Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2015

ASD

Discipline
Institution
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 1 - 30 of 31

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Comparing Phenotypes In Patients With Idiopathic Autism To Patients With Velocardiofacial Syndrome (22q11 Ds) With And Without Autism, Wendy Kates, Kevin Antshel, Wanda Fremont, Robert Shprintzen, Leslie Strunge, Courtney Burnette, Anne Marie Higgins Dec 2015

Comparing Phenotypes In Patients With Idiopathic Autism To Patients With Velocardiofacial Syndrome (22q11 Ds) With And Without Autism, Wendy Kates, Kevin Antshel, Wanda Fremont, Robert Shprintzen, Leslie Strunge, Courtney Burnette, Anne Marie Higgins

Robert J. Shprintzen

At least three research groups have reported that autism is diagnosed in up to 20% of children with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). However the degree of phenotypic overlap between VCFS-affected children with autism and those with idiopathic autism has not been established. The purpose of this study was to define and differentiate the behavioral phenotype of autism in samples of children with either (VCFS) or idiopathic autism. Five groups of children ages 5–15 were included in the between-group design. Parent report of autism behaviors (based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, ADI-R) were compared between children with VCFS, children with VCFS and …


Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study Of Mikey, Gabrielle Lober Dec 2015

Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study Of Mikey, Gabrielle Lober

Honors Theses

This paper describes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including diagnostic criteria, suspected causes, prevalence, comorbidities, and influences on client factors. A hypothetical case study is presented to give readers an illustration of what someone with ASD might look like. Possible treatment based on evidence and selected frame of references will be given for the hypothetical client. This paper is not all inclusive of the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, but gives an illustrative example.


Social Motivation Is Associated With Elevated Salivary Cortisol In Boys With An Asd, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Linda Agnew, Nicholas Andronicos Nov 2015

Social Motivation Is Associated With Elevated Salivary Cortisol In Boys With An Asd, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Linda Agnew, Nicholas Andronicos

Vicki Bitsika

Because social communication difficulties and stress are common in children with an ASD, and because it has been hypothesised that the two are related, the association between these two variables was investigated in a sample of 90 boys with an ASD and who were aged between 6 years and 12 years of age. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was completed by the parents of these boys about their sons, plus salivary cortisol samples were collected from the boys. Results indicated that only one aspect of the boys' SRS was significantly correlated with cortisol—Social Motivation (SM). Factor analyses revealed two discrete …


Hyperactivity And Attention Deficits In Mice With Decreased Levels Of Stress-Inducible Phosphoprotein 1 (Stip1), Flavio H. Beraldo, Anu Thomas, Benjamin Kolisnyk, Pedro H. Hirata, Xavier De Jaeger, Amanda C. Martyn, Jue Fan, Daniela F. Goncalves, Matthew F. Cowan, Talal Masood, Vilma R.. Martins, Robert Gros, Vania F. Prado, Marco A. M. Prado Nov 2015

Hyperactivity And Attention Deficits In Mice With Decreased Levels Of Stress-Inducible Phosphoprotein 1 (Stip1), Flavio H. Beraldo, Anu Thomas, Benjamin Kolisnyk, Pedro H. Hirata, Xavier De Jaeger, Amanda C. Martyn, Jue Fan, Daniela F. Goncalves, Matthew F. Cowan, Talal Masood, Vilma R.. Martins, Robert Gros, Vania F. Prado, Marco A. M. Prado

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Stress-inducible phosphoprotein I (STIP1, STI1 or HOP) is a cochaperone intermediating Hsp70/Hsp90 exchange of client proteins, but it can also be secreted to trigger prion protein-mediated neuronal signaling. Some mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present antibodies against certain brain proteins, including antibodies against STIP1. Maternal antibodies can cross the fetus blood-brain barrier during pregnancy, suggesting the possibility that they can interfere with STIP1 levels and, presumably, functions. However, it is currently unknown whether abnormal levels of STIP1 have any impact in ASD-related behavior. Here, we used mice with reduced (50%) or increased STIP1 levels (fivefold) to test …


Kentucky Middle School General Education Teachers: Perceptions On Sensory Integration Of Students On The Autism Spectrum, Lynda C. Harrison Oct 2015

Kentucky Middle School General Education Teachers: Perceptions On Sensory Integration Of Students On The Autism Spectrum, Lynda C. Harrison

Dissertations

This study examines the perceptions of general education teachers in Kentucky middle schools regarding their knowledge concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and their abilities to implement strategies designed to accommodate students on the spectrum. Participants included both general and special education teachers though the original targeted sampling included general education teachers only. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a Likert scale survey created by the researcher and distributed through a web based program. Demographic characteristics collected included number of graduate credit hours, age, years of teaching experience, credited hours of training on ASD at …


Familial Depression And Adhd In Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Melissa Smith Aug 2015

Familial Depression And Adhd In Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Melissa Smith

Honors Scholar Theses

This study explored the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers and familial depression, specifically maternal depression. The data on toddlers in this study were collected from the Early Detection of Autism Study at the University of Connecticut. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between toddlers’ ASD diagnoses and familial depression compared to families with non-ASD toddlers. More specifically, it was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between ASD diagnoses and maternal depression, due to the challenges and stressors that result from taking care of toddlers with ASD. This study’s findings did not …


Investigation Of Behavioral And Cellular Changes In The Maternal Immune Activation Model Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Shreya Roy Aug 2015

Investigation Of Behavioral And Cellular Changes In The Maternal Immune Activation Model Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Shreya Roy

Theses & Dissertations

Maternal infection during pregnancy, which leads to maternal immune activation (MIA), is an environmental risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). MIA can be induced in mice and their offspring exhibit behaviors that model the core symptoms of ASD. One of the core behavioral symptoms in ASD patients is presence of increased repetitive behavior, which is modeled by an increase in marble burying in MIA mice. It has been shown that the deficits seen in MIA mice are associated with the dysregulation of cytokine levels in the developing brain, specifically an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this thesis, I tested …


Cerebellar Modulation Of Dorsolateral Striatal Dopamine Release: Functional Significance To Autism Spectrum Disorder, Chase Reid Presley Jul 2015

Cerebellar Modulation Of Dorsolateral Striatal Dopamine Release: Functional Significance To Autism Spectrum Disorder, Chase Reid Presley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant impairments in social-interaction, repetitive behavior, and early onset. Several neuropathologies exist in individuals with ASD including cerebellar hypoplasia, a reduction in Purkinje cells, and an enlargement of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These abnormalities have been found to alter dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the mPFC and contribute to repetitive behaviors and cognitive deficits commonly found in ASD. The nigrostriatal pathway provides DA to the striatum where it acts to modulate proper action selection and motor control. Research now suggests that th cerebellum may modulate nigrostriatal DA release in the …


The Influence Of Gender, Age, Psychological Resilience And Family Interaction Factors Upon Anxiety And Depression In Non-Autism Spectrum Disorder Siblings Of Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Rebecca Mailli Jul 2015

The Influence Of Gender, Age, Psychological Resilience And Family Interaction Factors Upon Anxiety And Depression In Non-Autism Spectrum Disorder Siblings Of Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Rebecca Mailli

Vicki Bitsika

The influence of gender, age, Psychological resilience and family interaction factors upon generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) was investigated in 75 non-autism spectrum disorder (NASD) siblings who had a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). GAD and MDD were much more prevalent than in comparable age group samples, and adolescent females had the highest MDD rates. Several Psychological resilience skills were significantly associated with lower GAD and MDD, particularly being able to recognise mistakes in their thinking (for children) and being able to remain in control of their anger (for adolescents). Suggestions are …


Understanding, Experiences, And Reactions To Bullying Experiences In Boys With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley Jul 2015

Understanding, Experiences, And Reactions To Bullying Experiences In Boys With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley

Vicki Bitsika

Most previous studies of bullying in young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have relied on data from adults’ rather than the person with an ASD themselves, thus limiting our understanding of the bullying experience from the child’s perspective. To investigate this issue, 48 high-functioning boys with an ASD, and their mothers, completed an online questionnaire about various aspects of bullying. There were some minor discrepancies between mothers’ and their sons’ reported frequency of bullying. Boys demonstrated an understanding of the behaviour that constitutes bullying that was consistent with the wider literature, enhancing the validity of their responses about …


Variation In The Profile Of Anxiety Disorders In Boys With An Asd According To Method And Source Of Assessment, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley Jul 2015

Variation In The Profile Of Anxiety Disorders In Boys With An Asd According To Method And Source Of Assessment, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley

Vicki Bitsika

To determine any variation that might occur due to the type of assessment and source used to assess them, the prevalence of 7 anxiety disorders were investigated in a sample of 140 boys with an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 50 non-ASD (NASD) boys via the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory and the KIDSCID Clinical Interview. Boys with an ASD were significantly more anxious than their NASD peers. Data collected from the boys with an ASD themselves showed differences in the severity and diagnostic criterion of anxiety disorders to data collected from the boys’ parents. There were age-related variations to …


Examining The Perceptions Of Pre-Service Teachers Toward Including Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders In A General Education Setting, Luanne Beth Sailors Jul 2015

Examining The Perceptions Of Pre-Service Teachers Toward Including Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders In A General Education Setting, Luanne Beth Sailors

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Including students with a range of abilities in today's classrooms paired with increasing inclusive practices has presented itself as a challenge for all educators. More specifically, students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have had an increased presence in general education settings. This study aimed to discover pre-service teachers' perceptions toward including students with ASD in a general education setting, examine pre-service teacher knowledge regarding ASD, and examine if any correlation between the two may exist. The main research instrument consisted of a set of 1) demographic questions (categorical data), 2) perceptions of inclusion of students with ASD measured in a …


Neural Plasticity In Response To Intervention In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sheryl Jayne Stevens Jul 2015

Neural Plasticity In Response To Intervention In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sheryl Jayne Stevens

Dissertations (1934 -)

Current theories of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) suggest that they may develop from the transactional interaction between biological risk factors and environmental processes (Dawson et al., 2009). Due to the brain’s experience-expectant nature, one’s degree of social exposure may have a significant impact on their brain development and behavioral presentation. In addition to the primary critical neurodevelopmental period identified in early childhood, recent research has demonstrated a second period of substantial neurodevelopment during the adolescent period (Sisk & Foster, 2004). This study investigated the neural and behavioral impact of participation in an empirically validated behavioral intervention (The Program for the …


Success Indicators Of College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Megan M. Prickett Jul 2015

Success Indicators Of College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Megan M. Prickett

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examined the executive functioning skills as students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) entered college. The participants consisted of 95 college students with ASD who attended the Kelly Autism Program (KAP) on Western Kentucky University’s campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The individuals in the sample were categorized three groups: individuals who graduated from college, individuals who were still attending college, and individuals who dropped out of college. The results indicated that the executive functioning skills of inhibiting and initiation were statistically significantly different between the three groups and additional skills were significantly different when comparing only the group that …


Fear Of Negative Evaluation In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Catie Nielson, Mikle South Jun 2015

Fear Of Negative Evaluation In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Catie Nielson, Mikle South

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social communication deficits and restricted repetitive behaviors. Studies have found co­‐morbidity of ASD and social anxiety disorder (SAD), but it is unclear how the anxiety experienced in ASD is socially mediated (White, Oswald, Ollendick and Scahill; 2009). In this study, we measured psychophysiological reactivity during socially stressful (performance­‐evaluated) trials compared to unevaluated trials. We aimed to understand how anxiety in people with ASD is mediated by fear of negative social evaluation, a key factor in SAD. We hypothesized that the ASD group would show elevated stress during evaluation, whether the task was hard …


Evaluating A Collaborative Ipad Game's Impact On Social Relationships For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Louanne E. Boyd, Kathryn E. Ringland, Oliver L. Haimson, Helen Fernandez, Maria Bistarkey, Gillian R. Hayes Jun 2015

Evaluating A Collaborative Ipad Game's Impact On Social Relationships For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Louanne E. Boyd, Kathryn E. Ringland, Oliver L. Haimson, Helen Fernandez, Maria Bistarkey, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

This article describes how collaborative assistive technologies, housed on off-the-shelf, low-cost platforms such as the iPad, can be used to facilitate social relationships in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through an empirical study of the use of a collaborative iPad game, Zody, we explore how assistive technologies can be used to support social relationships, even without intervention from adults. We discuss how specific design choices can encourage three levels of social relationship: membership, partnership, and friendship. This work contributes to research on both assistive technologies and collaborative gaming through a framework that describes how specific in-game elements can foster …


Accommodating Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Museums, William S. Tyler May 2015

Accommodating Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Museums, William S. Tyler

History Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the question of how current museum access programs meet the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is an umbrella classification that presents many challenges for individuals in terms of social development and academic growth. It is important that all individuals are given the opportunity to experience the museum setting to their full ability. With this population of individuals at the forefront, an analysis will be done to examine what needs are present and how museum programming serves them. There are a variety of strategies and accommodations that museums can …


The Effects Of Peer-Led Interventions, "Stay, Play, Talk", On Social Skills With Students With Autism, Elizabeth G. Deganian May 2015

The Effects Of Peer-Led Interventions, "Stay, Play, Talk", On Social Skills With Students With Autism, Elizabeth G. Deganian

Specialist in Education Degree (Ed.S.) Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the peer-led intervention, “Stay, Play, Talk” on three target social skills with elementary aged children with autism. The target skills are as follows: 1) initiating a greeting by either waving or saying, “hi”; 2) waiting his/her turn while playing a structured game/activity; and 3) staying close to a peer during a 10 minute free play period. A multiple probe across behaviors combined with a multiple probe across participants demonstrated that “Stay, Play, Talk” as an effective intervention for social skills on three participants served in an autism classroom. Additionally, this study examined …


Intervention Strategies For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mika Baer May 2015

Intervention Strategies For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mika Baer

Counselor Education Capstones

The increase in prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder has lead to the need for clinicians, parents, and educators to be more informed about available treatment options available for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Information regarding the effectiveness of several interventions and treatment strategies are discussed. It is recommended that by using collaboration across academic, medical, and home settings treatments be selected based on scientific evidence of effectiveness and individualized considerations of outcomes for the affected child.


Endogenous Spatial Attention: Evidence For Intact Functioning In Adults With Autism, Michael Grubb, Marlene Behrmann, Ryan Egan, Nancy Minshew, Marisa Carrasco, David Heeger Apr 2015

Endogenous Spatial Attention: Evidence For Intact Functioning In Adults With Autism, Michael Grubb, Marlene Behrmann, Ryan Egan, Nancy Minshew, Marisa Carrasco, David Heeger

Marlene Behrmann

Rapid manipulation of the attention field (i.e. the location and spread of visual spatial attention) is a critical aspect of human cognition, and previous research on spatial attention in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has produced inconsistent results. In a series of three psychophysical experiments, we evaluated claims in the literature that individuals with ASD exhibit a deficit in voluntarily controlling the deployment and size of the spatial attention field. We measured the spatial distribution of performance accuracies and reaction times to quantify the sizes and locations of the attention field, with and without spatial uncertainty (i.e. the lack …


Using The Teaching Interactions Procedure To Teach Social Skills To Children With Autism And Intellectual Disability, Aubrey Hui-Shyuan Ng Apr 2015

Using The Teaching Interactions Procedure To Teach Social Skills To Children With Autism And Intellectual Disability, Aubrey Hui-Shyuan Ng

Culminating Projects in Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy

Several studies have utilized various methods to teach social skills to children with autism such as video modeling, peer imitation, social skills training and the teaching interaction procedure (Leaf et al., 2009). The teaching interaction procedure includes describing the target behavior, providing a rationale and cues for when to use the behavior, breaking the target skill into smaller steps, modeling and role playing the behavior, and providing feedback. Prior research on the teaching interaction procedure mainly included students who had average to above average intellectual ability. This researcher plans to implement the teaching interaction procedure to teach social skills to …


Teaching Vocational Gardening Skills To An Adolescent With Severe Autism, Sun Kim Garcia Apr 2015

Teaching Vocational Gardening Skills To An Adolescent With Severe Autism, Sun Kim Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This research project examines the efficacy of teaching specific vocational gardening skills that are tied directly to real world job skills for an adolescent with severe autism. This study sought to determine if visual activity schedules paired with prompting increases independent achievement of gardening skills identified as essential to successful performance at a garden center job site for an adolescent with severe autism. Current research shows that the majority of adults with autism spectrum disorder are either unemployed or underemployed (Gerhardt & Lainer, 2011); however, when individuals with ASD participated in supported employment their quality of life improved, reduced their …


Accessing Healthcare: The Experience Of Individuals With Asd In Maine Report Summary, Alan Kurtz, Nancy Cronin Mar 2015

Accessing Healthcare: The Experience Of Individuals With Asd In Maine Report Summary, Alan Kurtz, Nancy Cronin

Health and Well-Being

A summary of report findings from the published research report, Accessing Healthcare: The Experience of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Maine (2014).


Stakeholder Perspectives Of The Effectiveness Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication Techniques In Children With Autism, Daria Constantinescu Feb 2015

Stakeholder Perspectives Of The Effectiveness Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication Techniques In Children With Autism, Daria Constantinescu

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to utilize focus groups and individual interviews to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of augmentative and alternative (AAC) techniques in facilitating language in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as expressed by the opinions and attitudes of stakeholders involved in the process. ASD is a disorder that affects an individual's social and communication skills that usually surfaces within a child's first three years of life. There have been numerous studies conducted comparing different types of AAC intervention systems, but there is little information on stakeholders' opinions. The current study utilized one focus group interview …


Moving From Capstones Toward Cornerstones: Successes And Challenges In Applying Systems Biology To Identify Mechanisms Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nathan Kopp, Sharlee Climer, Joseph D. Dougherty Jan 2015

Moving From Capstones Toward Cornerstones: Successes And Challenges In Applying Systems Biology To Identify Mechanisms Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nathan Kopp, Sharlee Climer, Joseph D. Dougherty

Computer Science Faculty Works

The substantial progress in the last few years toward uncovering genetic causes and risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has opened new experimental avenues for identifying the underlying neurobiological mechanism of the condition. The bounty of genetic findings has led to a variety of data-driven exploratory analyses aimed at deriving new insights about the shared features of these genes. These approaches leverage data from a variety of different sources such as co-expression in transcriptomic studies, protein-protein interaction networks, gene ontologies (GOs) annotations, or multi-level combinations of all of these. Here, we review the recurrent themes emerging from these analyses …


General Education Teacher Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy Regarding Teaching Students With Autism In Inclusion Settings, Jennifer H. Condrey Jan 2015

General Education Teacher Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy Regarding Teaching Students With Autism In Inclusion Settings, Jennifer H. Condrey

Education Dissertations and Projects

With an increase in the number of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder comes an increase in students with autism being integrated into regular education classrooms. While general education teachers strongly support inclusion, they do not feel prepared to implement inclusion practices in their classrooms. This dissertation was designed to gauge perceptions of self-efficacy among K-5 general education teachers in regards to teaching students with autism in inclusion settings. The researcher conducted digital surveys and personal interviews among K-5 regular education teachers who had inclusion experience with students with autism. Teacher perceptions were measured in the areas of preparedness, …


Friendships For High School Students: With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Without, Alanna Young Jan 2015

Friendships For High School Students: With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Without, Alanna Young

Honors Theses and Capstones

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience deficits in social communication, having difficulty with carrying on conversations, abiding by social norms, and feeling empathy towards others. As social skills are important for successful interactions, these deficiencies can decrease the number of friendships experienced by teenagers with ASD. However, it is also possible that other social barriers are involved, such as stigma, assumed by peers of teenagers with ASD. The influence of deficits in social interaction and stigma was examined through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, comprised of groups with teenagers with ASD and groups with typically developing teenagers. It was …


The Role Of Effortful Control And Cortisol In The Emergence Of Adhd, Asd, And Anxiety In Boys With Fxs, Marissa L. Robinson Jan 2015

The Role Of Effortful Control And Cortisol In The Emergence Of Adhd, Asd, And Anxiety In Boys With Fxs, Marissa L. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

ADHD, ASD, and anxiety are three of the most common co-occurring disorders in children with FXS leading to increased social, academic, and behavioral difficulties (Bailey, Raspa, Olmsted, & Holiday, 2008). Early identification and treatment of these co-occurring mental health disorders is essential to promote optimal outcomes; therefore, the study of early precursors and underlying mechanisms of these disorders within a developmental framework is warranted. The current dissertation includes two sequential and related studies investigating impaired effortful control as a precursor and HPA axis dysfunction (measured through salivary cortisol) as an underlying mechanism to the emergence of ADHD, ASD, and anxiety …


A Systematic Review Of Using Weighted Vests With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christopher J. Taylor Jan 2015

A Systematic Review Of Using Weighted Vests With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christopher J. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current literature on the use of weighted vests with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. A literature review using the What Works Clearinghouse Standards was conducted. The results of the review show that the use of weighed vests with individuals with autism spectrum disorder is not an evidence-based practice.


Caregiver Perceptions Of Healthcare Providers And Environments Related To Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deanna Klettlinger, Lynn Wirfel, Brittany Bielak Jan 2015

Caregiver Perceptions Of Healthcare Providers And Environments Related To Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deanna Klettlinger, Lynn Wirfel, Brittany Bielak

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The healthcare setting can be intimidating for any child. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in particular, this setting can cause anxiety and elicit disruptive behavior. The reactions of children with ASD to healthcare settings have not been widely studied. This study explores the lived experience of caregivers of children with ASD related to healthcare providers and environments. A qualitative phenomenological approach and methods guide the study. Purposive sampling was utilized at a resource center to identify and recruit participants fulfilling inclusion criteria. Sample size consisted of four female and two male adults. Semi-structured interviews were performed and voice …