Education Commons^™

Late To The Game: A Phenomenological Study Of The Educational Experiences Of Females With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tammara Clevenger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the K-12 educational experiences of females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it states that people are the operators of their lives, and not passive entities within their environment. However, individuals with ASD often have difficulties with social communication, communication interaction, and restricted, repetitive behaviors, which impact their ability to regulate themselves in various environments. The study used transcendental phenomenology to understand the K-12 educational experiences of females with ASD. A total of 10 participants were used. The participants and their …

Parent Perspectives Of Inclusion For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca A. Mack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the experiences with inclusion for parents of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and combined intellectual impairment in elementary schools in the United States. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s theory on social cognitive learning as it applies to students with disabilities learning from observing their peers without disabilities. This study design was a transcendental phenomenological qualitative design to explore multiple parents’ unique experiences with the same phenomenon—inclusion for their child with ASD. Participants were chosen using criterion and snowball sampling from social media groups and live across the …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Gap Between Specialized And General School Systems, Alexis Ketterman

Senior Capstone Papers

Functionality, communication, socialization, and the ability to have some degree of independence are common attributes that many may not take the time to consider. However, for individuals who are autistic, these attributes are critical to forming secure relationships and successfully adapting across the lifespan. The two primary care systems paramount in supporting and nurturing social competence for children include general and specialized school systems. General school systems may not always have a well-developed understanding or awareness around a particular diagnosis or developmental disability; however, they may have a holistic special education program. Specialized schools often have access to trained professionals …

Growing Independence Through The Use Of Structured Work Systems, Skye Nicolls

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities struggle to manage daily activities and routines with independence. They often rely on adult prompts and cues, even when a skill has been previously mastered. This action research study aimed to determine the effects of structured work systems (SWS) in the inclusive pre-k classroom on the overall independence of students with ASD or related disabilities. TEACCH modeled structured work systems were implemented with four preschool students a minimum of twice daily. Three areas were observed for the purpose of this research: (1) student completion of the structured work system; (2) …

Lessons Learned: What The Covid-19 Global Pandemic Has Taught Us About Teaching, Technology And Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jane Roitsch, Robert L. Moore, Annemarie Horn

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose. This paper examines the impact of the abrupt transition from attending school face-to-face to participating in online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by a parent of a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design/methodology/approach. A phone interview was conducted with the parent of a child with ASD. The semi-structured interview focused on how the child’s family was impacted when classes shifted to virtual from face-to-face learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings. Four themes emerged from the interview. Three of these included adjustments to changes in 1) routines and roles, 2) …

A Systematic Review Of Firsthand Experiences And Supports For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Higher Education, Mariya T. Davis, Gavin W. Watts, Eric J. López

Special Education Faculty Publications

As students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are increasingly enrolling at institutions of higher education, their new experiences and offered supports impact their success in this realm. The current review extends previous syntheses of literature related to support systems for students with ASD in higher education, as well as their first-hand experiences.

Insights And Strategies To Support Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Post-Secondary Contexts: A Canadian Perspective, Janice M. Fennell, Phd, Suzyo Sc Bavi, Janice M. Galloway

Strategies to Support Students with Autism

The number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) entering post-secondary institutions is increasing, but students with ASD are struggling more than their typically developing peers, with high rates of mental health challenges and a lower graduation rate. This study’s purpose is to understand the learning needs/experiences of students who identify as being an individual with, or having a formal diagnosis of ASD, while highlighting perspectives of f aculty members and students from Sheridan College. Our research finds that the learning experiences of students with ASD at Sheridan are impacted by: (a) Environmental stressors, (b) Gaps in transitioning from high …

The Effects Of Teacher-Delivered E-Coaching On Paraeducators And Students, Annemarie L. Horn, Marcia L. Rock, Andy M. Markelz (Ed.)

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Paraeducators play a vital role in providing special education services to students with disabilities, yet they often enter the classroom with inadequate training. Using a multiplebaseline across participants research design, we evaluated the effects of job-embedded bug-in-ear (BIE) coaching delivered to paraeducators on their use of behavior specific praise (BSP) while working 1:1 with transition-age students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results showed all paraeducators used optimal rates of BSP during the intervention condition while receiving immediate feedback from the special education teacher (i.e., eCoach). High rates of BSP were sustained over time, and changes in expressive social and communicative …

Sensory Integration Therapy For Students With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jennifer Bell

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Children with autism spectrum disorders often struggle socially and emotionally in the classroom setting due to overstimulation. The purpose of this literature review is to synthesize research on the effects of Dr. A. Jean Ayre's sensory integration therapy intervention for students with an autism spectrum disorder, specifically as they are applied in the classroom. Ayres was an occupational therapist, educational psychologist, and an advocate for individuals with special needs. Dr. Ayres developed the sensory integration therapy approach, or SIT, in the 1970s, and SIT has since been used by hundreds of occupational therapists around the world. Overall, sensory integration therapy …

Prevalence Of Autism/Asd Among Preschool And School-Age Children In Norway, Kamil Özerk, Donald N. Cardinal

Education Faculty Articles and Research

In recent years, there has been a considerable rise in prevalence rates for autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASD) around the globe. Understanding the patterns of prevalence is essential for policy development at national and local levels that effectively plans for medical, psychological, behavior analytical, and educational interventions. This study presents new data on the prevalence of ASD among preschool and school-age children (ages 1–16 years) in Norway. Based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria for diagnosis, the rate of ASD increased from 2014 to 2016. The study found a much higher increase in prevalence rate among preschool-age (1–5 years) …

Applied Behavior Analysis For The Treatment Of Autism: A Systematic Review Of Assistive Technologies, Fábio Junior Alves, Emerson Assis De Carvalho, Juliana Aguilar, Lucelmo Lacerda De Brito, Guilherme Sousa Bastos

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Student Research

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may lead to significant impairment in social communication, repetitive patterns of behavior, and possible fixed and restricted interests. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a well-supported and evidence-based treatment for the delays attributed to ASD. Assistive technologies, such as gamification, software apps, computer-based training (Web), and robotics; provide a standardized method of implementing ABA techniques. This review provides a synthesis of the main characteristics of these technologies. The assessed proposals focused on technologies such as Distributed Systems, Image Processing, Gamification, and Robotics. The primary objectives of these tools sought to improve social …

How Does The Use Of Visuals Affect Challenging Behaviors In The Preschool Classroom?, Shadley Grimes

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Children with autism (ASD) are being included increasingly in the general education setting for preschool. This brings with it unique challenges as these children often are significantly discrepant from their peers in their communication abilities, both receptively and expressively. Beyond communication, ASD affects the child’s joint attention skills, necessary for observational learning and sharing social experiences, each of which are significant elements in a typical preschool setting. These delays lead the child to frustration, which can be expressed in aggression, disruption, and other challenging behaviors. These behaviors negatively affect the student’s ability to participate in preschool activities, make friends, and …

Effects Of Parent Implemented Visual Schedule Routines For African American Children With Asd In Low-Income Home Settings, Samantha E. Goldman, Carrie A. Glover, Blair P. Lloyd, Erin E. Barton, Maria P. Mello

Education Department Faculty Works

Low-income, minority families are underrepresented in the literature on parent training for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although the use of visual supports, such as visual schedules, is considered to be an evidence-based practice for children with ASD in school, it is not known whether this strategy is effective for minority, low-income families when implemented by the parent in the home setting. This study used a multiple-baseline across routines design replicated across two African American child-mother dyads to examine the effects of a parent-implemented visual schedule procedure on child independent schedule use and between-activity transitions. Parent participants were …

The Use Of Visual Schedules, Amber Connelly

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This paper explores the use of visual schedules to support students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with transitions throughout the school day. Students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder have a tough time interpreting verbal directions throughout the school day; therefore, there is an increase in student behaviors during transitions (Dettmer, Simpson, Brenda, & Ganz, 2000). The students utilized in this study are preschool aged students, which means they are between the ages of three to five. All students are in an integrated preschool classroom. The researcher implemented and created individualized visual schedules for each student in this paper. The researcher …

Demo: Wearable Application To Manage Problem Behavior In Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Camellia Zakaria, Richard C. Davis

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Managing problem behaviors in children with neurodevelopmental disorders can be challenging. Such behaviors may discourage social participation and learning. Many of these behaviors warrant intervention, however, are challenging for caregivers to constantly supervise. Previous work focused on developing recognition systems for stereotypical and aggressive behaviors. Researchers also developed visualization interface for caregivers to better understand their child’s needs. Our goal however, is to design an independent behavior management application to help children manage problem behaviors with minimal supervision.We conducted a field study at a school for children with special needs in Singapore, and interviewed ten teachers. This study helped us …

Seeking Independent Management Of Problem Behavior: A Proof-Of-Concept Study With Children And Their Teachers, Camellia Zakaria, Richard C. Davis, Zachary Walker

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Problem behaviors are particularly common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism and Down syndrome. These behaviors sometimes discourage social inclusion, inhibit learning development, and cause severe injuries, but caregivers are often unable to attend to their children immediately when the behaviors occur. Recent research shows that problem behavior can be automatically detected with wearable devices, but it is still not clear how to reduce caregivers' burdens and facilitate academic, social, and functional development of children with problem behaviors. We conducted a field study at a school with 21 children who exhibit problem behaviors and found that they needed frequent …

Research Synthesis: Effective Practices For Improving The Reading Comprehension Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amy L. Accardo

College of Education Faculty Scholarship

The incidences of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to rise steadily increasing the need for research-based strategies to support this population in the core academic content area of reading comprehension. A research synthesis was conducted with the purpose of (1) reviewing existing research to determine effective practices for teaching reading comprehension to students with ASD, (2) identifying the features of effective practices that appear to influence comprehension outcomes, and (3) assessing the quality of the research related to comprehension strategies and students with ASD. A functional relation was identified between the increased reading comprehension of students with ASD and each …

Increasing Effective Service And Support For Students On The Autism Spectrum, Jacquelyn Urbani, Billye Brown, Colleen Arnold

Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship

From a campus workshop focusing on how faculty can more effectively work with students with autism.

Longitudinal Predictors Of Functioning In Children With Asd, Alli Smith, Megan Lyons, Katherine Tsatsanis, Rhea Paul

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Objective: To examine whether maternal education and number of intervention hours are correlated and/or predictive of a range of developmental outcomes in a longitudinal cohort of children diagnosed with ASD.

Development Of The Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-Sea), Heather Miller-Kuhaneck, Jacqueline P. Kelleher

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

The Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-SEA) allows teachers to examine the sensory aspects of classroom tasks and environments. The purpose is to assist in determining ways to modify tasks and environments to improve engagement and reduce problem behaviors in elementary school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Adaptive Behaviors In Toddlers Under Two With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Rhea Paul, Rebecca Loomis, Katarzyna Chawarska

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale was administered to 54 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) before age 2, and a matching group of 18 toddlers with developmental delay (DD). The group with ASD was more impaired on all scales of the Vineland than DD peers. When 18 ASD/DD pairs very closely matched on age, verbal and nonverbal development were selected, differences were found only on Vineland Receptive Communication and Daily Living. Correlation analyses to explore connection of these areas of difference with cognition and autistic symptoms suggested that Vineland Daily Living scores were significantly correlated with nonverbal ability and …

Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Protocol For Autism Spectrum Disorder, Janet L. Dodd, Lauren K. Franke, Jeanette K. Grzesik, Jenna Stoskopf

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Legal mandates established under IDEA specify a student must be assessed in all areas of suspected disability. Never is this task more overwhelming than its application to the assessment of a student suspected of a diagnosis of autism. The assessment of an individual suspected of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis is a complex task and is dependent on the integration of information gleaned from assessments conducted by an array of professionals, each with their own distinct area of expertise. The purpose of this article is to introduce the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Assessment Protocols-Autism Spectrum Disorder, referred to as the CMAPs, …

A Proposed Framework For Combining Smart Environment And Heuristic Diagnostic Teaching Principles In Order To Assess Students’ Abilities In Math And Supporting Them During Learning, Ardiana Sula, Evjola Spaho, Leonard Barolli, Rozeta Miho

Jandrisevits Faculty Publications

In this paper, we propose the use of the smart environment based on Internet of Things (IoT), P2P technology and Heuristic Diagnostic Teaching principles for identifying learning abilities in mathematics and creative traits for students that are diagnosed within Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD). Many children with autism are highly interested and motivated by smart devices such as computers and touch screen tablets. These types of assistive technology devices get children with autism to interact, make choices, respond, gain new communication skills and create P2P communication between children, caregivers and therapists. Our proposed system uses JXTA-Overlay platform and SmartBox device to …

An Exploration Of Teaching Music To Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Samantha D. Jimenez

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this grounded-theory qualitative study was to explore how music teachers successfully work with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many individuals with ASD are impacted daily by social and communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and restricted or rigid behaviors. Current research, literature, media, and ASD and music circles support that music is a powerful medium for individuals with ASD. Benefits of music for individuals with ASD include therapeutic advantages, various improvements in skills, social opportunities, emergence of gifts and talents, and emotional outlets. Regular exposure to learning music in the U.S. is typically through music …