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Examining The Effects Of An Early Mand Training Intervention On Mand Acquisition In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Maram Alnahari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show language delays. Their limited communication skill may lead them to engage in the same disruptive behavior that previously got them what they wanted. Verbal behavior (VB), specifically mand training (MT), is one of the early language intervention strategies used to target language development and facilitate functional communication with young children with autism. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an early mand training intervention on mand acquisition in children with ASD. This study specifically targeted the application, the implementation, and their effects. A multiple baseline across participants research design was used …

Teaching Autistic Children To Independently Wash Their Hands: A Systematic Review Of Behavioral Techniques, Alexis Vazquez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

With COVID 19 having changed the world’s perception on daily hygiene, people are aiming to improve the rate and efficacy of their hand washing. Autistic children, having a history of challenges with daily living skills, may need support when learning the skill of hand washing. The current review discusses interventions used to teach autistic children effective hand washing and investigates if those interventions meet criteria to be considered an evidence-based practice. Six studies met the inclusion criteria and data were synthesized narratively. Given the importance of hand washing in society, more research is necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. The review …

The Role Of Mri In Diagnosing Autism: A Machine Learning Perspective., Yaser Elnakieb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is approximately 1 in every 44 children in the United States suffers from autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a disorder characterized by social and behavioral impairments. Communication difficulties, interpersonal difficulties, and behavioral difficulties are the top common symptoms. Even though symptoms can begin as early as infancy, it may take multiple visits to a pediatric specialist before an accurate diagnosis can be made. In addition, the diagnosis can be subjective, and different specialists may give different scores. There is a growing body of research suggesting differences in brain development and/or environmental and/or genetic factors contribute to autism development, but scientists …

Needs Assessment For Systematic Cultural Competence Training In The Field Of Applied Behavior Analysis, William Edwards

All Dissertations

As the prevalence rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continue to increase, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is now universally recognized as the most effective and empirically based treatment option for children. This recognition has led to greater accessibility to services for families, a broader range of funding sources, increased client diversity, and an unprecedented demand for qualified service providers. With this increased demand for qualified providers and the increased diversity of clients, a needs assessment for cultural competence training was conducted.

The Needs Assessment for Systematic Cultural Competence Training in Applied Behavior Analysis captured demographic information related to providers and …

The Role Of Virtual Reality In Art Therapy To Mitigate Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) Symptoms, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Traditional art therapy sessions are designed for face-to-face engagement with patients as with other mental health services such as counseling. However, the pandemic of 2019 severely limited access to these services and, initially, led to widespread cancelation and postponement until the nature of COVID-19 could be better understood. When treatment resumed, video conferencing was the preferred method of holding therapy sessions one-on-one to diagnose patients and provide services. Similar approaches were taken in art therapy with less efficacy given the hands-on nature of the required activities. With the rise of virtual reality (VR) as a more widely accessible technology since …

What Keeps Teachers Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Teaching?, Kimberley Rodriguez

All NMU Master's Theses

Currently, staff shortages exist in all areas of education. In the field of special education, there are sub-groups of teachers and classrooms, each with unique challenges. This study explores the experiences of teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) disability in order to identify important retention factors specific to them. In this qualitative, phenomenological study, the researcher conducted four, one-on-one interviews to discover the district-related factors shared by teachers of students with ASD when considering staying or leaving their current position. Interview responses were categorized into the four themes critical to teacher retention according to the four capital theory …

Environmental And Social Determinants Of Leisure-Time Physical Activity In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jihyun Lee, Sean Healy, Justin A. Haegele

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: It is increasingly recognized that children's physical activity behaviors are shaped by neighborhood environment factors and their parent's support. However, these factors have been scarcely studied among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a population at risk of inactivity. Objective: This cross-sectional survey study was designed to examine how neighborhood environmental factors and parental support are related to physical activity levels of children with ASD. Also, this study examined if the relationship between the environment and physical activity is modified by demographic factors and COVID-19 related concerns. Methods: An online survey was completed by parents of children with ASD …

Autism Training At A Small Liberal Arts College: Librarian Perceptions And Takeaways, Blake Robinson, Amelia M. Anderson

Faculty Publications

While there has been some research about the intersection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and larger research libraries, less work has been done in other academic library settings. To assess librarians’ knowledge of ASD, the authors administered an ASD training manual and subsequent survey to academic librarians at a liberal arts college library in the Southeast. The librarians found the training about ASD itself to be most valuable. Additionally, they gave positive assessments of their ability to serve students with ASD both at the individual and institutional levels. This suggests that librarians recognize the importance of serving this unique population.

Inadequate Healthcare Services Among Individuals With Autism In The United States, Gabby Sutton-Clark

Ballard Brief

Healthcare innovation has been a pressing topic in public discourse across the United States for centuries. Advances have taken place in several healthcare fields, such as maternal and fetal medicine, cardiology, and surgical specialties; however, healthcare for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (AS □) has not received the same attention and care. A general lack of access to healthcare services, communication barriers, lack of ASD-specific provider training, and the physical healthcare environment all contribute to the inadequate healthcare experiences and services individuals with AS □ receive. As a result, individuals with AS □ not only seek healthcare less frequently for …

Age Of Diagnosis, Service Access, And Rights Of Autistic Individuals In Argentina: Caregivers Reports Of Changes And Similarities Across Time, María Cecilia Montenegro, Estefani Bernal, Sebastián Cukier, Daniel Valdez, Alexia Rattazzi, Gabriela Garrido, Analía Rosoli, Cristiane Silvestre Paula, Ricardo Garcia, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Many countries have developed health initiatives to protect those with disabilities and developmental concerns in the past few years. However, the needs of autistic individuals are still short of being fulfilled. Partially due to limited research expenditure, which would allow bridging the gap between evidence and practice, the long time it takes to implement passed laws, and the limited operationalization of inclusive policies.

Objective: To quantitatively examine changes in the child's age at the time of caregiver's first developmental concerns and age of diagnosis of their autistic child across 5 years. Also, to address challenges experienced by caregivers (e.g., …

Occupational Benefits For Young Adults With Disabilities While Participating In Vocational Programs, Erline F. Massillon

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Data from the U.S. Center for Disease Control revealed that 2.2% of American adults have an ASD condition which adds up to 5.4 million people ages 18 and older, or about 1 in 45 people (Center for Disease Control, 2022). Although there is legislation in place to support post-secondary transition rates for disabled young adults, studies show that individuals diagnosed with ASD and/or other physical and intellectual disabilities have poorer outcomes than their typically developing peers in the key areas of independent living, postsecondary education, and employment (Sosnowy, Silverman, & Shattuck, 2018). Employers identified the lack of individualized workplace training …

The Acceptability And Feasibility Of Virtual Parent Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Groups: A Feasibility Study, Abigail Elizabeth Moretti

Theses and Dissertations

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor overall well-being, particularly when their child also engages in challenging behavior (e.g., self-injury, aggression, property destruction). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which encourages psychological flexibility and attending to the present moment, is particularly suited for this population because parents of children with ASD experience high stress levels and difficulty with adaptive coping. The aim of the current study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing virtual ACT groups with parents of children with ASD and co-occurring challenging behavior. Participants attended an in-person …

Dir Floortime Therapy, Rebecca C. Matheson

LC Journal of Special Education

DIR Floortime Therapy is a social pragmatic approach used to help children with autism develop stronger verbal and social skills. Dr. Stanley Greenspan determined there were six milestones all children must master in order to develop appropriate language and social skills. DIR Floortime Therapy engages with the child through play in order to create a naturalistic environment that helps children achieve these milestones. While the approach is not evidence based, several studies have been conducted using DIR Floortime Therapy to strengthen language and social skills in young children with autism. The majority of these studies found a greater increase in …

Etiology Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd): Familial Perceptions Versus Empirically Validated Data, Jacqueline Lubin

LC Journal of Special Education

Presently, there is desynchronization between what parents and family member perceive as causal factors and what research has proven to be possible indicators. This is of great concern because parents choose interventions based on what they perceive to be the cause of ASD (Dardennes et al., 2011). The implication of this is that parents may unintentionally opt for interventions which may be unsuitable for their child. This research paper will seek to highlight and discuss the factors that parents, family and professionals in the field perceive as causes of ASD and the factors that research have identified as triggers (or …

Sibling-Mediated Interventions For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jacqueline Lubin

LC Journal of Special Education

Siblings spend a significant proportion of the day with siblings with autism than do their typically developing peers. Therefore, sibling-mediated interventions should be a major part of the repertoire of interventions used to aid children with autism develop social skills. Bass and Mulick (2007) explained that using siblings as social intervention agents have several benefits, including constant practice opportunities in the natural setting, parental support and the increased probability of generalization of social skills learned. Therefore, this paper will examine validated sibling-mediated interventions and discuss their effectiveness in enhancing social competence in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Effects Of Journaling To Decrease Repetitive Questioning Of Individuals With High-Functioning Autism, Annette D. Atwater

LC Journal of Special Education

One of the characteristics that can stigmatize and isolate an individual with ASD is restricted interests and the often associated repetitive questioning within those interests. Educational best practice utilizes restricted interests in strategies for socialization and transitions by incorporating the restrictive interest into the activity (Boyd, Alter, & Conroy, 2005), but repetitive questioning tends to be a strain on social interaction in school and home environments (Eaves & Ho, 2008; Lounds, Seltzer, Greenberg, & Shattuck, 2007; Seltzer, Krauss, Orsmond, & Vestal, 2001). Unfortunately, there has been relatively little research conducted in the area of treating restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) …

Evaluating The Use Of Inclusive Teaching Materials For Learners With Autism, Juliana Aguilar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the last decade, the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has committed to working on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The work began with call-to-action papers, empirical work on cultural accommodations, and most recently, the certifying board has changed the professional standards for board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs). An objective and measurable step that BCBAs can take to adhere to the new ethical and professional standards is to use inclusive teaching materials. Inclusive teaching materials are teaching materials that reflect the diversity of society. This study compared the rate of learning and generalization between an inclusive and non-inclusive set of …

The Effects Of Coaching Provided Via Video-Conferencing To Caregivers Of Children With Asd, Kendra L. Antill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The ability to communicate effectively to others is a pivotal skill necessary to get one’s needs and wants met; however, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have significant delays in communication skills. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices provide an alternative means for children with complex communication needs to express their needs and wants. Communication interventions involving AAC have been largely conducted in school and clinical settings, despite young children spending a significant amount of their time at home and in the community. Family involvement plays a critical role in improved outcomes for young children with disabilities. Recent shifts …

Literature Review Utilizing Handheld Devices In The Education Of Students With Special Needs, Edward A. Hoisington

LC Journal of Special Education

In recent years, technology has had a greater influence in the treatments and interventions of students with ASD. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature with regards to the use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other handheld devices with student diagnosed with ASD. A PDA is “a handheld computer that mainly serves as a personal information organizer,” it allows the user to input data through “an on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition program using a stylus” (Ferguson, Myles, & Hagiwara, 2005, p. 60). PDAs and other handheld devices In recent years, technology has had a greater …

Autism - The Sensory Piece, Marta Weis

LC Journal of Special Education

The first part of this paper will describe diagnostic characteristics of and the prevalence rates for autism. The second will outline sensory processing terminology and descriptions. The third part of this paper will describe research studies focusing on what if any links there are between ASD and sensory processing problems. The last part of this paper will discuss implications for educators and why understanding how sensory processing difficulties influence the behaviors of individuals with ASD.

Visual Strategies For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Susan L. Mccorkle

LC Journal of Special Education

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) commonly have deficits in the areas of communication, socialization, and behaviors. Because many students with ASD are described as visual learners, they tend to show improved response to information presented visually. By using a student's visual processing strength, these strategies can help decrease reliance on areas of deficits, such as auditory processing and communication. There are many supports teachers can use in the classroom to augment and enhance instruction that will increase student independence while decreasing dependence on adult prompts and cues (Ganz, 2007). Because students with ASD can have difficulties processing and understanding …

Decreasing Self-Injurious Behaviors In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Susan L. Mccorkle

LC Journal of Special Education

There has been increased concern in developing successful interventions for problem behaviors in ASD due to a rise in diagnoses of this disorder (Doughty & Doughty, 2008). This paper will explore applied behavior analysis research studies that have examined interventions used in the attempt to decrease or extinguish SIB in children with ASD. Procedural alternatives for behavioral reduction will be investigated and the results of research will be evaluated for significant influence on SIB. These include reinforcement-based strategies, extinction strategies, removal of desirable stimuli, and the presentation of aversive stimuli. The functional relationship between SIB and these alternatives for behavior …

Academic Interventions For Students With Asd, Deanna B. Cash

LC Journal of Special Education

Following the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act in 2004 and its emphasis on inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education setting, students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are increasingly taught in general education classrooms (Leblanc, Richardson, & Burns, 2009; Simpson, Boer-Ott, & Smith-Myles, 2003). Data from the Annual Report to Congress on Implementation of IDEA (U.S. Department of Education, 2010) indicated that almost 90% of students with autism in public schools in the United States receive their education in general education classrooms for some part of the school day. Yet, both general education and special …

Video Modeling: An Effective, Evidence-Based Practice For Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Selina Field

LC Journal of Special Education

Video modeling is a promising behavioral intervention that has myriad applications for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Video modeling uses visual cues, an effective strategy for instructing students with ASD, who are often visual learners, and modeling, an evidence-based strategy that is effective across ages and populations. Over the past three decades, research has demonstrated that video modeling can be a valuable tool for instructing children with ASD in a variety of skills, and that once a skill is learned through this process, it is maintained over time and generalized across settings. Recent research qualifies video modeling as an …

Effectiveness Of The Social Behavior Mapping Intervention On The Social Communication Skills Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jessica Ann Donaldson

Special Education ETDs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Social Thinking® Social Behavior Mapping (SBM) on adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. A pretest-posttest control group design with matched sampling was used. There were 22 participants between the ages of 13 and 17 who were matched by age and IQ and then were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or to a treatment-as-usual group. Results revealed that participants made significant improvements on the SBM rating scale scores and participant-reported scores on the Social Skills subscale of the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS; Elliott & Gresham, 2008) Rating Scales. …

Systematic Literature Review Of Experiences And Supports For Students With Asd Post Hoc: Findings Regarding Diversity And Implications For Research And Educator Preparation, Eric J. Lopez, Mariya T. Davis

Special Education Faculty Publications

The following post hoc analysis examines cultural and/or linguistic information from a previous systematic literature review of 24 studies investigating demographic information, encounters, assists and suggestions of study participants enrolled in post-secondary education institutions with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The analysis and discussion of results appeal for the need to not only include and focus on diversity but to refocus on cultural consciousness. Implications and future directions for research and for educator preparation programs are proposed.

Social Virtual Reality: Neurodivergence And Inclusivity In The Metaverse, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Whereas traditional teaching environments encourage lively and engaged interaction and reward extrovert qualities, introverts, and others with symptoms that make social engagement difficult, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are often disadvantaged. This population is often more engaged in quieter, low-key learning environments and often does not speak up and answer questions in traditional lecture-style classes. These individuals are often passed over in school and later in their careers for not speaking up and are assumed to not be as competent as their gregarious and outgoing colleagues. With the rise of the metaverse and democratization of virtual reality (VR) technology, …

Diagnosis And Initial Management Of Acute Stress Disorder And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Primary Care Setting, Lindsay Leonard, Blaine Winters

Student Works

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to equip nurse practitioners (NPs) with resources and tools that will help with the early recognition and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) in patients following a traumatic accident.

Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), trauma, or unintentional injury, is the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 45 and the third leading cause of death for all ages of people in the United States. Patients involved in traumatic accidents often develop adverse psychological sequelae such as PTSD and ASD. …

Using A Multicomponent Intervention To Increase Appropriate Transitions To School, Laura Catalina Dimas Agudelo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

School attendance is important for the social and academic development of children. Therefore, appropriate transitions to school are a necessary skill for students. Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO) is a non-intrusive procedure used to decrease undesired behaviors. Likewise, differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors (DRA) is a widely used procedure to increase appropriate alternative behaviors while reducing inappropriate behaviors. This procedure has been assessed throughout behavior analytic literature alongside other behavioral components. The use of DRA without extinction has been shown to be an effective procedure to increase appropriate behaviors and decrease disruptive behaviors without completely withholding reinforcement for behaviors …

Using Behavioral Skills Training With Self-Monitoring To Increase Conversation Skills In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Laura De Zayas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the major skill deficits found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lack of social skills. These socials skills range from having conversations, interpreting nonverbal behavior, understanding emotions, and understanding the perspective of others. Behavior skills training (BST) and self-monitoring have generally been shown to be effective in improving social skills for individuals with ASD. However, there is limited research that used BST with self-monitoring as an intervention package to improve social skills, particularly communication skills of adolescents with ASD in the school setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to extend the current literature …