Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are included or mainstreamed in general education classrooms, yet general education teachers receive little, if any, formal training for working with children with ASD. The conceptual framework for this study was differentiated instruction, which is a best practice intended to improve educational experiences for children diagnosed with ASD. The purpose of this research study was to explore general education teachers' perceptions of providing differentiated instruction to these students. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of barriers that can affect their ability to differentiate instruction in their classrooms and strategies teachers use to facilitate the process of providing differentiated instruction in their classrooms for their students diagnosed with ASD. Eight elementary and middle school teachers participated in this phenomenological study. Content analysis of interview data provided information regarding the barriers of outdated resources and the need for additional training of general education teachers to work with students diagnosed with ASD. In addition, the participants identified 2 models used as strategies to adapt instructional practices to promote students' social and academic outcomes. Professional development could assure that teachers and administrators are aware of the latest best practices needed to teach children with ASD in the general education classrooms. By providing teachers with effective strategies needed to work with students diagnosed with autism, social change can be realized, and students with ASD can receive educational services possibly leading to a better quality of life.

The values of the disability rights movement and community psychology promote research that focuses on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities (Dowrick & Keys, 2001). Using the Internet for social interactions has been shown to contribute to an individual's identity development, sense of community, and well-being (Obst, Zinkiewicz, & Smith, 2002a; Turkle, 1995). While challenges in typical social interactions have traditionally been considered a defining feature of autism spectrum disorder, autistic individuals have taken advantage of the Internet to develop social interactions (Blume, 1997a). The present study focused on the online Autistic community and how the importance and value of involvement in it is related to Autistic identity, sense of community, and psychological well-being. The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) partnered with the Gernsbacher Lab to form the Gateway Project. Using the Gateway Project, AASPIRE conducted the Internet Use, Community, and Well-Being Study and collected data from 72 autistic adults online. It was hypothesized that the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community would be positively related to Autistic identity and sense of community, Autistic identity and sense of community would be positively related, and Autistic identity and sense of community would be positively related to psychological well-being. It was also hypothesized that the positive relationship between the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community and psychological well-being would be mediated by Autistic identity and sense of community. Correlations were examined among the hypothesized relationships, and a mediated regression model (Baron & Kenny, 1986) was used to explore the relationship between the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community and psychological well-being with Autistic identity and sense of community as mediators. Significant relationships were found between the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community and Autistic identity, between the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community and sense of community, and between autistic identity and sense of community. As a first step to test the mediated regression models, psychological well-being was regressed on the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community. The regression was not significant; therefore the hypothesized model was not significant. Despite non-significant mediated regression model results, significant relationships among the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community and Autistic identity and sense of community offer important results. These finding illuminate the potential positive impact of the importance and value of involvement in the online Autistic community, including evidence counter to the myth that autistic individuals lack skills necessary for social relationships. These findings support the positive utility of involvement in the online Autistic community for autistic adults. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended, due to low power coefficients in the analyses. Additional research may also further illuminate the findings of the current study. Possible topics may include sense of community and Autistic identity in individuals that do not use the Internet, differences in the way the Internet is used in autistic individuals, and different measures of involvement in the online Autistic community and well-being.

Introduction: Le trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) touche 1% de la population mondiale. Pour les personnes vivant avec un TSA, certains éléments de l’environnement (ex.: bruit, lumière, aménagement) constituent des facteurs perturbateurs ; les manifestations peuvent se maintenir durant toute la vie. Il est donc important de pouvoir évaluer l’environnement afin d’y faire des interventions pour les adultes vivant avec un TSA et d’améliorer leur qualité de vie. But: Développer un instrument d’évaluation du milieu de vie des adultes vivant avec un TSA. Méthodologie: Cette étude a été développée en deux étapes: 1) exploration des éléments de l’environnement ayant un impact sur les jeunes vivant avec un TSA auprès des parents et 2) Consultation des utilisateurs potentiels sur une version préliminaire de l’ÉDIPE-version TSA Résultats: L’ÉDIPE-version TSA a été développée sur les bases du Modèle de compétence, qui explique la relation personne-environnement, en considérant les éléments de l’environnement humain et non humain ayant un impact sur les adultes vivant avec un TSA (ex.: éléments sensoriels, concernant la sécurité, la stabilité ou les visiteurs). Lors de la consultation des utilisateurs potentiels (ergothérapeutes), certaines modifications en lien avec le contenu, le mode de passation, le format et l’applicabilité de l’instrument, ont été suggérées. Conclusion: L’ÉDIPE-version TSA pourrait combler un manque dans la pratique clinique et scientifique des ergothérapeutes auprès des adultes vivant avec un TSA. Ainsi, des interventions sur l’environnement adaptées à cette population, seront favorisées. / Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is prevalent in 1% of the world's population. Within individuals living with ASD, some environmental elements (e.g., noise, light, distribution) are just some disruptive factors; the manifestations may persist throughout life. Therefore, it is important to assess the environment in order to provide interventions for adults living with ASD, improving their quality of life. Purpose: To develop tool for assessing the environment of adults living with ASD. Methods: This study was developed in two steps: 1) Exploration of environmental factors that impact young people living with ASD with parents and 2) Consultation of potential users about the first version of the HoPE - ASD version. Results: The HoPE-ASD version was developed on the basis of the Model of Competence, explaining the person-environment relationship, considering the human and non-human environmental components that have an impact on adults living with ASD (e.g., sensory elements, related to the safety and functionality of spaces, stability, visitors or trusted persons). During the consultation of potential users (occupational therapists), some modifications related to the content, mode of administration, format and applicability of the instrument were suggested. Conclusion: The HoPE-ASD version could fill a gap in the clinical and scientific practice of occupational therapists working with adults living with ASD. Thus, environmental interventions adapted to this population will be promoted.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The empathizing-systemizing (E-S) theory states that individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) can be identified by a deficit in empathy (social skills, communication skills, and theory of mind) and a propensity for systemizing (islets of ability, obsessions with systems, and repetitive behavior). This theory has been tested in various contexts, but never with adolescents between the ages of 12 and 16. The EQ-A (Empathizing Quotient for Adolescents) and the SQ-A (Systemizing Quotient for Adolescents) were administered to 47 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 16 who had been diagnosed with ASC and 97 adolescents with no reported physical or mental disorders to discover differences in empathizing and systemizing. To test the specific elements and predictions of the E-S theory, the EQ-A was divided into a set of three subscales derived by conceptually mapping items to factors corresponding to the concepts theoretically underlying the scale. The SQ-A was divided into subscales using factor analysis. It was found that all four subscales resulting from the factor analysis on the SQ-A were associated with obsessions with systems. A weak positive correlation was found between the SQ-A and the EQ-A. Although the EQ-A was able to differentiate significantly between individuals with an ASC and those without, the SQ-A was not. In addition, although the EQ-A and EQ-A subscales scores correlated with similar subscales scores of the GARS-2 (a well-validated existing autism screening test), the SQ-A and its subscales did not. Implications for the E-S Theory are discussed.

Current work is focused on the development of a project of a career guidance complex using virtual reality for schoolchildren with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Various issues related to the subject were highlighted in the work. One of such is the inconsistency of current career guidance methods with current and future labor markets. Another problem is the lack of accessible career guidance techniques for people with health limitations, and in particular with ASD. Current work also underlines the lack of effective assistance to people with disabilities and with ASD in their professional self-determination, despite the allocation of state quotas for vacancies for people with health limitations. In the course of the work, a detailed analysis of various domestic and foreign literature on the stated problems was carried out, and a draft career guidance methodology using virtual reality for schoolchildren with ASD was developed. In the future, it is planned to continue work on the project of a career guidance complex. And, although the project is complex, resource-consuming, and long-term, its implementation can be a step towards solving the problems of career guidance for people with autism spectrum disorders and, in general, the problems of their inclusion in public life. / Работа посвящена созданию проекта профориентационного комплекса с использованием виртуальной реальности для школьников с расстройствами аутистического спектра (РАС). В работе были освящены такие проблемы как несоответствие использующихся в настоящее время методов профориентации современному и будущему рынкам труда; отсутствие доступных профориентационных методик для лиц с ограниченными возможностями здоровья (ОВЗ), и в частности – с РАС; а также отсутствие эффективной помощи лицам с ОВЗ, и с РАС – в частности, в их профессиональном самоопределении, несмотря на выделение государственных квот на вакансии для лиц с ОВЗ. В ходе работы был проведён подробный анализ различной отечественной и зарубежной литературы по заявленным проблемам, а также был разработан проект профориентационной методики с использованием виртуальной реальности для школьников с РАС. В дальнейшем планируется продолжить работу над проектом профориентационного комплекса. И, не смотря на то, что проект является сложным, ресурсозатратным и долгосрочным, его реализация может стать шагом в сторону решения проблем профориентации лиц с расстройствами аутистического спектра и в целом проблем их включённости в общественную жизнь.

In comparison to normally developing children, many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) do not possess the same opportunities to be physically active due to the impairments exhibited by their disorder. A systematic review using the Downs and Black checklist and the PEDro scale was conducted to assess the methodological quality of the literature on promoting physical activity in children with ASD. The following inclusion criteria had to be met: (1) subjects must include children with a clinical ASD diagnosis (2) the children have to be under the age of thirteen years old (3) the interventions must target physical activity; lastly, (4) they must be a relevant peer-reviewed English language study. The search was conducted using four electronic databases: MEDLINE, ERIC, PsycInfo, and CINHL with no restriction on the publication year. The following keywords were utilized: "Autism", "ASD/ Autism Spectrum Disorder", "Asperger", "Pervasive Developmental Disorder" Those terms were paired with "physical activity", "physical exercise", "exercise", "fitness", "aerobic", "swim", "aquatic", "jog", "walk", "recreational activity" Which were also paired with the terms "school age", "child", "toddler", "preadolescent". This multi-step search procedure occurred during February 2013. The methodological quality of six studies was evaluated in February 2013. Overall, the conclusive scores determined by the Downs and and Black checklist and the PEDro scale varied greatly. The scores reported by the Downs and Black checklist ranged from 19 to 21 on a 27-point scale. PEDro scale yielded scores ranging between two and six on a 10-point scale. A vote count revealed that the exercise interventions increased the physical fitness, aquatic skills, social behaviors, and sensory integration children with ASD. In summary, the variation within the scores and the quality of the studies leads to a demand for future research.; In order to adequately determine what exercise interventions effectively increase physical activity in children with ASD, future researchers should conduct randomized controlled trials in order to produce the highest quality of evidence.

Objective: Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a relatively common, well-known but heterogeneous neuropsychiatric disorder, specific knowledge about characteristics of this heterogeneity is scarce. There is consensus that IQ contributes to this heterogeneity as well as complicates diagnostics and treatment planning. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS/2) in the whole and IQ-defined subsamples, and analyzed if the ADOS/2 accuracy may be increased by the application of machine learning (ML) algorithms that processed additional information including the IQ level. Methods: The study included 1,084 individuals: 440 individuals with ASD (with a mean IQ level of 3.3 ± 1.5) and 644 individuals without ASD (with a mean IQ level of 3.2 ± 1.2). We applied and analyzed Random Forest (RF) and Decision Tree (DT) to the ADOS/2 data, compared their accuracy to ADOS/2 cutoff algorithms, and examined most relevant items to distinguish between ASD and Non-ASD. In sum, we included 49 individual features, independently of the applied ADOS module. Results: In DT analyses, we observed that for the decision ASD/Non-ASD, solely one to four items are sufficient to differentiate between groups with high accuracy. In addition, in sub-cohorts of individuals with (a) below (IQ level ≥4)/ID and (b) above average intelligence (IQ level ≤ 2), the ADOS/2 cutoff showed reduced accuracy. This reduced accuracy results in (a) a three times higher risk of false-positive diagnoses or (b) a 1.7 higher risk for false-negative diagnoses; both errors could be significantly decreased by the application of the alternative ML algorithms. Conclusions: Using ML algorithms showed that a small set of ADOS/2 items could help clinicians to more accurately detect ASD in clinical practice across all IQ levels and to increase diagnostic accuracy especially in individuals with below and above average IQ level.

Магистерская диссертация выполнена на 115 страницах, состоит из введения, двух глав, заключения, списка литературы из 129 наименований, содержит 5 рисунков, 9 таблиц, имеет 8 приложений. Объект исследования: особенности выполнения когнитивных заданий подростками с РАС. Предмет исследования: специфика выполнения когнитивных задач подростками с РАС в среде виртуальной реальности. Для реализации задач исследования были выбраны следующие методики: прогрессивные матрицы (Дж. Равен), корректурная проба Бурдона, «Запоминание зрительных образов», Кубики Кооса, «Узнавание наложенных изображений» (фигуры Поппельрейтора). Выборка исследования составляет 25 подростков с диагностированным РАС, один из них с лёгкой умственной отсталостью, один – с тяжёлой, все остальные – с сохранным интеллектом. Гетерогенность состава выборки – 19 мальчиков и 6 девочек. Респонденты были отобраны на добровольной основе, не имели эпи-активности и иных противопоказаний. Средний возраст составил 15,5 лет. Поиск респондентов осуществлялся на базе ГБОУ Свердловской области «Екатеринбургская школа №4, реализующая адаптированные основные общеобразовательные программы», а также через группу для родителей подростков с РАС. В первой главе проведён литературный обзор научных статей по изучению психолого-педагогических особенностей подростков с РАС, определены основные причины и факторы риска развития РАС, изучены различные симуляторы и программы в виртуальной реальности, доступные для использования подростками с РАС, а также их преимущества. Во второй главе описывается опыт применения виртуальной реальности для подростков с РАС. Описываются этапы обширного исследования, включающего оценку особенностей влияния ситуации погружения на самочувствие подростков с РАС, а также возможностей по оценке когнитивных функций у данной категории лиц. Заключение посвящено основным выводам по результатам исследования и обсуждению дальнейших перспектив исследования. / The master's thesis is made on 115 pages, consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, a list of references from 129 titles, contains 5 figures, 9 tables, has 8 appendices. The object of research: features of the performance of cognitive tasks by adolescents with ASD. Subject of research: specifics of performing cognitive tasks by adolescents with ASD in a virtual reality environment. To implement the research objectives, the following methods were chosen: progressive matrices (J. Raven), Bourdon’s proofreading test, “Memorizing visual images,” Koos Cubes, “Recognition of superimposed images” (Poppelreitor figures). The study sample consists of 25 adolescents diagnosed with ASD, one of them with mild mental retardation, one with severe mental retardation, and all the rest with intact intelligence. The sample composition is heterogeneous: 19 boys and 6 girls. The respondents were selected on a voluntary basis and did not have epi-activity or other contraindications. The average age was 15.5 years. The search for respondents was carried out on the basis of the State Budgetary Educational Institution of the Sverdlovsk Region “Ekaterinburg School No. 4, which implements adapted basic general education programs,” as well as through a group for parents of adolescents with ASD. The first chapter contains a literature review of scientific articles on the study of the psychological and pedagogical characteristics of adolescents with ASD, identifies the main causes and risk factors for the development of ASD, studies various simulators and virtual reality programs available for use by adolescents with ASD, as well as their advantages. The second chapter describes the experience of using virtual reality for adolescents with ASD. The stages of an extensive study are described, including an assessment of the characteristics of the influence of the immersion situation on the well-being of adolescents with ASD, as well as the possibilities for assessing cognitive functions in this category of individuals. The conclusion is devoted to the main conclusions based on the results of the study and discussion of further prospects for the study.

A qualitative case study research design is used to investigate the results of a neuropsychological test battery, collated and used with four individual cases. A literature study consisting of research with respect to AS as well as neuropsychological assessments provides the theoretical framework from which existing theory is tested and expanded on. The cases are analysed individually and then by cross case analysis to ascertain any patterns of strength and weaknesses which could result in a "typical" profile of a learner with AS. Findings conclude confusions with respect to diagnostic criteria for AS and a distinction of DSM-IV-TR criteria is used. The neuropsychological test battery includes questionnaires (personal history, Gilliam Asperger's disorder scale, Conners' parent and teacher questionnaire, Dunn's sensory profile) interviews (parents, teachers), observations (classroom and playground) and formal testing (intelligence, motor functions, academic achievement, theory of mind and executive functions). Findings from the literature show similarities between AS children and children with non verbal learning disabilities. Evidence of AS differing from individuals with high functioning autism is conclusive in all previous research using theory of mind tests. Evidence from the literature shows many children had been given another diagnosis, typically ADHD, before being given the diagnosis of AS. Additional disorders such as anxiety and depression were also given. AS children had consistent difficulties with social interaction. A typical neuropsychological profile of AS is not identified, but rather a "personality type" that is dominated by anxiety and individual "quirks" of personality which affects responses to the formal test battery - thereby influencing the scores obtained. Two of the cases presented with an academic profile similar to that of a non verbal learning disability and one presented with similarities with a semantic pragmatic disorder. The thesis concludes with a proposed differentiating model of behavioural, communication and learning disorders in which AS is defined in terms of that originally described by Hans Asperger himself, and specifically treated within the education environment. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Le syndrome de West (SW), communément appelé spasmes infantiles (SI), est un trouble épileptique généralement caractérisé par la triade de spasmes infantiles, un modèle d'électroencéphalogramme (EEG) pathognomonique appelé hypsarythmie, et la régression du développement. Alors que des études précédentes ont été en mesure d'obtenir une réponse relativement adéquate par rapport au contrôle des spasmes et la résolution d’hypsarythmie, elles n’ont pas réussi à fournir des options thérapeutiques décisives à l’égard des séquelles neurodéveloppementales souvent associées aux SI. Notre étude, sur laquelle est basée cette thèse, est la première à utiliser un traitement complémentaire aux médicaments antiépileptiques conventionnels, avec l'intention d'améliorer les résultats neurodéveloppementaux de cette population. Les patients recrutés dans notre essai clinique randomisé (ECR) original ont suivi un protocole de traitement standardisé composé de vigabatrin (VGB) comme traitement de première intention pendant deux semaines, suivi de l'hormone corticotrope (ACTH) chez les non-répondeurs pour une période de deux autres semaines, et le topiramate dans les cas réfractaires. En plus, les patients ont été randomisés pour recevoir soit le traitement expérimental, flunarizine, soit un placebo, pendant six mois. Notre ECR multicentrique consistait à recruter et évaluer 68 patients, la plupart suivis à 8 différentes visites sur une période de cinq ans afin de précisément évaluer leurs progrès neurodéveloppementaux. Notre essai clinique a généré trois études principales qui forment le coeur de cette thèse. Dans une première étude, les données cliniques et cognitives des deux premières années d’évaluation ont été analysées. Les résultats cliniques à court terme indiquent un taux élevé de cessation de spasmes et de l’hypsarythmie. De plus, cette étude rapporte les premiers résultats cognitifs mesurés par le Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) et le Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS). Notre deuxième étude a essentiellement fourni des données cognitives à plus long terme, 5 ans après le début de son initiation. Les réponses cognitives ont été mesurées par le BSID, le VABS, et aussi par le Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (SB5) chez les patients ayant un fonctionnement cognitif plus élevé. Une amélioration significative et progressive des fonctions cognitives a été observée, indépendamment de la thérapie adjuvante. Des facteurs de risque cognitifs à long terme ont également été révélés dans cette étude. Notre dernière étude a essayé d’élucider la relation entre les SI et les troubles du spectre autistique (TSA). Un test de dépistage avec le Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) a été effectué à 24 mois, et un diagnostic a été obtenu par moyen du Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) à 30 et 60 mois. L’ADOS a évalué 44 patients, dont 10 ont été diagnostiqués avec TSA. Une description des facteurs de risque associés aux TSA ont été présentés dans cet article. Enfin, basé sur nos résultats et les informations à ce sujet dans la littérature, nous avons tenté d'élucider les caractéristiques physiopathologiques de la maladie. Une description des mécanismes biologiques sous-jacents impliqués dans le syndrome de West et des traitements cibles associés ont été présentés. Bien que le traitement complémentaire, le flunarizine ne se soit pas avéré être avantageux pour notre cohorte, notre protocole de traitement a tout de même été en mesure de démontrer des résultats cliniques et cognitifs supérieurs dans le sous-groupe de patients avec SI dont l’étiologie est inconnue. Ces résultats, ainsi que l’identification de nouveaux facteurs de risque neurodéveloppementaux potentiels, pourraient être utilisés cliniquement afin d’améliorer le diagnostic et le suivi médical des patients atteints du syndrome de West. / West syndrome (WS), commonly referred to as infantile spasms (IS), is an epileptic disorder usually characterized by the triad of infantile spasms, a pathognomonic electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern called hypsarrhythmia, and developmental regression. While previous treatment studies were able to achieve relatively adequate spasm control and hypsarrhythmia resolution in this population of patients, they have failed to provide conclusive and definite therapeutic options aimed at improving the poor cognitive outcome often associated to IS. Our study, on which this thesis is based, was the first to use an add-on treatment to conventional antiepileptic drugs, with the intent to improve long-term cognitive outcome in this population. Patients recruited in our original randomized clinical trial (RCT) followed a standardized treatment protocol consisting of vigabatrin (VGB) as first-line treatment for two weeks, followed by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in non-responders for another two-week period, and topiramate in refractory cases. In addition, patients were randomized to either receive placebo or flunarizine adjunct therapy for six months. Our multi-centric RCT recruited and evaluated 68 patients, most of which were followed at 8 different time points over a five-year period, to precisely evaluate their neurodevelopmental progress. Our clinical trial generated three main studies which comprise the core of this thesis. In a first study, clinical and cognitive data from the first two years were analyzed. Spasm arrest and hypsarrhythmia resolution were the short-term clinical endpoint measures, while the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were used as cognitive outcome measures at 2 years. This first study most importantly reports on the superior short-term clinical response rate achieved in our study population. Preliminary cognitive results were also presented in this work. Our second study essentially presented long-term cognitive data 5 years after the start of the study. Cognitive outcome measures were similar to those used at two years with the addition of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition (SB5) for higher functioning patients. Most IS patients, particularly those with no known etiology, displayed a significant and progressive improvement of cognitive functions, irrespective of adjunctive therapy. Risk factors of long term poor cognitive outcome were also revealed in this study. Our last study tried to understand the relationship between IS and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism was initially screened by means of the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) at 24 months, and formally assessed at the 30-and 60-month follow-up visits using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). ADOS was performed in 44 patients, 10 of which were diagnosed with ASD. A description of risk factors associated with an ASD outcome in the IS population were presented in this article. Finally, based on our study results and in conjunction with literature information on the topic, we attempted to elucidate the pathophysiological characteristics of the disorder. A conceivable description of the underlying biological mechanisms implicated in West syndrome and associated target treatments were presented. Although our complementary treatment, flunarizine, did not prove to be beneficial in our cohort, our treatment protocol was nonetheless able to demonstrate superior clinical and cognitive outcomes in patients with unknown etiologies. These findings, as well as the identification of new potential neurodevelopmental risk factors, could be used clinically to improve the diagnosis and medical follow-up of patients with West syndrome.