scholarly journals A Hypothesis of Symbiosis between Humans and Poliovirus as a Critical Evolutionary Step in Human Speciation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Saeed Amin
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anatomically Modern Humans ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Evolutionary Event ◽  
Evolutionary Step ◽  
Mirna Content ◽  
Selection Of

No single evolutionary event has been identified as the cause for the final emergence of our species. I propose that a mutation on CD155 receptor gene occurred to establish a symbiosis with poliovirus, which exerted its beneficial impact via RNA dependent non-genetic transgenerational inheritance, which caused a qualitative enhancement of cognitive functions. I posit that this mutation occurred in what we call, Anatomically Modern Humans, our immediate ancestor species and that the disruption of this symbiosis causes autism spectrum disorder. Positive selection of CD155 to the extent of becoming a species defining characteristic, the chronology of autism spectrum disorder prevalence increase and continued increase, the multigenerational nature of RNA inheritance, the universal infection of humans by poliovirus and a very low associated mortality rate, and several other factors support this hypothesis. Specific genetic, epidemiological and sperm miRNA content studies are suggested to test this hypothesis.

Observational Effects on the Food Preferences of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 108835762095436
Author(s):  
Joseph H. Cihon ◽  
Mary Jane Weiss ◽  
Julia L. Ferguson ◽  
Justin B. Leaf ◽  
Thomas Zane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Observational Learning ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Food Selectivity ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
Learning Procedure ◽  
Reversal Design ◽  
Selection Of

Research addressing food selectivity has involved intrusive techniques such as escape extinction. It is possible that observational learning methods employed in previous studies could provide the desired results with respect to food selectivity without the need for invasive physical interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an observational learning procedure on the selection of food items of three children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Baseline consisted of a simple task after which a choice was presented between high- and low-preferred foods. The intervention consisted of observing an adult engage in the same task and selecting the low-preferred food while making favorable comments and engaging with the food in novel ways. The results of a reversal design demonstrated that selection of the low-preferred food only occurred following the introduction of the intervention, and all three participants engaged in flexible responding as a result of the intervention.

Selection of trustworthy crowd workers for telemedical diagnosis of pediatric autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Washington ◽  
Emilie Leblanc ◽  
Kaitlyn Dunlap ◽  
Yordan Penev ◽  
Maya Varma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Selection Of

Evaluation of employment-support services for adults with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B Nicholas ◽  
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum ◽  
Jennifer Zwicker ◽  
Margaret E Clarke ◽  
Ramesh Lamsal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Support Personnel ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Employment Support ◽  
Vocational Support

The employment rate among persons with autism spectrum disorder has been noted as unacceptably low. Employment-support services are increasingly linked to the potential for favorable job outcomes, yet little is known about employment-support practices and the outcome of these interventions. This mixed-methods study examined employment-support resources for persons with autism spectrum disorder. An online survey was completed by 137 senior clinicians or administrators in employment-support programs in Canada. Additionally, 122 follow-up interviews were conducted with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (n = 71) and their parents/caregivers (n = 51). Findings indicate that the quality and beneficial impact of employment-support services for adults with autism spectrum disorder may be more favorably perceived by employment-support personnel than by individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Furthermore, employment-support personnel were more disparaging about autism spectrum disorder vocational support capacity within their community, compared to their own programs. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families seek services that support both accessing and retaining employment. Capacity-building in employment support for youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder is recommended, based on a reported insufficiency of, and a lack of evidence guiding, existing services. Program recommendations and an emerging model for integrated vocational support in autism spectrum disorder are offered.

Metagnostic Narratives

Metagnosis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 261-297
Author(s):  
Danielle Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Selection Of

This chapter begins Part IV: Looking Forward. It explores a selection of metagnostic stories drawn from memoir and oral history, tracing the narrative trajectory of recognition, subversion, and renegotiation and comparing a range of accounts. First are revelations of autism spectrum disorder, in which individuals absorb a diagnosis in midlife and seek to reconcile it with their experience, often renegotiating the terms of identity, normalcy, and pathology. Second is a discussion of prosopagnosia, and particular experiences understood in the context of an individual’s life experiences. Third is ADHD as a paradigmatic case of contemporary metagnosis, given its changing criteria and prevalence, raising questions concerning medicalization and the role of pharmacology. Fourth is synesthesia—not understood as pathological, but offering a complementary metagnostic example. Throughout, the themes and patterns of these accounts are discussed in relation to the metagnostic narrative arc discussed in Part III.

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