科大学生人文素质现状调查

抽样调查医科大学生的人文素质现状 ,学生对人文知识掌握情况和兴趣比综合院校较为缺乏 ,特别是高年级学生。这是由于医科院校专业性强 ,课程重 ,学校重视不够等多种因素造成的。学校应加强对低年级学生的人文知识教育 ,促进学生及院校间的交流 ,提高医科大学生的人文素质和综合素质     

高职工科学生综合职业素质需求的调研分析

社会的发展和科技的进步要求从业者必须具备良好的综合职业素质,但我国现行综合职业素质培养模式并不能完全满足社会的需求。为此,对工科类高职生综合职业素质进行了问卷调查,以了解企业以及工科类学生对职业素质的需求,为加强工科高职生综合职业素质的培养提供科学、客观的参考依据。     

浅谈中师生心理健康教育

中师生心理健康教育是一个综合性的教育过程,这种综合性即体现为多途径、多措施,也体现为多方式、多方法、多手段.中师生心理健康教育应是在科学心理学知识基础上,通过学校各种管理工作,教育、教学活动,优化、美化环境渗透培养,同时也是心理方法的使用和普及的过程.     

Addressing the Needs of Students with Autism and Other Disabilities in China: Perspectives from the Field

Autism is a developmental disability that has gained increasing attention during the past several decades in China. The two case studies presented in this article examined the perspectives of two school leaders on educating students with autism in China. Two school principals, one from a public school and one from a private school, were interviewed during this study using 10 open-ended questions. Responses generated the following areas of discussion: teacher recruitment and training, curriculum and teaching methodology, parental involvement, and factors that contribute to success and present challenges. This study provides the readers with an update from the perspectives of two school leaders on the school system in China for children with disabilities, particularly for students with autism. Implications of the study and further suggestions for future research are also discussed.