Research and Current Practice

All Blog Posts (130)

ASDs and Public School Settings

It is certainly not an easy task modifying curriculum and accommodating students with ASDs in the public school setting. This takes a great deal of time, effort, and patience on behalf of the teachers, related service providers, school psychologist, and administrators. Kristina Chew, one of my favorite autism bloggers, recently spoke about her frustrations with her son's school. I wanted to share with you... Click… Continue

Added by ariane321 on November 4, 2009 at 9:42am — No Comments

Asperger's Syndrome: An Obsolete Diagnosis?

The New York Times reported that the new DSM-V, which is set for release in 2012, may do away with the Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis altogether.... Check it out here....What do you think? Continue

Added by ariane321 on November 2, 2009 at 6:16pm — No Comments

A NYC College Program for Students with ASDs

For those parents who are concerned about your Aspie son/daughter's transition from high school to college, Pace University may be a great option. The BOSS (Build on Special Strengths) program has been developed for high functioning students on the autistic spectrum who have demonstrated the potential for tackling college level material. The students are fully integrated into undergraduate classes, re… Continue

Added by ariane321 on October 29, 2009 at 5:52pm — No Comments

Prevalence rates of Autism is now 1 in 91, folks.

A new study reported the prevalence rate for ASDs in the United States as 1 in 91 children including 1 in 58 boys. Although this is viewed as alarming by many, I see this ratio (at the very least) in my own schools.... Keep educating, integrating, and accepting/accommodating those who are neuro-different.... Continue

Added by ariane321 on October 5, 2009 at 6:39pm — No Comments

Amazing Race 15: A contestant with Asperger's Syndrome!

The Amazing Race features a constestant with AS....help cheer on Zev, who is described "an avid sports fan — especially basketball — and he has an intense competitive spirit. He describes himself as funny, modest, and loyal, and is running the Race to prove to himself that he can do anything!!" The Amazing Race is on Sunday nights on CBS at 8pm... Continue

Added by ariane321 on October 3, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Excellent Asperger's Resource for Educators and Parents

Check out Education.com's special edition about Asperger's Syndrome. This site includes a variety of articles from well regarded researchers in the field such as Dr. Brenda Smith Myles and Dr. Tony Attwood, providing information from empirically-supported academic and social skill interventions to personal reflections of those on the autisitic spectrum. I found the Special Interest Area… Continue

Added by ariane321 on October 3, 2009 at 4:55pm — No Comments

If you are on the autism spectrum, have a child on the spectrum or love someone on the spectrum

If you are on the autism spectrum, have a child on the spectrum or love someone on the spectrum, join Mad As A Hatter to speak your mind about autism, charities, and awareness. http://budurl.com/autism930 Continue

Added by Amy Domestico on September 30, 2009 at 11:07am — No Comments

Interview with Dr. Tony Attwood

Came across an interesting website that reviews recent research on autism spectrum disorders called lookingupautism.org Here is an interview conducted with Dr. Tony Attwood, a clinical psychologist from Australia who is considered one of the leading experts in Asperger's Syndrome: ADAM FEINSTEIN: Asperger’s syndrome has been recognised only relatively recently as a specific disorder. What do you think have been the major advances i… Continue

Added by ariane321 on September 14, 2009 at 7:51pm — No Comments

Tips for middle and high school educators for accommodating students with ASDs

I received this from Pat Schissel's AHA yahoo group...(AHA-AS-PDD@yahoogroups.com) Here are some tips that may help the school year go a little easier for you and your student on the spectrum: 1) It’s a good idea to have a hard copy of the homework assignment to hand to your students on the spectrum, because most of them are mono-channel. This means they cannot look at the assignment on the board, write it down and still be able to focus on what you are saying. By the time they have finished c… Continue

Added by ariane321 on September 9, 2009 at 4:00pm — 1 Comment

New DVD helps students with ASD handle bullies

Model Me Kids has produced an educational DVD series targeting bullying for children ages 9-17 with ASD. The series is appropriate for both educators and parents and specifically teaches skills for building self-esteem. Model Me Confidence™ shows children acting out an appropriate behavior in a real-world situation. Skills covered include: Self-Advocacy, Peer Pressure, Choosing Friends, Building Strengths, Visualization,… Continue

Added by ariane321 on September 9, 2009 at 3:41pm — 2 Comments

Get 3 FREE Dissertation Topics Without Spending a Single PENNY!

3 Free Dissertation Topics??? Really??? Well… You must be reading this post just to confirm if the statement is true OR “Free Dissertation Topics” under discussion are those that must have been overly-used? Well… the good news is a “Dissertation Writing Service” is offering “Free Dissertation Topics” according to the request of students just because they wan… Continue

Added by Cassidy David on August 26, 2009 at 1:18am — No Comments

The Top 6 Ways to Facilitate Your Dissertation Writing Process

Dissertation writing is not an easy task and it is extremely challenging for almost all students. Dissertation writing is the most important part of your degree. It requires dedication, perseverance, ability to do in-depth research and determination. Writing dissertation is challenging but not impossible and you should try to facilitate your dissertation wri… Continue

Added by Rose Tyler on July 4, 2009 at 4:08am — 1 Comment

A Genetic Clue to Why Autism Affects Boys More

A Genetic Clue to Why Autism Affects Boys More Among the many mysteries that befuddle autism researchers: why the disorder affects boys four times more often than girls. But in new findings reported online today by the journal Molecular Psychiatry, researchers say they have found a genetic clue that may help explain the disparity. The newly discovered autism-risk gene, identified by authors as CACNA1G, is more common in boys than in girls (why that's so is still not clear), and the authors su… Continue

Added by Mike on June 17, 2009 at 9:18am — 1 Comment

Summer Camp in Manhattan for children with ASDs

Since it is apparent that affordable summer camps that cater to children with developmental differences is a rareity in these parts, I figured that I'd post the following information: Camp Kulam, a program run through the Jewish Community Center on the upper west side of Manhattan, offers swimming, art, and summer fun. It is described as "a warm and welcoming camp experience for children with special needs, ages 6-9." The… Continue

Added by ariane321 on June 7, 2009 at 7:30pm — 1 Comment

AUTREAT 2009: An annual conference run by individuals on the Autistic Spectrum

This year's conference will take place during the week of June 29th at the Bradford campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Advance registration is required to attend and registration must be received by June 15th. For more information, please go to http://www.autreat.com Here is some pertinent information from the website: Things you will not find at Autreat: Crowded, noisy hotel or conference center Exhausting, intensive schedule Inescapable sens… Continue

Added by ariane321 on June 2, 2009 at 6:32pm — No Comments

I said I'd never work for that SOB again

I lied. :lol: I ran a little photography business when I was in my last two years of high school. When I graduated in 1958, I closed the business and went into the military to get schooling in electroncs. As much as I liked photography, I was not happy having a business where I took pictures on demand from other people. Electronics was a good career for, as it threw me into constant contact with other strange and wonderful people. People who understood me and whom I understood. I worked mostly… Continue

Added by ec Roberts on May 24, 2009 at 10:13am — No Comments

AS and aging

I have been retired from driving school bus for about a year and a half, now. I didn't want to retire, but I was no longer safe, due to returning AS symptoms. The one causing the problem is one I've had control over since I was about 9 or 10. Once I started shooting long distance competition with the 30-06, I'd been able to turn on or turn off the hyper-focus. As I did every year since starting to drive kids on a school bus, I reviewed my performance over the Christmas Break. I realized I was e… Continue

Added by ec Roberts on May 23, 2009 at 4:21pm — No Comments

Government report shows widespread abuse of special needs students in schools

I am horrified. With everything we know about positive behavior supports, how can students continue to be exposed to dangerous punishment methods?? Since there is currently no standard regulations on discipline techniques for students in school, some educators and administrations have resorted to "quick fixes" such as the use of handcuffs, other types of restraints, and seclusion for hours to address maladpative or disruptive behaviors. This is victimization at its worst and I thank House Commit… Continue

Added by ariane321 on May 19, 2009 at 7:35pm — No Comments

Genetic Variations That Play Key Role in Autism Are Identified in New Studies

Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2009 Genetic Variations That Play Key Role in Autism Are Identified in New Studies By Claudia Wallis Eileen Muniz of Mohegan Lake, New York, cannot imagine what bizarre twist of fate caused all three of her children to be afflicted with autism spectrum disorders. There's no family history of autism, she says. "You always ask yourself: is it me? Is it him [her ex-husband]? I had my kids late — in my mid-30s. Was I on the birth control pill too long? I never did drugs. I don't s… Continue

Added by Mike on May 7, 2009 at 2:54pm — 1 Comment

Autism and Genius

The Economist published an article examining the research supporting the link between autism and extraordinary ability. Many researchers have noted that some of the criteria (restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests) required for an ASD diagnosis may be the basis for the development of savant gifts/talents. The article ends with: Savant syndrome, then, is a case where the politically correct e… Continue

Added by ariane321 on April 17, 2009 at 7:53am — No Comments