explaining autism to middle school readers · findings on sensory deficits in autism: implications...
TRANSCRIPT
Explaining Autism to Middle School Readers
Elana Abelson
My Major: Disability Studies
Foundational Questions
● What does it mean to live a good life?● What does it mean to help?● How do different societies view disability?● What is the science behind pervasive developmental
disorders?● How can the arts be used in rehabilitation programs?
Classes
● Psychology● Biology● Exercise Science● Ethics● Anthropology● Social Work● English● Dance
Supplemental Experiences
● Laura Baker● Fairview● Camp Hand-in-Hand● Upstream Arts● Research Assistant at Gillette
What is Autism?
● According to the DSM V:○ Difficulties in communication and social interactions○ Restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, activities○ Symptoms present early on○ Cause clinically significant impairment in functioning
● Change from DSM IV:○ Includes autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, pervasive developmental
disorder
The Gap
Senior Project
● Prologue● Chapter for kids● Guide for parents● Interview
Interviews with Professionals
“Emphasize that you are not autism.”
“You have a really good brain, but one of the things we know that’s harder for your brain than other kids is making friends and knowing what to say to friends. But I also know that your memory for baseball facts is greater than any other kid, Everybody has things that are difficult for them.”
“The hardest thing is that (typically developing kids) are afraid to approach them or make the move to be friends with these kids.”
“They realize it’s okay to be outside their comfort zone and then they are so much more willing to try more things outside the studio walls that they might not have otherwise. They're okay being uncomfortable and knowing this is challenging them.”
Structuring an Interview to Minimize Harm
● Clear wording● Lack of symbolism, irony, metaphor…● Have alternate explanations of questions● Provide list of questions beforehand● Allow ample time for response● Consider location● Avoid multi-step questions● Acknowledging: I want to understand what it’s like for you
Interviews with Young Adults with Autism
● What do you want to tell people about living with autism?● What do you like about having autism? What is difficult about having
autism?● What activities do you participate in outside of school?● What do you want to be when you grow up?● How can parents and teachers help someone with autism through a
frustrating or overwhelming situation?
Characteristics
● Repetitive or stereotypical movements, interests
● Trouble with social interactions
● Hypersensitivities or hyposensitivities
● Motor learning ● Misconceptions● Usually present by 12-18
months
Sensory Issues
● 70-80% of people with autism have sensory issues
● Hypersensitive● Hyposensitive● Sensory interests,
repetitions and seeking behaviors (SIRS)
● Enhanced perception ● Ameliorated with age● Motor learning &
cerebellum
Genetics
● 1 in 68 kids have ASD ● Interactions of 100s of
genes● More prevalent in boys
When sibling has ASD, more likely that younger siblings will also have ASD
● Genetics often shared with other disorders
● Converge on similar pathways (synaptic & immune)
Neuroimaging
● Toddlers have lower brain volume that disappears with age ● General cerebral enlargement ● Enlarged caudate nucleus and amygdala ● Frontal lobe abnormalities ● Atypical white matter
Therapies
History
● Leo Kanner● Hans Asperger● Lorna Wing
Cultural Considerations
● Reactive Attachment Disorder ● Navajo Tribe: teacher with unique gifts● “If people in León do no recognize the
differences in people with autism, does it really exist?
● Collectivist societies ● Origin of autism ● “Allah’s will”
Policy and Language
● IDEIA○ IEPs○ Least restrictive environment○ Free & Appropriate Education
The Neurodiversity Movement
● Judy Singer & Civil Rights ● Natural variation● “autistic person”● Opposed to medical
model● “If I could snap my
fingers and be nonautistic, I would not. Autism is part of what I am.” -Temple Grandin
Parent Chapter
What strengths do you (or your sibling) have because of autism?
What do you (or your sibling) struggle with? Who helps you when you struggle with something? What strategies do you have?
The neurodiversity movement believes autism should be celebrated. What can you celebrate about autism? What can you celebrate about yourself? Are there any overlaps?
Resources
● Upstream Arts & Interact● Fraser Center● Autism Society of MN● Global Voice for Autism
QUESTIONS?
References
An, J.Y., & Claudianos, C. (2016). Genetic heterogeneity in autism: From single gene to a pathway perspective. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 68, 442-453. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.013 Ausderau, K., Sideris, J., Furlong, M., Little, L.M., Bullock, J., & Baranek, G.T. (2014). National survey of sensory features in children with ASD: Factor structure of the sensory experience questionnaire (3.0). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 915-925. DOI 10.1007/s10803-013-1945-1 Caminha, R.C., & Lampreia, C. (2012). Findings on sensory deficits in autism: Implications for understanding the disorder. Psychology & Neuroscience, 5(2), 231-237. DOI: 10.3922/j.psns.2012.2.14 Carbone, P.S. (2013). Moving from research to practice in the primary care of children with autism spectrum disorders. Academic Pediatrics, 13(5), 390-399. Case-Smith, J., & Arbesman, M. (2008). Evidence-based review of interventions for autism used in or of relevance to occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 416-429. Dyches, T.T., Wilder, l.K., Sudweeks, R.R., Obiakor, F.E., & Algozzine, B. (2004). Multicultural issues in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 211-222. Geschwind, D.H., & State, M.W. (2015). Gene hunting in autism spectrum disorder: On the path to precision medicine. The Lancet Neurology, 14, 1109-1120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S1474-4422(15)00044-7
References Continued
Hannant, P., Tavassoli, T., & Cassidy, S. (2016). The role of sensorimotor difficulties in autism spectrum conditions. Frontiers in Neurology, 7, 1-11. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00124
Jaarmsa, P., & Welin, S. (2012). Autism as a natural human variation: Reflections on the claims of the neurodiversity movement. Health Care Analysis, 20, 20-30. DOI 10.1007/s10728-011-0169-9 Johnson, C.P., & Myers, S.M. (2007). Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1183-1215. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-2361 Johsnon, C.P., & Myers, S.M. (2007). Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5,) 1162-1182. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2362Kim, H.U. (2012). Autism across cultures: Rethinking autism. Disability & Society, 27(4), 535-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.659463 Ravindran, N., & Myers, B.J. (2012). Cultural influences on perceptions of health, illness, and disability: A review and focus on autism. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21, 311-319. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-011-9477-9 Qi, X.M., Xaroff, C.M., Bernardo, A.B. (2016). Autism spectrum disorder etiology: Lay beliefs and the role of cultural values and social axioms. Autism, 20(6), 673-686. DOI: 10.1177/1362361315602372 Wolff, S. (2004). The history of autism. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 13, 201-208. DOI 10.1007/s00787-004-0363-5