The theoretical part of the thesis is a description of educating of the gifted child with Asperger's syndrome in the context of psychological and institutional educational support led by experts. The theoretical part is the starting point for the research part of the thesis which aims to find out how to improve the educating of the gifted child with Asperger's syndrome in ordinary primary schools. The selected method of mixed research is Action Teaching Research in other research methods: observation, interviewing, analysis of the final work and analysis of personal documentation. KEYWORDS Talent, gifted pupil identification, Asperger's syndrome, forms and methods of work, a pedagogical support plan, family

The prevalence of autism in the United States is 1 in 68 children. African American children are less likely to receive advance testing to confirm the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (AS) compared to other ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to determine if demographic factors (parental education level, family annual income, marital status of custodial parent(s), parent ethnicity, number of children in home, other children with disability, family location, mother age at time of birth, gender of child, birth status of child, adoption status and age, child order, and other disability) have any predictive relationship to AS diagnosis among African American children in the Washington Metropolitan area. A quantitative correlational study of a cross-sectional nature was conducted using a survey to collect data from parents of children age 3-16 (n= 187) who may or may not have a confirmed autism diagnosis. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory provided an understanding of how environmental factors may be related to a diagnosis of AS. Chi-square analyses were conducted and statistically significant higher frequencies of diagnosis were found in parents with no other child with a disability, later born children, and parents who have been married. Logistic regressions analysis resulted in parental marital status being found to be a statistically significant predictor of a child having an official AS diagnosis. There is a critical need to train health care professionals working in underserved communities where minority groups may reside about AS. Results from this study may provide information to develop policies, community-based services, and programs that ensure that children can receive an accurate AS diagnosis regardless of factors such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Abstract not available

This research identifies, and respond to, the particular challenges of teaching social skills to children with autistic characteristics, specifically in this case Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). For most children the process of understanding and developing non-verbal communication begins early in childhood. For children with AS this is not the case and non-verbal communication needs to be taught to them. This project provides support for the educators of children who require assistance in the social skills area. This has been achieved with a structured interactive computer prototype. This prototype has been designed with consideration for the unique cognitive attributes and sensory issues that AS individuals encounter. A visual language has been used to identify the routine of an everyday event, and to introduce the concept of change within this routine. The result provides these individuals with the most productive environment for learning.

The goal of this study was to examine the contributing factors to depression in young adult males with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) and controls. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between recalled relational peer victimization, self-perceived social competence, global self-worth, and symptoms of depression in individuals with HFASD compared to normal controls. Depression is one of the most prevalent comorbid conditions in the HFASD population. Individuals with autism are also subjected to high rates of peer victimization. Given that social abilities are impaired in individuals with autism, it was hypothesized that their experiences with victimization by peers, along with their self-perceived social competence and global self-worth, would help explain levels of depression. It was expected that higher levels of peer victimization, lower levels of self-perceived social competence, and lower levels of global self-worth would explain higher levels of depression. Additionally, it was expected that self-perceived social competence would mediate the effect of peer victimization on depression, global self-worth would mediate the effect of peer victimization on depression, and global self-worth would mediate the effect of self-perceived social competence on depression. Variables were measured with self-report questionnaires. Multiple regression and bootstrapping measures of indirect effects were used to examine the presumed effects. Participants included 40 males, ages 18-26; there were 21 control participants and 19 individuals with HFASDs. Individuals with HFASD had significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, lower levels of self-perceived social competence, lower levels of global self-worth, and a trend towards higher reports of peer victimization. Multiple regression analyses determined that peer victimization, global self-worth, and self-perceived social competence significantly predicted depressive symptoms in the total sample. Also, peer victimization significantly predicted self-perceived social competence and global self-worth. Additionally, self-perceived social competence significantly predicted global self-worth. Tests of indirect effects indicated that global self-worth mediated the effect of peer victimization on depression, self-perceived competence mediated the effect of peer victimization on depression, and global self-worth mediated the effect of self-perceived competence on depression. As a follow-up, this study also examined select HFASD participants' responses about how they defined bullying, as well as their perceived experiences with victimization. / text

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a existência de alterações visopercepto- motoras em pacientes com a síndrome de Asperger ou T.I.D. (Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento). Para tal, foi desenhado um estudo com dois grupos de trinta sujeitos do sexo masculino entre 12 e 30 anos. Trinta desses sujeitos com a síndrome de Asperger, diagnosticados através dos critérios do DSM-IV-TR, Escala de Traços Autístiscos (ATA), apresentando QS maior ou igual a 70 através das Escalas de Comportamento Adaptativo de Vineland. Os desempenhos nas escalas foram estatisticamente estudados e comparados com os resultados dos trinta sujeitos com desenvolvimento normal. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos às provas de Imitação de Gestos de Bèrges & Lèzine, Piaget-Head, Bender, prova de Cubos das escalas Wechsler e Escala social de Pelotas. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos aos testes relacionados de maneira padronizada. A escolha dos sujeitos e aplicação dos testes foi efetuada em escolas e centros clínicos especializados. As análises dos resultados demonstram diferenças significantes e déficit na organização perceptivo viso motora dos sujeitos com a síndrome de Asperger. A análise estatística por meio do t-independente, entre os dois grupos aponta para repostas discrepantes no grupo dos Aspergers com nível de significância (p0,05/0.05) evidenciando assim, melhor desempenho global em todas as escalas aplicadas nos sujeitos do grupo controle. A complexidade que envolve as noções de percepção espacial, motricidade e ação, bem como a lateralidade mostraram-se marcantes dificuldades na população estudada, sendo necessários novos estudos, prevenção, tratamento e orientações à família e escola / This study aimed to verify the existence of visual-perceptual-motor function changes in patients with Asperger syndrome or PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). To that objective, a study was developed with two groups of thirty male between 12 and 30 years old. Thirty of these people with Asperger\'s syndrome, were diagnosed by the DSM-IV-TR, Autistics Stroke Scale (ATA), with QS greater than or equal to 70 through the Adaptive Behavior Scales Vineland. The performance scales were statistically analyzed and compared with the results of thirty people with normal development. Both groups were tested for Imitation of gestures Bèrges & Lèzine, Piaget-Head, Bender, Cubes proof of Wechsler scales and Pelotas social scale. All people were tested in a standardized way. The choice of the people and tests application had been performed in specialized schools and clinical centers. Analyses of results showed significant differences and deficits in visual motor perceptual organization of individuals with Asperger syndrome.Statistical analysis by T-independent between the two groups points to the differing responses of the Aspergers group with significance (p 0.05 / 0.05), thus emphasizing the better overall performance on all scales applied in the control group.The complexities surrounding the notions of spatial perception and motor action as well as the handedness proved remarkable difficulties in the population studied, being necessary new studies, prevention, treatment and guidance to family and school

Syftet med denna studie har varit att belysa hur personal som arbetar nära unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom upplever att gruppens delaktighet i samhället ser ut. Vidare har vi undersökt vilka eventuella möjligheter och hinder som personalen anser att personer i denna grupp möter när de deltar i samhället samt hur personalen ser på framtiden för unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom i relation till delaktighet i samhället. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats och är fenomenologisk. Empirin består av sex intervjuer med personal inom socialtjänsten och i olika verksamheter inom LSS på uppdrag av socialtjänsten. De transkriberade intervjuerna har analyserat med hjälp av innehållsanalys. Våra resultat visar att unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom inte har full delaktighet i samhället, vilket har resulterat i utanförskap för denna grupp. Det framkommer även att det är samhällets 'normalbild' som skapar diskriminering och förtryck för människor med olika funktionsvariationer och att det sker till den grad att deras styrkor delvis förbises. Våra resultat visar också att även då unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom är stigmatiserade så pågår ett synliggörande som kan ge en positiv effekt på gruppens delaktighet i samhället. / The purpose of this study has been to illustrate how staff working closely with young adults with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome experience the group's participation in society. Furthermore, we have investigated what potential opportunities and obstacles that the staff consider that people in this group meet when they participate in society and how the staff view the future of young adults with Asperger's syndrome in relation to participation in society. We have had a qualitative phenomenological approach to our study. Field data consists of six interviews with staff working closely with the group, within the social service and in various LSS functions on behalf of social services. The transcribed interviews have been analyzed using a content analysis. Our results show that young adults with Asperger's syndrome experience insufficient participation in society, which has resulted in exclusion. It also appears that society's 'normal image' creates discrimination and oppression for people with different functional variations to the extent that their strengths are partially overlooked. Our results also show that even though young adults with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome are stigmatized there is an ongoing visualization that can have a positive effect on the groups participation in society.

The aim of the diploma thesis entitled Compensatory mechanisms in adults with Asperger's syndrome is to answer the main research question: What compensatory mechanisms do adults with Asperger's syndrome use during integration into society and what social consequences do they face? The diploma thesis is divided into two parts, theoretical and research. The theoretical part presents readers with expertise from Czech and foreign publications. The introductory part deals with the characteristic of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Asperger's syndromem (AS), etiology and interesting myths about the development of autism spectrum disorders. The following chapters provide information on the integration of adults with AS into society, possible barriers to social integration and social skills training that can be supported by social workers. The next chapters present a long-term prognosis, compensation mechanisms and their possible social consequences. The research part of the thesis focuses mainly on the collection and analysis of data oriented according to some elements of constructivist grounded theory (GTM). Interpretative qualitative research of the diploma thesis is realized through semi-structured interviews with adults with Asperger's syndrome and also with social workers from one organization,...

Objectifs. – Le haut potentiel intellectuel (HPI) concerne tant le champ du normal que celui du pathologique, et s’associe notamment au syndrome d’Asperger chez certains sujets. Aussi, des spécificités communes s'observent chez les enfants HPI comme chez ceux qui ont un syndrome d'Asperger. La reconnaissance et l'accompagnement de leurs particularités est un enjeu d'actualité, et pourtant aucune étude actuelle ne porte sur les relations entre ces deux entités. Dans une démarche exploratoire, cette recherche a ainsi pour objectif de mieux identifier ce qui rend similaire et ce qui distingue des enfants HPI, d'enfants qui ont un syndrome d'Asperger associé à un HPI. Méthode. – Cette étude porte sur l'analyse clinique comparative des bilans psychologiques de 11 garçons HPI et 6 garçons qui ont un syndrome d'Asperger et HPI. Ils ont entre 6 et 12 ans. Le bilan psychologique est composé d'un entretien semi-directif enfant-parents, de deux échelles (l'inventaire d'identification des enfants précoces et l'échelle Australienne du syndrome d'Asperger), de l'UDN-II et de tests projectifs (dessin de la famille, Rorschach et TAT). Résultats. – En terme de vécus et de représentations des protagonistes à l'égard du HPI et du syndrome d'Asperger, on observe communément une grande ambivalence (entre forces et vulnérabilités). En terme de tableaux cliniques, les similitudes se situent dans le fonctionnement cognitif, l'hyper-sensibilité sensorielle, émotionnelle et perceptive ainsi que dans la fragilité identitaire. L'anxiété, les troubles des conduites motrices, les rituels et TOCs et les difficultés sociales sont aussi communs aux deux groupes. Des TSA s'observent également chez les enfants HPI typiques. Les contrastes entre les deux groupes concernent la nature et la diversité des troubles qu'ils rencontrent, ainsi que la nature et l'intensité des particularités relationnelles et sociales. En terme de processus, la fragilité identitaire est commune à tous bien que la vulnérabilité des enveloppes soit plus importante chez les garçons qui ont un syndrome d'Asperger. Chez tous, l'espace relationnel est un terrain fragile, le contrôle rationnel l'emporte sur la liberté fantasmatique et l'angoisse est une angoisse de perte. Discussion. – Les résultats de cette recherche nous permettent d'affirmer que HPI et syndrome d'Asperger s'inscrivent dans un continuum. Ils semblent se faire écho, de même que sur-investissement de la pensée et défenses autistiques. Pour tous, le sur-investissement intellectuel serait force de pare-excitation. Conclusion. – Ce travail invite à poursuivre nos recherches cliniques dans le but de mieux saisir l’enjeu des difficultés de ces enfants et d'améliorer leurs prises en soin. / Aims. - High intellectual potential (HIP) concerns both normal and pathological area, and is particulary associated with Asperger's syndrome in some individuals. Also, common features are observed in children with HIP as in those with Asperger's syndrome. Recognition and supporting of their particularities is a topical issue, but no current or past study have dealt with the relations between these two entities. With an exploratory approach, this research aims to better identify what makes similar and distinguishes children with HIP, from children with Asperger' syndrome associated with HIP.Method. - This study relates on the comparative clinical analysis of the psychological assessments of 11 boys with HIP and 6 boys with Asperger's syndrome and HIP. All of them are from 6 to 12 years old. The psychological assessment includes a semi-structured child-parent interview, two scales (an inventory for gifted children and the Australian scale for Asperger's syndrome), the UDN-II and projective tests (drawing of the family, Rorschach and TAT).Results. - In terms of experiences and representations of the protagonists towards HIP and Asperger's Syndrome, there is commonly a great ambivalence (between strengths and vulnerabilities). In terms of clinical pictures, the similarities are located in cognitive functioning, sensory, emotional and perceptive hyper-sensitivity as well as in vulnerability felt. Anxiety, motor conduct disorders, rituals and OCDs, and social difficulties are also common to both groups. ASD are also seen in typical HIP children. The contrasts between the two groups concerns the nature and the diversity of their disorders, as well as the nature and the intensity of their relational and social particularities. In terms of process, vulnerability felt is common to both groups, although the shell is most vulnerable in boys with Asperger's syndrome. For all, the relational area is a fragile, rational control prevails over opportunity of fantasize, and anxiety is an anxiety of loss.Discussion. - The results of this research allow us to affirm that HIP and Asperger's syndrome are part of a continuum. They seem to echo each other, such as hyperinvestment of thought and autistic defenses. For all, the intellectual hyperinvestment would have a protective function.Conclusion. - This work invites us to continue our clinical studies in order to better understand the challenges of these children and improve their care.

Regular education teachers' self-efficacy may be negatively impacted due to a lack of professional development and experience teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research links teacher self-efficacy with increased student academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine to what degree training on ASD during and following teacher certification and experience had on overall teacher self-efficacy. This one-shot case study was based upon Bandura's theoretical construct of self-efficacy and secondarily on Tschannen-Moran, Woolfolk Hoy, and Hoy's theory of self-efficacy. The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scales (TSES) was used to collect data from regular education teachers with experience teaching students with ASD in 1st through 3rd grades in a Southern California school district. After the data were assessed for accuracy, missing data, and outliers, the analysis was conducted on 36 cases. MANOVAs were conducted to assess differences on overall self-efficacy. Separate ANOVAs were used since the overall self-efficacy and the subscores were highly correlated. Though the sample in this study was small (n = 36) for data analysis, the effect size showed that training experience and grade levels had a moderate to large effect on teacher self-efficacy (.16, .13, .13 respectively). Therefore teacher self-efficacy has a positive impact on student achievement. Implications for positive social change are self-efficacious teachers increase the academic achievement of students with ASD. In this way, such students can become self-sustaining, dynamic members of the work force and community.