Sustainability of Adaptive Life Skills Learned: What Happens After Groups End?

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512510268p1-7512510268p1
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Grant ◽  
Shirley O'Brien ◽  
Geela Spira ◽  
Scott Tomchek
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Transition Into Adulthood ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This project brings to our attention OT's important role in meeting the ever-changing service needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition into adulthood. Comparative analysis of pretest, posttest, and maintenance assessment scores offers insight into changes and begins an important discussion of how we can improve and sustain adaptive life skills in adolescents with ASD for the long-term goal of changing their trajectory for greater independence. Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Grant Additional Authors and Speakers: Shirley O'Brien, Geela Spira Contributing Authors: Scott Tomchek

Emotion Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2018 ◽  
pp. 282-298
Author(s):  
Emily Neuhaus
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Although current diagnostic conceptualizations of ASD do not include emotional difficulties as core deficits, the disorder is associated with emotion dysregulation across the lifespan, with considerable implications for long-term psychological, social, and educational outcomes. The overarching goal of this chapter is to integrate existing knowledge of emotion dysregulation in ASD and identify areas for further investigation. The chapter reviews the prevalence and expressions of emotion dysregulation in ASD, discusses emerging theoretical models that frame emotion dysregulation as an inherent (rather than associated) feature of ASD, presents neurobiological findings and mechanisms related to emotion dysregulation in ASD, and identifies continuing controversies and resulting research priorities.

025 Sleep Disruption on an Orbital Shaker alters Glutamate in Prairie Vole Prefrontal Cortex

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A11-A12
Author(s):  
Carolyn Jones ◽  
Randall Olson ◽  
Alex Chau ◽  
Peyton Wickham ◽  
Ryan Leriche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Prairie Vole ◽  
Sleep Disruption ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Orbital Shaker

Abstract Introduction Glutamate concentrations in the cortex fluctuate with the sleep wake cycle in both rodents and humans. Altered glutamatergic signaling, as well as the early life onset of sleep disturbances have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. In order to study how sleep modulates glutamate activity in brain regions relevant to social behavior and development, we disrupted sleep in the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) rodent species and quantified markers of glutamate neurotransmission within the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain responsible for advanced cognition and complex social behaviors. Methods Male and female prairie voles were sleep disrupted using an orbital shaker to deliver automated gentle cage agitation at continuous intervals. Sleep was measured using EEG/EMG signals and paired with real time glutamate concentrations in the prefrontal cortex using an amperometric glutamate biosensor. This same method of sleep disruption was applied early in development (postnatal days 14–21) and the long term effects on brain development were quantified by examining glutamatergic synapses in adulthood. Results Consistent with previous research in rats, glutamate concentration in the prefrontal cortex increased during periods of wake in the prairie vole. Sleep disruption using the orbital shaker method resulted in brief cortical arousals and reduced time in REM sleep. When applied during development, early life sleep disruption resulted in long-term changes in both pre- and post-synaptic components of glutamatergic synapses in the prairie vole prefrontal cortex including increased density of immature spines. Conclusion In the prairie vole rodent model, sleep disruption on an orbital shaker produces a sleep, behavioral, and neurological phenotype that mirrors aspects of autism spectrum disorder including altered features of excitatory neurotransmission within the prefrontal cortex. Studies using this method of sleep disruption combined with real time biosensors for excitatory neurotransmitters will enhance our understanding of modifiable risk factors, such as sleep, that contribute to the altered development of glutamatergic synapses in the brain and their relationship to social behavior. Support (if any) NSF #1926818, VA CDA #IK2 BX002712, Portland VA Research Foundation, NIH NHLBI 5T32HL083808-10, VA Merit Review #I01BX001643

Overview of a Life Skills Coaching Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Coaches’ Perspectives

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412199102
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Hillier ◽  
Nataliya Poto ◽  
David Schena ◽  
Jessica Dorey ◽  
Abigail Buckingham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Program Staff ◽  
Preliminary Examination ◽  
Effective Service ◽  
Insight Into

There is considerable need to identify effective service provision models to support adults on the autism spectrum as they seek to lead independent lives. This study outlines an individualized life skills coaching program for adults with autism, “LifeMAP”, and the experiences and perspectives of the coaches. Responses on a tailored questionnaire provided detailed insight into how the coaches were performing their job, the strategies they utilized, reasons for client success and difficulty, challenges faced by the coaches, and ways they were supported by program staff. Coaches’ job self-efficacy and satisfaction were also examined. This study serves as a preliminary examination of individualized coaching for adults with autism from the coaches’ perspective.

scholarly journals Fleeting: a Novel Ultrasonic Vocalization in Mice That Allows to Define Altered Developmental Milestones in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Ferreira ◽  
Sofia Santos ◽  
João Martins ◽  
Miguel Castelo-Branco ◽  
Joana Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Ultrasonic Vocalizations ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gradual Loss ◽  
Major Mode ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
Communication Impairments ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Time Point

Abstract A major mode of rodent communication occurs through ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are influenced by environmental factors, mouse strain or genetic background and, importantly, by developmental stage. However, few studies have looked into the age-dependent evolution of spectral features of mouse USVs. Here, we report the existence of a novel vocalization, previously unreported, which we named “Fleeting” consisting of two acoustic elements produced with a narrow silent temporal interval between them. Strikingly, this vocalization pattern was extinguished after the second postnatal week, and this temporal pattern was associated with increased emission of Complex vocalizations, by gradual loss of the inter-element interval, suggesting a maturation process occurring at this time point. Importantly, the Fleeting vocalization was analyzed in a mouse model (Tsc2+/-) of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and showed an abnormal persistence, in particular in females which presented delayed conversion of Fleeting into Complex vocalizations compared with males. The identification of this novel vocalization represents an important insight into the maturation of mouse vocal repertoire and may be used as a developmental milestone in studies on neurodevelopmental disorders with communication impairments.

Relationships Between the Participation Levels of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Time They Spend in Resource Rooms in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512510287p1-7512510287p1
Author(s):  
Chiao-Ju Fang
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Inclusive Settings ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Resource Rooms ◽  
Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The aim of this study was to help educators and clinicians better understand how the amount of time children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) spend in resource rooms affects their participation levels in inclusive educational settings in Taiwan. No statistically significant relationships were found. This study provides professionals with a model for assessing how resource rooms impact the participation levels of children with ASD in inclusive settings. Primary Author and Speaker: Chiao-Ju Fang

Effect of a Two-Caregiver-Mediated, Occupation-Centered Intervention for a Family With a Toddler With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512515297p1-7512515297p1
Author(s):  
Abigail M. Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Coaching Approach ◽  
Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented 04/13/21 Because of the key role parenting plays in a child's development, parent-mediated interventions that train one parent are a common approach to intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, this approach has resulted in mixed findings and may lead to increased parental stress. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a two-parent occupation-centered intervention using a coaching approach improved the quality of social interactions of a family with a toddler with ASD. Primary Author and Speaker: Abigail M. Carroll Contributing Authors: Emily Anderson, Lindsey Hatton, Mary Ferarro, Elyse C. Kelly, Katherine E. Schlager, Amanda Shea, and Kerianne Watlington

scholarly journals Insight into Informant Discrepancies Regarding Psychosexual Functioning of Adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-501
Author(s):  
Linda P. Dekker ◽  
Kirsten Visser ◽  
Esther J.M. Vegt ◽  
Athanasios Maras ◽  
Jan Ende ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Informant Discrepancies ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Psychosexual Functioning
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