Thesis (MA)--University of Western Sydney, 2004. / Title from title screen (viewed on 1 April 2008). "This thesis is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master Of Psychology (Clinical), University Of Western Sydney. 31st March 2004". Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-105). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Northwest Missouri State University, 2009. / The full text of the thesis is included in the pdf file. Title from title screen of full text.pdf file (viewed on July 17, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Autism has no cure, but early and appropriate diagnosis and intervention may increase outcomes for individuals affected. The level of awareness, acceptance, and support for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Nigeria is very low. There is a gap in the literature regarding a detailed account of the experiences of parents raising children with ASD within the Nigerian environment and culture. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of mothers raising children with ASD in Nigeria including the impact of Nigerian culture on their experiences. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory was the guiding conceptual framework for this study. Ten mothers of children with autism were recruited through purposeful sampling and interviewed using a semistructured interview format. Moustakas's steps to phenomenological research analysis were used to analyze the data and report emergent themes. The 8 themes that emerged from the data were low societal awareness about ASD, cultural attitudes and acceptance about ASD, neglect and abuse, inadequate services, impact on parents and other family members, refusing to be isolated by society, nature of support, and the way forward. The findings of this study can contribute to ASD awareness in Nigeria through the experiences reported. Positive social change may result from this increased awareness including improved acceptance and treatment, and policy changes or service improvements to support families living with this disorder in Nigeria.

A multiple baseline design across activities and people was used to assess the effectiveness of a feedback package on the facial orientation of a young girl with autism. During baseline, observations indicated low rates of facial orientation and high rates of gaze avoidance during conversation (restricted operant) and play (free operant) conditions. After treatment, facial orientation rates increased and gaze avoidance rates decreased to levels similar to typically-developing peers and maintained at one month follow up. These results suggest that the feedback package was effective in producing durable facial orientation across different environments and people. Possible interpretations, strengths, and limitations are discussed.

<p>Denna undersökning avser att belysa vad personalen anser är de bästa insatserna de kan göra för patienter med högfungerande autism. Intervjuer har utförts på en psykiatrisk klinik inom länet angående vad deras tankar är. Personalen bestod av fyra yrkeskategorier läkare, psykologer, arbetsterapeuter samt sjuksköterskor. Resultaten visar att de olika yrkesgrupperna har ett flertal gemensamma tankar kring personer med högfungerande autism, exempelvis vad dessa personers begränsningar består av, att en förtroendefull relation samt hög kontinuitet är viktiga faktorer i behandlingen. De skiljer sig åt när det gäller vilken vårdinstans som är mest adekvat. En reflektion över resultatet kan vara att det finns behov av en diskussion inte bara kring rätt vårdinstans utan också vad denna vårdinstans skall ha för kompetens och resurser. Denna intervjustudie är förhoppningsvis ett litet bidrag till att ytterligare synliggöra personer med högfungerande autism samt peka på möjliga förbättringar av en behandling som hittills är i sin linda.</p> / <p>The aim of this study has been to focus on the interventions that members of staff consider to the most appropriate for patients with High Functioning Autism. Interviews have been conducted in a psychiatric clinic in the Västra Götaland region concerning the opinions of four different categories of personnel: psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and nurses. The results show several common opinions about persons with High Functioning Autism, for example what are the psychic limits of these persons, the importance of a trustful relation and a high degree of continuity. One reflection on the results could be that there is a need of a serious discussion, not only in relation to where these patients should be treated, but also in terms of the competence, skills and resources that is needed. This study thus hopefully provides a small contribution to the process of making persons with High Functioning Autism more visible and also an attempt to identify possible ways of improving treatment for persons with High Functioning Autism.</p>

Denna undersökning avser att belysa vad personalen anser är de bästa insatserna de kan göra för patienter med högfungerande autism. Intervjuer har utförts på en psykiatrisk klinik inom länet angående vad deras tankar är. Personalen bestod av fyra yrkeskategorier läkare, psykologer, arbetsterapeuter samt sjuksköterskor. Resultaten visar att de olika yrkesgrupperna har ett flertal gemensamma tankar kring personer med högfungerande autism, exempelvis vad dessa personers begränsningar består av, att en förtroendefull relation samt hög kontinuitet är viktiga faktorer i behandlingen. De skiljer sig åt när det gäller vilken vårdinstans som är mest adekvat. En reflektion över resultatet kan vara att det finns behov av en diskussion inte bara kring rätt vårdinstans utan också vad denna vårdinstans skall ha för kompetens och resurser. Denna intervjustudie är förhoppningsvis ett litet bidrag till att ytterligare synliggöra personer med högfungerande autism samt peka på möjliga förbättringar av en behandling som hittills är i sin linda. / The aim of this study has been to focus on the interventions that members of staff consider to the most appropriate for patients with High Functioning Autism. Interviews have been conducted in a psychiatric clinic in the Västra Götaland region concerning the opinions of four different categories of personnel: psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and nurses. The results show several common opinions about persons with High Functioning Autism, for example what are the psychic limits of these persons, the importance of a trustful relation and a high degree of continuity. One reflection on the results could be that there is a need of a serious discussion, not only in relation to where these patients should be treated, but also in terms of the competence, skills and resources that is needed. This study thus hopefully provides a small contribution to the process of making persons with High Functioning Autism more visible and also an attempt to identify possible ways of improving treatment for persons with High Functioning Autism.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social, communication, and behavioral development. Social impairments have been implicated as primary symptoms of ASD and communication impairments are often cited as initial concerns among parents. Yet there is an inconsistency in the literature regarding the existence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors (RR) in very young children (i.e., those younger than 4 years) with ASD and the association between RR and sensory dysfunction. The purpose of the current project was to identify social deficits that most distinguish very young children with ASD, assess whether RR are present in very young children diagnosed with ASD, and explore the relationship between RR and sensory dysfunction. Results support the hypothesis that social impairments are primary symptoms of ASD. Stereotyped patterns of thought and behavior were present in this sample and were correlated with sensory dysfunction. Implications for theory, diagnosis, and research are discussed.

Support groups are an effective source of support in a number of populations (e.g., Beaudoin & Tao, 2007; Preyde & Ardal, 2003; Singer, et al., 1999). Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a particularly stressed group who can benefit from support (Blacher & McIntyre, 2006). These studies investigated: 1) predictors of participation in support groups for parents of children with ASD and 2) the effects of participation in an online support group for these parents. One hundred seventy-eight parents completed a series of online questionnaires measuring their beliefs about support groups and ASD, coping style, social support, mood, parenting stress, and their child’s autistic symptoms and daily functioning. Parents who were currently using parent support groups (PSGs) reported using more adaptive coping strategies than both parents who had never used PSGs and parents who had used PSGs in the past. Parents who had used PSGs in the past reported that they did not find the groups as beneficial as parents who were currently using them, and parents who had never participated in PSGs reported several issues with accessibility that made it difficult to participate in PSGs. A smaller group of parents (n = 36), who had participated in the first study, participated in an online support group designed for this study. An additional group of parents (n = 25), who had also completed the first study, served as a no-treatment control group. The parents in these two groups completed a subset of the questionnaires used in the first study following the 4-month support group, so that changes in mood, anxiety, parenting stress, and positive perceptions could be documented over time. No significant differences between the groups and across time were found. However, parents who participated in the group reported being satisfied with the support they received and finding the group helpful. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that interventions for parents of children with ASD need to be individualized and focused on the needs of the parents. Further research is required to investigate the efficacy of online support groups for parents of children with ASD. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-06-20 10:55:21.845

The main purpose of this research was to collect information regarding clinical and counseling psychologists', school psychologists', and child psychiatrists' (a) current knowledge about autism, (b) levels of training and preparedness to provide diagnoses and interventions, (c) common tools and methods used to assess autism, (d) the disorders that are most difficult to differentiate from autism, and (e) the most common recommendations and interventions used for children with autism. Autism currently affects 1 out of 166 children and it has been estimated to have a 10-17% growth annually (Center for Disease Control, 2005). Therefore it is imperative that professionals who work with children who have autism be trained and knowledgeable. No research was found regarding the training, knowledge, assessment, and intervention practices of professionals.A survey was developed to address training, diagnostic techniques, knowledge, and intervention practices of professionals. The survey was initially mailed to a total of 987 professionals within the state of Indiana (394 members of the Indiana Association of School Psychology, 500 members from the Indiana Association of Psychologists, and 99 members from the Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists). A total of 343 usable surveys were returned.Overall, professionals demonstrated a good knowledge base about autism facts verses myths. Professionals also demonstrated good knowledge of disorders that can be comorbid with autism. Professionals underestimated the rate of seizure disorder and mental retardation with autism. Most professionals reported receiving training on autism from workshops and very little training from graduate programs or internships.Professionals reported wanting to have more opportunities for hands-on training with children who have autism. Professionals most often used rating scales when performing assessments for autism and rarely used instruments such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) or the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised (ADI-R). Respondents felt most comfortable with assessment of autism and least comfortable with providing interventions. Communication disorder was ranked as the most difficult disorder to differentiate from autism by all professionals. Respondents differed on specific interventions they recommended and interventions they actually provided. Implications for professionals, training, and future research are discussed. / Department of Educational Psychology