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Neuroqueering Art Therapy: Bringing Neurodivergent Gender Diversity Into The Creative Arts Therapy Room: A Literature Review, Avital Eisen

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Recent research across disciplines has established the significance of the overlap between neurodivergence and gender diversity, a truth long espoused by the community. Acting on this research, some mental health disciplines have begun addressing neurodivergent transgender and gender diverse people as a unified population in their research, but the field of art therapy has not yet followed suit. Theoretical frameworks of intersectionality, queer theory, and disability justice highlight the importance of centering the unique experiences and needs of neurodivergent gender diversity. Using these frameworks, this literature review synthesizes community knowledge with art therapy research on both neurodivergence and gender diversity, …

Relationship Between Caregiver Burden And Socioeconomic Status, Nikitha Pappachen, Maithri Goud

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In this study, caregiver burden measures the psychosocial strain a caregiver experiences as a result of caring for a person with autism. In addition, this study focuses on the effect of socioeconomic status on caregiver burden. A previous study found an association between lower primary caregiver education level and more sleep problems for children with autism³. Thus, the finding focuses on the child with autism as opposed to the caregiver burden. Other studies focus on elements that affect caregiver burden such as sleep quality, mental health, and cultural aspects. If it is known that socioeconomic status significantly affects …

Qualitative Development Of Items For A Young Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder Screener, David Roehm

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits across multiple domains such as deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. The prevalence of ASD has increased over time, and while there are ample screeners and assessments for children, there is a distinct lack of screeners for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years. The present study focused on exploring the gap in screeners for ASD in young adults and assessing the insight of experts in the field toward the development of a screener for ASD in young adults. Participants (N = …

A Story Of Hope: How A Community Project Is Transforming The Lives Of Filipino Children With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Lance Vincent C. Sese, Ma Celina L. Guillermo

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

The issue of social inequality became more prevalent during the pandemic and with it, the call for preferential option toward the vulnerable. 1 Not only do we protect them from sickness and death, but we are also called to improve their quality of life. Thus, it is imperative that in this call for inclusivity, we address the gap, one group at a time—for example, children with special needs. The project discussed in this perspective article exemplifies the importance of collaboration in bridging the gap to create a more holistic environment for Filipino children with special needs. This article then serves …

After Being Ignored, Autistic Adults Find Their Place On The Spectrum, Leonardo A. Lopez Carreno

Capstones

Autistic adults have been historically ignored by researchers and clinical psychologists when discussing autism spectrum disorder. But the broadening of the diagnosis requirements for the disorder, as well as the perspectives from autistic adults that have been shared on social media, have made it so that autistic adults are being discussed more now than ever before, both in the autism community and among professionals in the field. This project puts together interviews with autistic people who have found communities online and in person, as well as the perspectives of researchers who have published studies about autism.

https://medium.com/@leonardolpezcarreo/after-being-ignored-autistic-adults-find-their-place-on-the-spectrum-6e131fc00796

Early Intervention In Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Need For An International Approach, Amina Abubakar, Patricia Kipkemoi

Institute for Human Development

Globally, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 100 children. Ideally, a diagnosis is made with the onset of symptoms before 3 years of age; however, a diagnosis may sometimes be delayed until 6 years or later. There has been an increase in ASD research over the last few decades, with many systematic reviews and meta-analyses synthesizing research evidence for ASD interventions in children. Evidence tends to support the notion that intervention for ASD must occur as early as possible, close to the critical periods when early social and communication skills are developing. Therefore, early screening and intervention could …

A Music-Therapy Robotic Platform For Children With Autism: A Pilot Study, Huanghao Feng, Mohammad H. Mahoor, Francesca Dino

Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Scholarship

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication skills including motor control, turn-taking, and emotion recognition. Innovative technology, such as socially assistive robots, has shown to be a viable method for Autism therapy. This paper presents a novel robot-based music-therapy platform for modeling and improving the social responses and behaviors of children with ASD. Our autonomous social interactive system consists of three modules. Module one provides an autonomous initiative positioning system for the robot, NAO, to properly localize and play the instrument (Xylophone) using the robot’s arms. Module two allows NAO to play customized songs …

Crisis Intervention Team Training On Autism Among Female Cit-Trained Police Officers, Julie Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this qualitative case study was the lack of documentation that supports the perceptions and experiences of crisis intervention team (CIT) trained female police officers related to their encounters with persons with mental illness (PwMI) with autism. Using Giles’s communicative accommodation theory (CAT), the purpose of this study examined the perceptions of CIT-trained female police officers of PwMI with autism during encounters. Giles’s CAT was aligned closest with the teachings of CIT training. Seven participants provided data which comprised of completed questionnaires and transcribed interviews. The method of analysis used was a combination of inductive coding and …

Identifying Functional Profiles Of Challenging Behaviors In Autism Spectrum Disorder With Unsupervised Machine Learning, Emily Daskas

Computational and Data Sciences (MS) Theses

Machine learning and deep learning methods are becoming increasingly used in the understanding, identification, and improvement of the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. People with ASD often exemplify challenging behaviors that can put their safety, education, and general quality of life at risk. Challenging behaviors are driven by one of four functions. The combination of common occurrences of challenging behaviors and their respective behavioral functions are unique to the individual and circumstance, and the most successful therapies account for both challenging behaviors and their respective functions. Therefore, it is important that research is done on these concepts to …

Investigating Gene-Environment Interaction In A Double-Hit Model For Autism Spectrum Disorder, Melvin Maroon

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

With the exponential advancements seen in the field of sequencing technology, the science community has come to identify hundreds of potential genetic risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite our knowledge that such risk factors exist, we have yet to understand their specific influences on the behavioral profile of an individual. In addition, maternal infection during pregnancy can have longstanding detrimental outcomes on a child’s development. This is especially impactful with the present threat of viral infection during the pandemic. Our study aims to understand the influence of a specific genetic and environmental factor on a preclinical rodent model’s behavioral development. …

Unsupervised Machine Learning For Identifying Challenging Behavior Profiles To Explore Cluster-Based Treatment Efficacy In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Retrospective Data Analysis Study, Julie Gardner-Hoag, Marlena N. Novack, Chelsea Parlett-Pelleriti, Elizabeth Stevens, Dennis Dixon, Erik Linstead

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Challenging behaviors are prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder; however, research exploring the impact of challenging behaviors on treatment response is lacking.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify types of autism spectrum disorder based on engagement in different challenging behaviors and evaluate differences in treatment response between groups.

Methods: Retrospective data on challenging behaviors and treatment progress for 854 children with autism spectrum disorder were analyzed. Participants were clustered based on 8 observed challenging behaviors using k means, and multiple linear regression was performed to test interactions between skill mastery and treatment …

Challenges For Children And Adolescents With Autism And Their Families During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Orsolya Pachner, Gabor Aranyi

Journal of Global Awareness

The restrictions and lockdown measures implemented in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have posed a pronounced risk to the mental health of people with autism and their families. We discuss specific difficulties affecting children and adolescents with autism and their families during the pandemic, drawing on a broad range of recently published research in many countries and regions. A global perspective is adopted to provide an overview of the state of affairs and identify good practices. We consider challenges in four areas: research and practice related to autism, challenges facing children and adolescents with autism, specific difficulties in their education …

An Evaluation Of Wayfinding Abilities In Adolescent And Young Adult Males With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Yingying Yang, Weijia Li, Dan Huang, Wei He, Yanxi Zhang, Edward Merrill

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Wayfinding refers to traveling from place to place in the environment. Despite some research headway, it remains unclear whether individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show strengths, weaknesses, or similarities in wayfinding compared with ability-matched typically developing (TD) controls.

Method

The current study tested 24 individuals with ASD, 24 mental-ability (MA) matched TD (MA-TD) controls, and 24 chronological-age (CA) matched TD (CA-TD) controls. Participants completed a route learning task and a survey learning task, both programmed in virtual environments, and a perspective taking task. Their parents completed questionnaires assessing their children’s everyday wayfinding activities and competence.

Results

Overall, CA-TD …

Parent/ Caregiver Burnout With Autism Due To Covid, Leah Recker, Erin Babcock

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project is to gain an understanding how parents of children with autism are affected by caregiver burnout. We want to understand the different factors that contribute to this burnout and analyze how individuals are affected differently. To do this, we are sending

out a survey using Likert scale items to assess parents’ stress and burnout. We will be carefully selecting statements based off information we gather through peer reviewed journal articles. We would then like the parents to decide how strongly they agree or disagree with each question. This will create a more in-depth picture of …

Parent Training For Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shamaila Ijaz, Farwa Rafaq, Sonia Ijaz Haider

Department for Educational Development

Objective: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of behaviour therapy training to mothers of autistic children on verbal and non-verbal improvement of their children.
Methods: A total of 33 mothers of autistic children were selected for training based on non-probability purposive sampling procedure. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge Scale was used to assess mothers' knowledge about autism and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale was used for assessment of the communication skill in autistic children.
Results: This study revealed that behaviour therapy training significantly improved communication skills of children with autism by training mothers. The results …

Predictors Of Positive Outcomes In Treating Individuals Diagnosed With Idd And Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders, Jacob Omondi Wasonga

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of a new treatment protocol, the systemic treatment plan (STP) by identifying the predictors of positive treatment outcomes for individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and comorbid mental health conditions. This study examined the relationship between challenging behaviors, psychiatric conditions, and positive treatment outcomes for individuals with IDD and co-occurring disorders, particularly those individuals whose treatment was driven by the STP. A linear regression analysis was conducted to determine which challenging behaviors and psychiatric disorders best predict positive outcomes in systemically engaged treatment. The results from this study …

Overcoming Challenges In The Assessment And Treatment Of Problem Behavior In Adults With Autism, Julia A. Iannaccone

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Problematic behaviors, such as self-injurious behavior or aggression, demonstrated by adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), create many significant life complications, some life-threatening. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is established as an evidence-based approach to treat problem behavior for children with ASD and shows promise as an effective treatment for adults, yet little research has been conducted within the adult population. Assessment and treatment of problem behavior with adults is often challenging due to funding limitations, increased severity and complexity of problem behavior, and underqualified staff. The purpose of the present study was to overcome these challenges by (1) identifying a …

The Effect Of Grooming And Therapeutic Riding By Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder On Equine Salivary Cortisol Concentrations, Morgan Shields

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

The use of horses in therapeutic riding programs, especially for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has grown, yet the impact of grooming and riding on equine stress levels remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of grooming and therapeutic riding on salivary cortisol concentrations of 10 horses in a therapeutic riding program. Samples were taken pre and post over two control and grooming days and over two series of nine therapeutic riding lessons for adolescents with ASD. On grooming days, each horse was groomed using a set protocol. On riding days, horses were ridden …

Creative Arts-Based Parents Training Program For Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jung Eun Park

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study evaluated the impact of the Creative Arts-based Parents’ Training (CAPT) program. The 6-week long, creative arts therapy-based program and its impact on parental stress and sense of competence for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was examined. Korean Parenting Stress Index Short-Form (K-PSI-SF) and Korean-Parenting Efficacy Test (K-PET) were used as quantitative measurements. Qualitative data were also collected for the experimental group (n = 17) using questionnaires, art journaling, and a 30 min focus group interview. The control group (n = 15) only participated in quantitative measurements. There was no difference in age between …

Informal Caregivers’ Of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Experiences Of Social Inclusion Policy In The Province Of Ontario, Heather L.M. Church

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Social inclusion for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a widely

accepted social value. Policy implementation impacts on health, experience of inclusion and on individuals and caregivers.

Method. This study used a qualitative directed content analysis to analyse the needs, care, services and policy which influence the care and support of adults with ASD in the Province of Ontario. Caregivers of adults with ASD were interviewed to determine: a) how the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008, is experienced and b) has influenced how they and their loved ones with …

A Virtual Reality System For Practicing Conversation Skills For Children With Autism, Natalia Stewart Rosenfield, Kathleen Lamkin, Jennifer Re, Kendra Day, Louanne E. Boyd, Erik J. Linstead

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

We describe a virtual reality environment, Bob’s Fish Shop, which provides a system where users diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can practice social interactions in a safe and controlled environment. A case study is presented which suggests such an environment can provide the opportunity for users to build the skills necessary to carry out a conversation without the fear of negative social consequences present in the physical world. Through the repetition and analysis of these virtual interactions, users can improve social and conversational understanding.

Gut Feeling: Good Food, Good Mood, Asia Battle

The Diana McDonald Writer's Challenge

In “Gut Feeling: Good Food, Good Mood,” Asia Battle describes the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry. Her essay explains why psychotropic medications can be unreliable and, over time, even counter-productive for treating ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, and other disorders with which children are being increasingly diagnosed. Battle explains some of the science linking proper nutrition with relief from mental/emotional distress and offers suggestions for transitioning from poor diets (including the treats that we may use to placate children) to diets that promote physical and emotional well-being.

Caregivers' Challenges In Accessing Services For Children With Autism, Anita Payne Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The perspective of the caregiver is vital to understanding the experiences of raising a child with autism, including the challenges faced in accessing services. The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of primary caregivers raising a school-age child with autism and to bring about an understanding of the challenges faced in accessing services. Resiliency theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants raising a child with autism in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Data were analyzed using Moustakas's descriptive approach. Results yielded 5 themes: overall …

Journey With Autism: Successful Educational And Social Interventions From A Single Case Study, Kwame M. De Jonge-Moore

Dissertations

Problem

Statistics indicate that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is on the increase in America and worldwide (Xu, Strathearn, Liu, & Bao, 2018; Baio et al., 2018). Autism spectrum disorder can impair an individual’s ability to engage in neurotypical behavior, which has the potential to increase their vulnerability to being shunned and bullied. This makes autism a major societal concern with significant costs to the individual, their family, private/public health insurance, state financial aid programs, and to the nation. This present study was undertaken to determine, in the opinions of those connected to the case, whether the interventions engaged in this …

A Support Program For College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Functioning Of Participants Versus Non-Participants And The Role Of Program-Sponsored Mentoring, Ayla Raven Mapes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasingly more students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college. In response, many colleges are now offering these students the extra support of an Autism Support Program (ASP), many of which include a mentoring component. This study is one of only a handful of attempts to examine these programs empirically. Using a small sample of college students who identified as having ASD, I compared participants and non-participants of a university ASP. An online survey was used to assess demographic characteristics and pre-college academic performance, as well as students’ functioning across the following domains: social, adaptive, academic, emotional, and having …

The Efficacy Of Equine Assisted Therapy In The Treatment Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amy Hofmann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effects of equine-assisted psychotherapies in children with an autism spectrum disorder. The CARS-2 and Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire parent-report questionnaires were used for evaluation, as well open-ended questions. A single researcher contacted and visited many PATH-certified centers in the United States. Facilities that participated were all located in the Mid-Atlantic to Northeast region. There were 16 participants, from 11 different farms, that completed both the initial and follow-up questionnaires which were given 7 weeks apart. A $25 Amazon gift card was used as an incentive to increase participation. Participating facilities also completed a questionnaire.

Overall, results …

Mirroring, Social Learning And Dance Movement Therapy With Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review, Megan Fitzpatrick

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The literature review investigated the use of mirroring to help develop emotional understanding through social learning with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research reviewed was used to further cognize how mirroring could give a child with ASD a better understanding of their own and others’ emotions through social learning. The findings revealed that mirroring could be an affective tool to build social awareness of emotions in children diagnosed with ASD. The mirror neuron system (MNS) is the area of the brain that assesses perception and production of movement creating an overlap. Using the idea of the mirror …

Flow, Creativity And Autism Spectrum Disorder: Creatively Supporting Development And Pro-Social Behavior In Children With Asd, Mehdi Raoufi

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review is an analysis of the literature exploring the use of expressive arts modalities with children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a focus on emotional regulation and behavior modification. Historically, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been the standard in terms of behavior modification for this population, but current research and qualitative inquiries suggested that members of this population need more support in emotional regulation and communication than ABA is able to provide. Using an intermodal arts-based method developmentally promotes social and communication abilities in children with ASD. Further, channeling stereotypic behaviors into creative flow can regulate, …

Examining Jordanians' Attitudes Towards Five Types Of Developmental Disabilities, Najah Zaaeed Drph, Mohammad M. Mohammad, Peter Gleason, Khaled A. Bahjri Md, Naomi Modeste

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: The diagnosis and reported rates of persons with developmental disabilities (PWDDs) in Jordan is steadily increasing. Although initiatives have been implemented to improve the lives of PWDDs, attitudes towards PWDDs hinder successful inclusion in the Jordanian society.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between Jordanians socio-economic status and attitudes towards persons with developmental disabilities: autism, blindness, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy.

Methods: Jordanians (N=259), ages 18-65 were recruited for this convergent parallel, mixed-methods study. Participants completed the modified 40-item Community Living Attitude Scale-developmental disability (CLAS-DD) and the modified Intellectual Disability Literacy Scale consisting of five vignettes, representing each …

Exploring The Experiences Of Clinicians Dually-Trained In Behavior Analysis And Family Therapy Working With Families Facing Autism, Janessa Dominguez

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

The main aim of this dissertation is to identify the importance of utilizing both a behavior analytic lens and systemic thinking lens when working with families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Currently, the prevalence of ASD is on the rise, which means more families are in need of services. Services are typically available for the individual with ASD or the family; however, it is the researcher’s belief that services delivered utilizing a both/and lens are more impactful. Through the use of transcendental phenomenology, trained behavior analysts and marriage and family therapists were interviewed to gain insight into …