The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Repetitive Behaviors and Task Performance for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and an Intellectual Disability

This study aimed to describe patterns of emergency department use and police interactions, as well as satisfaction with emergency services of 40 adults with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability over 12–18 months. Approximately 42.5% of the sample reported visiting the emergency department and 32.5% reported interactions with police during the study period. Presenting concerns for emergency department use and police interactions varied widely, highlighting the heterogeneous needs of this population. On average, participants reported being dissatisfied with care received in the emergency department while police interactions were rated relatively more favourably.

Download Full-text

iPod Touch® to Increase Functional Communication of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Significant Intellectual Disability

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1088357615612752 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 209-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kaori Nepo ◽

Matt Tincani ◽

Saul Axelrod ◽

Lois Meszaros

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Single Case ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Speech Communication ◽

Functional Communication ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Ipod Touch ◽

Adults With Asd

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and significant intellectual disability (ID) often have limited speech communication abilities. Abundant research supports use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to enhance skills of children with ASD and ID, but less research has examined efficacy of AAC with non-speaking adults. In this study, three adults with ASD and significant ID were taught basic functional communication using the iPod Touch® with MyTalk Mobile® software within a single-case, multiple-probe across-subjects design. The iPod Touch® taught with most-to-least prompting increased participants’ independent manding, participants were able to discriminate between picture symbols, and participants’ manding generalized to a naturalistic setting with typically available preferred items. Implementation of AAC coincided with increases in speech for one participant. Results illustrate how an applied behavior analysis approach incorporating a speech generating device is effective in teaching communication to adults with ASD and significant ID.

Download Full-text

Neurobiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability

10.1093/med/9780190681425.003.0063 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Jesse Costales ◽

Silvia De Rubeis ◽

Jennifer Foss-Feig ◽

Patrick R. Hof ◽

Joseph D. Buxbaum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Adaptive Functioning ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

The Mean ◽

Emerging Themes ◽

Integrate Data

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impairments in social communication, along with the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Approximately half of affected children also suffer from intellectual disability (ID), which is defined by cognitive and adaptive functioning at least two standard deviations below the mean (e.g., standard scores <70). It is now well established that genetic factors are major contributors to both ASD and ID. The following chapter will outline emerging themes and integrate data from human and animal studies using genetic, imaging, and histopathological methods. Emerging findings from studies of the immune system and the microbiome will also be briefly reviewed.

Download Full-text