Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-74
Author(s):  
Mary Barrett ◽  
Traolach S. Brugha
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Ability ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Social Imagination ◽  
Cognitive Difficulties ◽  
The World ◽  
Associated Conditions ◽  
Core Condition

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a triad of impairments encompassing differences in social interaction, social communication, social imagination, and difficulties in adjusting behavioural repertoire. Other common features include sensory differences, which are now becoming acknowledged as a core component, as well as dietary and sleep difficulties. ASD affects people across the whole range of intellectual ability—from individuals with associated severe ID through to highly skilled engineers and academics; however, each person affected experiences difficulties understanding the world and impaired social functioning due to underlying common core cognitive difficulties, namely lack of Theory of Mind, resulting in empathy difficulties, lack of Central Coherence, making it ‘difficult to see the wood for the trees’ and difficulties with Executive Functioning. Genetic factors play an important role in causation, likely coupled with an early environmental insult. ASD is more common in people with ID, with around one third of those with moderate to severe ID able to be diagnosed; epilepsy is another common association. Comorbidity is common, including neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD), psychiatric disorders (e.g. mood and anxiety disorders), and challenging behaviour, all requiring recognition in their own right. Management of the core condition primarily focuses on appropriate social and education/employment support along with awareness training for those supporting the person, with medication reserved for associated conditions such as management of mood. Capacity and risk issues arising from difficulties understanding the world, predicting consequences of actions and accepting the need for support also need addressing. Effective management of associated difficulties such as sleep disturbance can be equally vital for quality of life.

Virtual Reality (VR) for School Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

2019 ◽  
pp. 141-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Guazzaroni ◽  
Anitha S. Pillai
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
School Children ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
The World ◽  
Training And Support

Various medical and technological organizations are working on the development of unconventional solutions such as therapy and assistance for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Different organizations, researchers and educators have been involved in the study and realization of virtual reality (VR) solutions to be used as therapy, training, and support for these individuals. Previous researches and experiments showed that it is possible to ameliorate the level of concentration, coordination, socialization, communication, self-awareness, and memory in school children treated with these tools. VR environments may offer a total physical involvement of the ASDs that may see the world through virtual immersion and active practice. This chapter presents a way of rethinking teaching and learning.

Understanding Cognition and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-86
Author(s):  
Alice M. Hammel ◽  
Ryan M. Hourigan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Joint Attention ◽  
Music Cognition ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Students With Autism

One of the most unique attributes of students with autism is the distinct way they think. This chapter sheds light on the cognitive world of students with autism in the music classroom. The following topics are included: theory of mind; central coherence; executive function; joint attention (and cognition); and music cognition and students with autism.

Blended cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents with panic disorder co-morbid with autism spectrum disorder: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayo Hamatani ◽  
Kazuki Matsumoto ◽  
Yukihiko Shirayama
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Visual Aid

Abstract Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for improving anxiety symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, some patients with ASD take extra time for learning, and they can find it hard to change their thinking styles and behaviour due to cognitive deficits. The therapist must be creative when implementing CBT in this context. Here, it may be helpful for the patient with ASD to understand CBT’s concepts by using visual aid material. Blended CBT during which the patient is shown visual aid material with his or her therapist has been suggested as effective for adults without ASD to reduce anxiety. Blended CBT combines face-to-face treatment with internet guided support and resource. Blended CBT may facilitate an understanding of essential knowledge and help people with ASD and anxiety acquire skills based on cognitive behavioural science. However, as far as we know, no previous studies have reported on the use of blended CBT for patients with panic disorder co-morbid with ASD. This study, therefore, consecutively performed 16 blended CBT sessions on a biweekly basis to treat panic disorder (PD) in an adolescent Japanese female co-morbid with ASD. The patient exhibited improvements in PD symptoms and agoraphobia after treatment: the Panic Disorder Severity Scale score decreased from 18 to 2. These results indicate that visual aid-assisted treatment may help patients with impaired imagination and social cognition related to ASD. Furthermore, this study’s therapist notes the need for paced treatments and repeated psychoeducation for patients with impairments in central coherence and cognitive flexibility. Key learning aims (1) Blended CBT may patients with panic disorder (PD) co-morbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to understand concepts based on cognitive behavioural science and symptoms. (2) Blended CBT sessions can each be conducted in approximately 20 min (about one-third of the time needed for typical 45- to 90-min CBT sessions); in other words, it is less burdensome for the patient and therapist. (3) How to adjust blended CBT for those who have low average intelligence quotients (IQ) and/or ASD.

scholarly journals English As Secondary Language Learning and Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Obstacles in Teaching and Learning the Language

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
Haida Umiera Hashim ◽  
Melor Md Yunus ◽  
Helmi Norman
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
The World

To this date, there has been an increasing number of children across the globe diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. There has been much literature that discussed the issues and obstacles common learners face in their English language learning journey. Yet, not much spotlight and acknowledgment were given to the learners with Autism in their voyage of English language learning. In conjunction to that, this paper intends to investigate the obstacles that the learners with Autism face in their English as secondary language learning. In addition to that, teachers are not to be forgotten as teachers are also believed to be playing a role in learners with Autism’s English as a second language(ESL) learning process which is why this research also intends to investigate the challenges faced by the teachers who are in charge of teaching learners with Autism. A qualitative research with the observation and interview as the instruments represents this research. This research involved two Autism Centres located in an urban area in Malaysia. The observation and interviews were conducted with forty-five learners with Autism and fourteen teachers. The findings have gathered that the world of Autism Spectrum Disorder is indeed full of obstacles and challenges but none that could not be overcome. It is believed that this research will provide a better insight of the real world of ESL teaching and learning among learners with Autism. Discussions and recommendations are further explained in this research.

Self-reported motivations for offending by autistic sexual offenders

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy-Louise Payne ◽  
Katie Maras ◽  
Ailsa J Russell ◽  
Mark J Brosnan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Relationship Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Effective Interventions

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder estimated to have elevated prevalence in forensic populations (approximately 4.5%). It has been suggested that offenders with autism spectrum disorder engage more frequently in crimes against the person and sexual offences than other types of offences such as property, driving and drug offences. To date little is empirically known about the reasons why autistic individuals engage in sexual offences, yet understanding the motivation(s) for offending are key to developing and implementing effective interventions to help reduce both initial offending and also re-offending. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic sexual offenders in prisons and probation services across England and Wales. Thematic analyses revealed five main themes (social difficulties, misunderstanding, sex and relationship deficits, inadequate control and disequilibrium). Analyses indicated that social skills difficulties, lack of perspective/weak central coherence, misunderstanding the seriousness of their behaviours and a lack of appropriate relationships were the main reasons for offending reported by this group of autistic sexual offenders. Findings highlight a need to develop sex and relationship education interventions which are tailored to the needs of autistic individuals, to address both their reported reasons for offending and their reported lack of sexual knowledge and awareness.

Seeing and communicating: photography and young male adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 147035722091743
Author(s):  
Uschi Klein
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Research Findings

Digital photography is deeply embedded in people’s daily lives, as camera phones and digital compact cameras are widely used in social and cultural settings. People have an increased agency and choice over what they want to photograph, where and when; many people carry their smartphones everywhere and share their images instantly via social media platforms. Within the recent scholarship on everyday photography, however, little attention has been paid to the photographic practices of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), one of many marginalized groups whose photography has not been explored. This article addresses this shortfall. Drawing on a qualitative, image-based investigation, the author turns to phenomenology to examine four young male ASD adults’ unique ways of seeing and being-in-the-world as expressed through the use of their camera. Their involvement indicates that ASD people have the potential to have a powerful voice in how society conceives of what autism is and what it means to live with ASD. A case study discussion of key research findings presents examples of the pictures taken in the sphere of participants’ everyday lives, revealing that the camera acts as an extension of experience and perception, a mediator and filter. Photography enables the four male ASD individuals’ being-in-the-world and exposes the social life of this marginalized group. The article offers a significant contribution to the field of visual communication and sensory experience.

Family Perspectives on Social-Cognitive Impairment in Verbal Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-452
Author(s):  
Kristen T. MacKenzie ◽  
Carla A. Mazefsky ◽  
Nancy J. Minshew ◽  
Shaun M. Eack
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Ability ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Family Perspectives ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Caregiver Report

Social-cognitive challenges in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often assessed using caregiver report or performance-based instruments. This study compared caregiver report and performance-based measures of social cognition to examine convergence. A total of 128 verbal individuals with ASD were administered performance-based tests of social cognition assessing theory of mind, and one family member completed a measure of social cognition. Caregiver reports of social cognition were weakly and not significantly correlated with performance-based test scores. Caregiver- and performance-based measures converged for children compared with adults and for participants with lower intellectual ability. More research is needed to develop social-cognitive measures that incorporate caregiver perspectives and are robust across individuals with ASD of all ages and levels of intellectual functioning.

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