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Influence Of Choice On Motivation To Learn For Students With Autism: Effect On Student Interest, Writing Achievement, Latency, And Behavior, Theresa M. Haskins

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Improving learning outcomes and increasing motivation to learn for students with autism is a growing concern for educators today. While schools strive to fully include students with autism in general education classrooms, the number of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder continues to rise, increasing the need for effective interventions that educators can easily implement in their classrooms. This pilot study investigates the influence of choice on a second grade student with autism and his motivation to write. His teacher’s perception on the use and effectiveness of choice in her classroom is also examined. Using a single-subject baseline design, …

Differential Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorders Using The Basc-2 Parent Rating Scales Preschool Form, Julia I. Juechter

Counseling and Psychological Services Dissertations

The Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus 2004) is a behavior rating scale commonly used in preschool settings. In addition to measuring behavioral constructs such as hyperactivity, social skills, and adaptive functioning, the BASC-2 includes a Developmental Social Disorders (DSD) content scale that evaluates the presence of behaviors commonly associated with pervasive developmental disorders, including items related to self-stimulation, withdrawal and poor socialization. This study compared the T-scores of toddler and preschool-aged children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to children diagnosed with other developmental delays, and typically developing children using the BASC-2 Parent …

Dance/Movement Therapy And Autism: A Case Study, Katherine Ann Porter

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

This thesis explores the development of the therapeutic relationship with a child with autism through dance/movement therapy. The characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder effect social interactions, communication, behavior and interests. This means there is difficulty engaging and maintaining reciprocal social interactions, and trouble with receptive and expressive language. The purpose of this study is to describe how movement mirroring in dance/movement therapy affects the development of the therapeutic relationship with a child with autism, through the analysis of the Ways of Seeing approach.

The data collected in this clinical case study consisted of video tapped sessions and Laban Movement Analysis …

Characterization And Treatment Of A Novel Mouse Model Of Tsc-Associated Autism, Rachel Michelle Reith

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a dominant tumor suppressor disorder caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2. The proteins of these genes form a complex to inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which controls protein translation and cell growth. TSC causes substantial neuropathology, often leading to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in up to 60% of patients. The anatomic and neurophysiologic links between these two disorders are not well understood. However, both disorders share cerebellar abnormalities. Therefore, we have characterized a novel mouse model in which the Tsc2 gene was selectively deleted from cerebellar Purkinje cells (Tsc2f/-;Cre). …

An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of Speech And Language Interventions With Students With Asd Using Telepractice, Michelle Kathleen Boisvert

Open Access Dissertations

There is a national shortage of school-based Speech Language Pathologists (SLP). Schools located in rural and geographically remote areas are often impacted by the shortage, and as a result students with an autism spectrum disorder may not receive services that are mandated by their Individual Education Plan. This study examined the use of telepractice as a method of delivery of speech and language services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders in rural areas. A quasi-experimental, single-subject, time-series design was employed. The treatment conditions were manipulated. A counter-balancing methodology was used to control for order effects in this study. Inter-observer agreement …

Assessing Teacher Attitude Toward The Inclusion Of Students With Autism., Stephanie Elaine Wilkerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine the relationship between the attitudes of public school teachers and the inclusion of students with autism in the general education classroom highlighting individual teacher characteristics that correlated with agreement or disagreement with inclusion. Participants included regular and special education teachers currently teaching in a South Central Kentucky educational cooperative. Data were collected from the purposive population using a demographic questionnaire and a modified version of the Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion Scale (TATIS, Cullen, Gregory, & Noto, 2010). Teacher attitude toward inclusion of students with autism as measured by the modified TATIS …

Gray Matters: Autism, Impairment, And The End Of Binaries, Kevin Barry

San Diego Law Review

First diagnosed by psychiatrist Leo Kanner in 1943, autism has exploded into the public consciousness in recent years. From science to science fiction, academia to popular culture, autism has captured the world's attention and imagination. Autism has also ignited a fierce debate among stakeholders who seek to define its essence. Many parents of autistic children regard autism as a scourge and press for a cure. The "neurodiversity movement," comprised mostly of autistic adults, regards autism as a different way of being worthy of respect and even celebration. The autism war is well underway, and given autism's swelling ranks and proposed …

Self-Report Anxiety And Depression Ratings Among Adolescents With An Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparison Of Individuals With And Without A History Of Sexual Offending, Stephanie N Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The following study seeks to determine if there are differences in anxiety and/or depression symptoms between adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have been adjudicated for a sexual offense compared to adolescents with an ASD who are not adjudicated. The scores of 26 adolescent offenders diagnosed with an ASD were compared to the scores of 14 non-offending adolescents with an ASD on the following measures: The Behavioral Assessment System for Children- Second Edition (BASC-2) depression and anxiety subscales, and the Beck's Depression Inventory- Second Edition (BDI-II). An examination of whether broad band (BASC-2) vs. narrow band (BDI-II) measures …

Coaching In An Interactive Virtual Reality To Increase Fidelity Of Implementation Of Discrete Trial Teaching, Krista Vince Garland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In teacher preparation, more effective pathways and practices are needed for preparing, placing, and supporting beginning teachers and principals (Darling-Hammond, 2010; U.S. Department of Education, 2009b). A common issue in the field of special education is the lack of skill transfer from one setting to another (Dieker, Hynes, Hughes, & Smith, 2008). It has been posited that “practicing up” is not ethical in that novice teachers must attempt to teach with a limited knowledge of appropriate pedagogy and skill (Dieker et al., 2008). The new challenge becomes finding an effective mechanism that provides essential learning experiences and opportunities to refine …

Disability Rights And Services In Nevada, Janet S. Belcove-Shalin

Social Health of Nevada Reports

For ages, people with disabilities faced hardship and condescension from the general public. As recently as the 19th century, individuals with serious physical or mental issues were singled out for pity, shunned by society, and urged to accept their afflictions as God’s will. The government offered no assistance to the impaired, relying instead on almsgiving by religious institutions and philanthropic organizations.

Empowering Students With Autism: An Investigation Of School Practices Through The Lens Of The Special Education Administrator, Jenny Rebecca Mcclintic

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author's abstract: This qualitative study explored the perspectives of special education administrators employed in three school districts in Georgia regarding the empowerment of students with autism spectrum disorders. Participants were first given a screening survey and later interviewed via telephone in reference to empowering practices present in their individual districts. Participants were given the options to be included in the telephone survey. This study draws on the research from the National Research Council's findings published in as Educating Children with Autism (2001) and other leaders in the field of educational interventions. This study provides an analysis of their responses and …

Assessment Of Anxiety In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders In The Schools, Amy Dasaro

Theses

This study surveyed school psychologists to explore rating scales being used to assess for in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in the school setting. Participants were randomly selected from the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP) membership directory. For this sample, the most commonly used rating scales were the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2000) instruments for assessing anxiety in students with ASD. The BASC-2 instruments were reported to be most useful for screening compared to treatment planning, progress monitoring, and eligibility determination. Usefulness of the BASC-2 for parent and teacher scales were predicted …

Perceived Levels Of Confidence And Knowledge Of Autism Between Paraprofessionals In Kentucky Schools And Parents Of Children With Autism, Laura Nichole Baker

Online Theses and Dissertations

A total of 173 special education paraprofessionals and 49 parents of children with autism responded to a survey investigating perceived levels of confidence and knowledge of autism. The purpose of this study was to determine if paraprofessionals assigned to children with autism in Kentucky public schools were adequately trained, skilled and knowledgeable in their provision of services to children with autism. Parents scored significantly higher in their amount of autism knowledge when compared to paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals were found to be significantly more confident in their ability to provide instructional support to children diagnosed with autism than were the parents. Results …