Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Eye Tracking Investigation Of The Pragmatic Language Comprehension Abilities Of Children With Autism, Kristina Curro

Doctoral Dissertations

Autism is a disorder of the comprehension and use of pragmatic language. Children with autism often display heterogeneous patterns of language ability even when language is considered a strength. This real-time analysis is a partial replication of Sedivy et al. (1999) who found evidence for incremental processing of pragmatic language in real-time with adults. This investigation focused on prosodic focus and scalar adjective comprehension in children with and without autism. Results show that children with autism successfully interpret prosodic focus when interpreting intersective adjectives but show processing delays in interpreting scalar adjectives. Implications for pragmatic language processing differences between children …

Automating Autism: Disability, Discourse, And Artificial Intelligence, Os Keyes

The Journal of Sociotechnical Critique

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems shift to interact with new domains and populations, so does AI ethics: a relatively nascent subdiscipline that frequently concerns itself with questions of “fairness” and “accountability.” This fairness-centred approach has been criticized for (amongst other things) lacking the ability to address discursive, rather than distributional, injustices. In this paper I simultaneously validate these concerns, and work to correct the relative silence of both conventional and critical AI ethicists around disability, by exploring the narratives deployed by AI researchers in discussing and designing systems around autism. Demonstrating that these narratives frequently perpetuate a dangerously dehumanizing model …

Unmet Medical Home Needs And Educational Services Access In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sabrin Rizk

Theses and Dissertations

One in 54 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the U.S. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a primary care model defined as accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally-effective care for children with ASD, jointly with educational services. Children with ASD use educational services for cognitive, social, and behavioral needs. Educational services include early intervention (EI) through EI plans or school services under special education plans in public schools. Linking health and educational services reduces fragmented care and collaboratively addresses the needs of children with ASD. Although the AAP has asserted efforts to …

Interactive Sonification To Assist Children With Autism During Motor Therapeutic Interventions, Franceli L. Cibrian, Judith Ley-Flores, Joseph W. Newbold, Aneesha Singh, Nadia Bianchi-Berthouze, Monica Tentori

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Interactive sonification is an effective tool used to guide individuals when practicing movements. Little research has shown the use of interactive sonification in supporting motor therapeutic interventions for children with autism who exhibit motor impairments. The goal of this research is to study if children with autism understand the use of interactive sonification during motor therapeutic interventions, its potential impact of interactive sonification in the development of motor skills in children with autism, and the feasibility of using it in specialized schools for children with autism. We conducted two deployment studies in Mexico using Go-with-the-Flow, a framework to sonify movements …

Little Is Known About Cannabidiol For Improving Severe Behavioral Symptoms Of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Keerteshwrya Mishra

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report appraising Barchel D, Stolar O, De-Haan T, et al. Oral cannabidiol use in children with autism spectrum disorder to treat related symptoms and co-morbidities. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01521

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 …

Effectiveness Of A One Year Oral Health Educational And Preventive Program In Improving Oral Health Knowledge And Oral Hygiene Practices Of A Group Of Autistic Egyptian Children And Their Caregivers, E.A. Abdallah, N.E. Metwalli, A.S. Badran

Future Dental Journal

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro developmental disorder characterized by severe damage in social interaction, language, behavior and cognitive function. Aim: The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a specially designated educational and preventive program for 1 year in reducing caries activity and preventing caries and periodontal diseases among group of autistic Egyptian children, also to assess the behavior of each child in every visit and to assess the effectiveness of a specially designated educational program in improving oral health knowledge, attitudes and oral practices of parents and caregivers of these children. Basic research design: Longitudinal …

Caring For Aging Patients With Idd/Asd/Spmi, E. Adel Herge, Otd, Otr/L, Faota, Rachelle Rene, Phd, Mary M. Stephens, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

Outline and Objectives:

• What are we talking about?
• Prevalence and associated co-morbidities
• Healthy aging pearls for special populations
• A case: Dr. Herge. . . . From the OT perspective
• Best practices for referral and resources
• A case: Dr. Rene. . . .From the behavioral health perspective
• Best practices for referral and resources

Autism Awareness Among The Lebanese Population, Nourhan El Zein Beirut Arab University, Faculty Of Medicine, Alaa Hajjar, Nadia Jradi Senior Lecturer Of Pediatrics, Department Of Clinical Sciences, Faculty Of Medicine

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by persistent problems in social communication and interaction; it is currently diagnosed in 1 out of every 67 children. Symptoms of ASD are most commonly recognized in the second year of life, but may be present earlier. Although there is no medical cure for autism, some intervention plans can improve attention, learning and related behaviors; outcome is significantly improved if early intervention is provided. Therefore, promoting autism awareness can assure an early diagnosis and subsequently an early intervention to provide each person with ASD the opportunity to achieve the highest possible …

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 …

Self Regulation Protocol For Move Inclusive Dance, Rebecca Denton

OTD Capstone Projects

Due to the prevalence of autism, Down Syndrome, and sensory processing disorder in the dancers of MOVE Inclusive Dance, a self regulation protocol was formed. This protocol will help the dancers transition from the studio to recital hall in a sensory inclusive way. The protocol is a holistic program that lasts 6 weeks and encompasses numerous aspects including yoga, sensory room, visual supports, social narratives, and optional nutrition guide.

Circus In Motion: A Multimodal Exergame Supporting Vestibular Therapy For Children With Autism, Oscar Peña, Franceli L. Cibrian, Monica Tentori

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Exergames are serious games that involve physical exertion and are thought of as a form of exercise by using novel input models. Exergames are promising in improving the vestibular differences of children with autism but often lack of adaptation mechanisms that adjust the difficulty level of the exergame. In this paper, we present the design and development of Circus in Motion, a multimodal exergame supporting children with autism with the practice of non-locomotor movements. We describe how the data from a 3D depth camera enables the tracking of non-locomotor movements allowing children to naturally interact with the exergame . A …

Impacts Of Motor And Sensory Impairment On Language In Young Children With Autism, Elizabeth A. Bisi

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with varying degrees of deficit in the broader areas of social communication and stereotyped behaviors, but emerging research proposes delayed motor skill and atypical sensory processing as additional factors worth closer examination. In the current study, I sought to investigate the impacts of visual motor skills and sensory differences on language ability in young children with autism. I hypothesized that young children with autism, atypical sensory processing (Short Sensory Profile, 2^nd Edition), and impaired visual motor integration (Beery VMI, 6^th Edition) would have the most impacted language ability scores (Differential Ability …

Visual Perspective Taking In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Erin L. Reilly

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulty in recognizing environmental perspectives other than their own. Perspective-taking deficits impact language use and understanding in discourse and more general social and cognitive function. Despite extensive research on perspective taking abilities in individuals with ASD, many factors have not been fully examined. This study further examined the contribution of angular disparity, anthropomorphism of an observer, and language use on visual perspective-taking.

Individuals with (ASD) demonstrate a strength in visual spatial cognition and a weakness in visual social cognition. This study examined the factors that may cause people with ASD to have difficulties …

Development Of An Aba Tool Kit For Audiologists To Increase Hearing Aid Wear Time In Individuals With Autism, Lindsay Brown

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

When working with individuals with the dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), audiologists are often faced with unique challenges and must adapt their approach in order to more effectively address the needs of these individuals. Currently, there is only a small body of research focused on the special considerations required for appropriately fitting and utilizing amplification for children with the dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and ASD. Subsequently, recommendations and strategies for clinicians to implement when faced with these common challenges, specifically of hearing aid compliance and appropriate hearing aid wear time, are lacking. It is important to …

Wernicke’S Area In Autism: Rsfmri Study, Sydney Osbarn

Honors Theses

We investigated the functional connectivity of Wernicke’s Area and its right homologue (Planum Temporale) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing individuals. We used resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze these areas in 145 participants from The University of Michigan via ABIDE. As a retest sample, we also used data from a University of Pittsburgh cohort. There is weakened functional connectivity between Wernicke’s Area and Planum Temporale in individuals with ASD as opposed to typically developing individuals. Participants with ASD did not have greater connectivity in other regions compared to the control group. Pragmatics, nonverbalism, …

Acoustic And Perceptual Characteristics Of Prosody In Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Impact Of Language, Motor Speech, And Auditory Processing, Colleen Gargan

Doctoral Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual’s social communication, social interaction, and behavior (American Psychological Association, 2013). A striking feature that distinguishes some individuals with autism from their peers without autism is “atypical” prosody. A between-group study was conducted to investigate prosody, speech motor control, auditory processing of pitch, and trained listener ratings of prosodic “naturalness” among adolescents with ASD (n=17) compared to TD controls (n=17) matched for age, gender and language. The specific aims of this study were to: (1) determine if individuals with ASD have significant acoustic-perceptual differences in their receptive and …

Benefits Of Nonpharmacological And Pharmacological Treatments In Autistic Children, Amanda Cheng

Nursing | Senior Theses

Autism is a disorder that affects one in 59 children in the United States. The spectrum disorder affects individuals in early childhood and daily functioning. They may display limited spontaneous language and play and have difficulty in processing social messages. The literature review examines the benefits of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The proposed study will be guided by the phenomenology theory. Based on this theory, semi-structured interviews will focus on caregiver’s perceptions of their children’s reactions, needs, and care in healthcare settings. The literature review reveals how certain interventions and treatments have helped …

Social Conformity And The Line Judgement Task For Adolescents With Asd, Jamie Mcclendon

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

The primary intent of this study is to add to the growing research regarding social functioning and theory of mind (ToM) of young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study takes into account the Solomon Asch line judgement tasks effect on peer pressure and social conformity. Previous research has shown that there is a discrepancy in the conformity exhibited by typically developing individuals (TD) and ASD individuals. This study seeks to address the degree to which ASD individuals are affected by social influence and how likely they will be to conform. Conformity rates will be compared to that of …

Perceptions Of Guilt Of Individuals With A Visible Communication Disorder Versus An Invisible Communication Disorder, Zoe Hochberg

Honors Scholar Theses

This study explored how communication disorders may impact listeners’ perception of guilt. More specifically, it looked at how visible communication disorders (e.g., stuttering) and invisible communication disorders (e.g., high functioning autism) are judged by the general public. 51 adults (18-71 years) participated in the study which asked them to view video recordings of narrative samples produced by an individual who stuttered (PWS), an individual with high-functioning autism (PHFA), and an individual with no communication disorder (PNCD). Participants were not informed of the individuals’ communication abilities (PWS, PHFA, or PNCD), but were told that one of the individuals had committed a …

Gut Pathophysiology In Mouse Models Of Social Behavior Deficits, Kyla Scott

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass neurodevelopment disorders characterized by atypical patterns of development that impact multiple areas of functioning beginning in early childhood. The etiology of ASD is unknown and there are currently no preventative treatment options. Gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly associated comorbidities. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a multidirectional communication chain that connects the central and enteric nervous system that relates brain function to peripheral intestinal functions. Changes within this axis have been postulated in ASD. For example, the “leaky gut theory” proposes that chronic inflammation is linked to alterations in the bacterial profiles of the gut microbiome and subsequent …

Searching For Neural Mechanisms Of Social Cognition, Chandler Siemonsma, Cristina Uribe, Louanne Boyd, Aaron Schurger, Deanna Hughes, Tian Lan

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Social cognition involves the integration and pruning of perceptual information which leads to the formation of an abstract representation, which is also known as the perceptual gist. This study examined 87 differences in visual perception of Mooney face stimuli of differing sizes and the relationship to gist formation in ten individuals with autism compared to neurotypical controls. Parents of both groups completed the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) to assess social functioning in real-world scenarios.

Assessing Controlling Stimuli For Safety Responses In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Andrea Giraldo

Thesis Projects

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be less likely to generalize newly learned responses. Lack in generalized responding from one setting to another setting could be because of the presence or absence of specific stimuli. Identifying the stimuli that are influencing the response is critical when teaching safety skills to children with ASD. This study assessed the functional relation between stimuli and response. The experimenters extended the methodology used by Halle and Holt (1991) to identify the controlling stimuli for an identification response to community helpers in various locations. The stimulus parameters that were assessed during the current study …

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 …

Home Assessment Modifications For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Sensory Processing Disorder, Danielle Stelbasky

OTD Capstone Projects

Based off of the identified needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the goals of this project were to investigate and implement modifications in homes due to specific challenges these individuals face. Coinciding with Tucker's House Agency mission and vision, and incorporating the PEO model as a guideline, Tucker's House staff and EC student created projects to enhance occupational performance in individuals with ASD by reducing environmental barriers in their home.

Pilot Study Of The Just Right Challenge Feeding Protocol For Treatment Of Food Selectivity In Children, Michelle A. Suarez, Elsie Bush

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. This pilot study investigated the Just Right Challenge Feeding Protocol, a multicomponent treatment protocol for food selectivity that combines escape extinction, positive reinforcement, and systematic desensitization.

Method. This study used a single-subject, multiple-baseline-across-participants design to investigate whether treatment produced increases in the food inventories for seven children. All of the children in the study started with parent report of fewer than 15 foods in their dietary repertoire. A sensory profile for each child provided information for treatment planning and interpretation of the results of the study.

Results. Five out of the seven children accepted significantly more …

Managing During Covid-19 Webpage, University Of Maine Maine Autism Institute For Education And Research

Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research

Screenshot of University of Maine's Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research webpage suspending activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance for coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maine Autism Institute For Education And Research Resources, University Of Maine Maine Autism Institute For Education And Research

Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research

Screenshot of University of Maine's Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research webpage with guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corrigendum: Saccade Latency Provides Evidence For Reduced Face Inversion Effects With Higher Autism Traits (Frontiers In Human Neuroscience, (2020), 13, 10.3389/Fnhum.2019.00470), Robin Laycock, Kylie Wood, Andrea Wright, Sheila G. Crewther, Melvyn A. Goodale

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Copyright © 2020 Laycock, Wood, Wright, Crewther and Goodale. In the original article, there was a mistake in the published legend for Figure 2. The results for the high and low Autism Trait (AT) groups were mistakenly interchanged. The correct legend appears below. Figure 2. (A) Average saccade onset times (SOTs) to detect the photograph containing a face or a car in the upright and inverted tasks for high and low Autism Trait (AT) Groups. (B) Face and car inversion effects, calculated as the difference in mean SOTs between upright and inverted tasks for high and low AT Groups. Error …

Caregiver Burden, Coping Mechanisms And Catharsis: An Exploratory Study, Triveni Goswami Vernal

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

Adopting a qualitative approach, with narrative analysis, an attempt will be made to understand the experience of ‘Caregiver Burden’ amongst 5-7 primary caregivers of children with Autism, in India. An attempt will also be made to capture their coping mechanisms and cathartic behaviours, to reduce stress. To this end, a Caregiver Burden Inventory and an Open Ended questionnaire, touching upon the main issues, will be used. The study also aims to perceive how autonomy as a personality trait can play a significant role in empowering oneself as a caregiver and subsequently have noteworthy consequences on the coping mechanisms and cathartic …