Naturalistic behavioral interventions increase the acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of child social communication skills among children with developmental delays (DD). Teaching Assistants (TAs) are ideal interventionists for delivering social communication interventions because of the significant amount of time they spend working directly with children with DD in the preschool classroom. However, professional development for TAs is often inadequate and there has been a limited amount of research in this area. In addition, TAs are often working with more than one child at a time with varying skill levels, but no research has been conducted on the use of strategies with more than one child at a time. The current single-case research study addresses gaps in the literature by answering the following questions: (1) Is there a functional relation between coaching TAs to use EMT and increases in TA’s fidelity of implementation of EMT with a child dyad?; (2) Is there a functional relation between TA’s use of EMT and increases in child social communication skills?; and (3) Are TAs able to generalize the use of EMT across students with varying social communication skills and goals? Results suggest coaching TAs contributes to increases in fidelity of implementation of EMT strategies and subsequent increases in child social communication skills. TAs were able to generalize the use of EMT across students.

Given the limited empirical evidence to guide support for romantic functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this research aims to explore how closeness is managed in romantic relationships when one member is diagnosed with ASD. 8 participants, 3 couples and 2 individuals aged between 26 and 80 took part in the study. Of these 5 (3 male and 2 female) were autistic and 3 (1 male and 2 females were non-autistic). Participants were recruited using a specialist nationwide organization and they were interviewed individually or conjointly, as well as observed during a 15- minute interaction. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyse the data and a framework was produced to describe processes of managing closeness in ASD. The core concept to emerge from the analysis was entitled “reaching towards the unknown”. It consisted of three categories, termed “encountering the other”, “reaching for understanding” and “managing uncertainty”. The framework captured processes of joining with and adapting to someone very different, of stretching beyond familiar bounds in order to understand the other and manage uncertainty. This research offers an inter-subjective perspective of ASD. It frames socio-emotional reciprocity and adaptability within romantic relationships as relational phenomena, which are contingent upon factors outlined within the framework. The model considers pre-existing theories about romantic closeness in order to assist counselling psychologists in accommodating ASD within their couple therapy practice.

Typically developing humans innately place subjective value on social information and orient attention to it. This can be shown through eye tracking and pupillometry, a method used to show attentional engagement. Social brain development and social preference is present from infancy, and is thought to rely on a carefully balanced network of neurotransmitters and neural connections. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents altered neural systems which cause individuals to perceive and process social information differently, but the neurophysiology of this difference remains unclear. Previous research shows atypical gaze patterns, hyperarousal, and lack of orienting to social stimuli in ASD. Since autism is highly comorbid and shares traits with other neurodevelopmental disorders, it is difficult to distinguish aspects of these social processing differences. This study used a group of 35 neuropsychiatric patients to investigate how individuals with autism process social and non-social scenes. Eye tracking and pupillometry measures were collected while participants observed images of natural scenes with or without a person. Participants with autism did not show a pupillary response to social images and were slower to fixate on the face  region than the other participants. Additionally there were correlations between clinical measures of social functioning and the length of time it took to fixate to faces. The results highlight important distinctions of social processing in autism. This thesis proposes a new perspective of looking at the social deficits present in autism spectrum disorder. It suggests reframing the current discussion from two leading hypotheses to a unified approach and formally considering the limitations of differing types of stimuli.

A presente dissertação visa investigar as convergências e divergências apresentadas pelas diversas partes interessadas no processo atual de formulação e revisão das políticas públicas para o autismo no Brasil. Para tal, realizamos uma análise documental crítica acerca de duas cartilhas institucionais, lançadas recentemente pelo Ministério da Saúde, sobre a assistência ao autismo no Sistema Único de Saúde. Uma delas recebe o título de "Diretrizes de Atenção à Reabilitação da Pessoa com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA)" e aborda o transtorno como pertencente ao campo das deficiências, propondo seu tratamento sob a via da reabilitação. Outra, intitulada "Linha de Cuidado para a Atenção às Pessoas com Transtornos do Espectro do Autismo e suas Famílias na Rede de Atenção Psicossocial do Sistema Único de Saúde" apreende o autismo como um transtorno mental, pertencente ao campo de cuidados da atenção psicossocial. A divulgação de dois documentos oficiais que contemplam o tema de maneiras diferentes é ilustrativa de um aparente dissenso no rumo das políticas para tal população. Evidenciamos assim a constituição de dois grupos, aparentemente antagônicos, que disputam nas esferas políticas e assistenciais a primazia pela abordagem do fenômeno autístico. Trabalhamos com a hipótese de que foi produzida uma cisão no desenvolvimento e no subsequente entrecruzamento de três eixos de força, sendo eles: a evolução da categorização nosográfica do autismo, a participação assistencial e política das associações de pais de autistas e de outros grupos sociais e a construção das políticas públicas nacionais para a saúde mental da infância e adolescência. Analisamos tais elementos, acreditando que seu entrecruzamento nos auxilia a depreender os componentes básicos do contexto do TEA no Brasil. Por fim, a partir da análise dos documentos, é possível argumentar que, embora as divergências epistemológicas desempenhem um importante papel no dissenso em questão, estas não atuam como o principal fator do conflito, uma vez que se mostram negociáveis. Aparentemente, as controvérsias se tornaram acirradas devido a disputas políticas, por parte de diferentes grupos, em busca do protagonismo e do poder de deliberação na formulação de políticas públicas para o autismo no país.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in socio communicative and behavioral dimensions. The early the diagnosis is made and started the interventions, the better will be the outcomes. The interventions must be addressed to the core needs of each subject and consists in providing, by a transdisciplinary team, services directed not only to the child, but also to the whole family. Including the family as critical piece of the intervention places them as an active agent, working side by side with the professionals in favor of the son s development. Therefore, it is necessary that the parents receive a specific training about interventions and autism, retaining this knowledge. The Family empowerment is a terminology to designate this continuous ability of groups or subjects to act for their own benefit to achieve better control over their lives and faiths. Moreover, the literature has shown that family empowerment is highly associated to gains in interventions with children with autism, highlighting its importance for intervention´s effectiveness. This study aims to measure the effects of an intervention based on parents training about the development of communicative and interactional skills of their autistic son, as well as verify the influences of this kind of intervention over family empowerment. It was used an quase experimental design, A-B type, in a single case research, where the participants was a child with ASD and 15 months old, his father and his mother. The results showed that parental training program promoted an increase in socio communicative skills of the mother-child dyad, both in joint attention and topic sharing, as in affective contact. It was observed an increase in parental empowerment levels between pre- and post-intervention, understood as an influence of the training program. Finally, it is concluded that the family centered intervention, more specifically the parental training, is shown as an available possibility to promote early development of sociocomunicativas skills of children with ASD. / O Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) é caracterizado por déficits nas dimensões sociocomunicativas e comportamentais, as quais se manifestam ainda precocemente no desenvolvimento infantil. Quanto antes for realizado o diagnóstico e iniciada a intervenção sobre essas dificuldades, melhores os resultados. As intervenções precisam ser direcionadas especificamente para as necessidades de cada indivíduo e consistem na prestação, por parte de uma equipe transdisciplinar, de serviços dirigidos não somente à criança, mas também à família. A inclusão da família como parte imprescindível da intervenção a coloca como um agente ativo, atuando ao lado dos profissionais a favor do desenvolvimento do filho. Para tanto, torna-se necessário que os pais recebam informações específicas sobre intervenção e autismo, apropriando-se destes saberes. O empoderamento familiar tem sido a terminologia utilizada para designar essa capacidade contínua para agirem em seu próprio benefício, visando a alcançar maior controle sobre suas vidas e destinos. Neste sentido, a literatura tem mostrado que o empoderamento familiar encontra-se fortemente associado aos avanços nas intervenções com crianças com deficiência, destacando sua importância para sua efetividade. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de uma intervenção baseada na orientação a pais sobre o desenvolvimento de habilidades comunicativas e interativas do filho com autismo, assim como relacionar as influências dessa intervenção ao empoderamento familiar. Foi utilizado um delineamento quase experimental do tipo A-B, em que os participantes foram uma criança com TEA com 15 meses de idade, seu pai e sua mãe. Os resultados mostraram que o programa de orientação a pais promoveu um aumento das habilidades sociocomunicativas da díade mãe-criança, tanto na atenção compartilhada e compartilhamento de tópico, como no contato afetivo. Foi observado o aumento dos níveis de empoderamento parental entre as fases pré e pós intervenção, sendo este entendido como uma influência do programa de orientação. Por fim, considera-se que a intervenção centrada na família, mais especificamente através da orientação parental, se mostra como uma possibilidade de favorecer o desenvolvimento precoce das habilidades sociocomunicativas de crianças com TEA.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:02:41Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 goncalves_ab_dr_sjrp.pdf: 1056631 bytes, checksum: 8c6e50d96980a2c8a0252cd8afe2e9ab (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / As Doenças do Espectro Autístico (DEA) são afecções do neurodesenvolvimento que ocorrem em um contínuo de gravidade e comprometem a interação social, a comunicação e o comportamento dos afetados. A prevalência é muito alta na população e o esclarecimento das causas, ainda desconhecidas na maioria dos casos, tem implicações na prática clínica. A complexidade etiológica tem fomentado muitas investigações, que têm revelado loci de susceptibilidade, alterações cromossômicas e associação com outras condições médicas, além da ação de componentes ambientais. Entre as alterações genéticas propostas estão as deleções em 2q37 e 22q13.3. Este trabalho teve como objetivos a investigação genético-clínica, cariótipica por bandamento GTG, das regiões subteloméricas 2q37 e 22q13.3 por Hibridização in situ Fluorescente (FISH), com as sondas D2S447 e N85A3, e de mutação no gene FMR1 por técnicas moleculares, em 71 indivíduos com estas doenças. Entre eles, oito (11.3%) apresentaram outras condições médicas associadas, de etiologia cromossômica em um (1.4%) (Síndrome do 5q-), gênica em três (4.22%) (Síndrome do Cromossomo X Frágil, Síndrome de Sotos e Sindrome de Van der Woude) e ambiental em quatro (5.63%) [Síndrome da Rubéola Fetal, Síndrome do Álcool Fetal (dois casos) e Anóxia Neonatal]. Nenhum indivíduo apresentou alterações em 2q37 e em 22q13.3. Trata-se da primeira descrição da associação entre Síndrome do 5q- e Sindrome de Van der Woude com DEA. Os resultados mostram a importância do screening destes indivíduos quanto a presença de doenças genéticas ou fatores ambientais associados, pela variedade de mecanismos biológicos envolvidos, que devem ser elucidados, e pelas implicações no prognóstico, terapêutica e no Aconselhamento Genético das famílias. A introdução... / Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopment disorders that vary in severity and impair the social interaction, communication and behavior of sufferers. The prevalence is very high in the population and an elucidation of the causes, which are still not well understood in most cases, has implications in the clinical practice. This etiological complexity has encouraged many investigations that have identified loci related to susceptibility, chromosomal alterations and associations with other medical conditions, as well as the action of environmental aspects. Among proposed genetic alterations are deletions in the chromosome regions 2q37 and 22q13.3. The aims of this study were to perform a genetic-clinical investigation of 71 individuals with ASD as well as studies using karyotyping by GTG banding, Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), probes D2S447 and N85A3, of the 2q37 and 22q13.3 subtelomeric regions and of the FMR1 gene mutation using molecular techniques. Of the participating individuals, eight (11.3%) presented with other associated medical conditions: one (1.4%) had a chromosomal aberration (syndrome do 5q-), three (4.22%) had associated genetic conditions (Fragile X syndrome, Soto’s syndrome and Van der Woude syndrome) and four (5.63%) had environmental-related anomalies [congenital rubella syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome – 2 cases and neonatal anoxia]. None of the individuals presented with alterations in the 2q37 and 22q13.3 regions. This is the first description of associations of ASD with 5q- syndrome and also ASD with Van der Woude syndrome. The results demonstrate the importance of screening in these individuals to identify the presence of associated genetic diseases or environmental factors due to the variety of biological mechanisms involved that can be elucidated and because of the implications on the prognosis, therapy and on genetic... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

abstract: ABSTRACT This study intended to provide people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder a creative outlet to experience dance and other art forms as a way of expressing themselves. Other potential benefits were observed throughout the exploration, including social interaction, coordination, and confidence. An interpretive phenomenological research model analyzed participant and parent verbal reflections, written feedback, and video recorded movement sessions to understand and interpret the participant's experience and the potential value of creative movement. The study was conducted over a seven-week period, which included 13, 30-minute movement sessions held biweekly along with interviews, discussions, surveys, and journaling. The research revealed dance empowered each participant to explore his/her creativity and exercise personal expression. The feedback received from the participants and parents through interviews and reflections revealed the participants did exercise and discover social, physical, emotional, and creative expression throughout the study. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Dance 2015

abstract: Romantic relationships are an important aspect of anyone's life. For individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, this is true as well. However, these people may experience relational dynamics and trajectories that are in some aspects either similar to or markedly different from those who are not on the spectrum. There are very few studies analyzing and understanding how adults with an ASD navigate romantic relationships. This particular study examined how turning points pertaining to relational escalation or de-escalation were recognized and understood by eight individuals (four men and four women) possessing an ASD. The Retrospective Interview Technique (RIT) was implemented in order to accrue data from participants. Each participant completed a RIT graph mapping out a romantic relationship of their choice by understanding when a turning point was identified and placing a mark next to the corresponding level of relational closeness or attachment. Once all turning points were mapped out, they were connected with lines so that a visual representation of the entire relationship may be viewed. Participants were then queried about how they knew that particular event (or mark) to be a turning point, how it impacted the relationship, and how they were, personally, influenced by it (how they responded to the event). Interviews were transcribed and explored through a grounded theory approach. Specifically, Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method was applied to articulate interview data. The research revealed four main themes (Relational Genesis, Relational Escalation, Relational De-escalation and Conflict Management) as well as seventeen sub themes. Limitations for this study, information relating to discourses surrounding autism spectrum disorders and romantically intimate relationships, as well as, areas for future study are also discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Communication Studies 2016

Orientador: Luciana Pinato / Banca: Pedro Augusto Carlos Magno Fernandes / Banca: Roberta Gonçalves da Silva / Resumo: O Transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) é um conjunto de afecções do neurodesenvolvimento que comprometem principalmente a interação social, a comunicação e o comportamento. Na sintomatologia do TEA destaca-se a alta prevalência de distúrbios severos no ritmo sono-vigília. Uma das possíveis causas de problemas na qualidade do sono em crianças seria o padrão anormal da produção de melatonina, hormônio produzido pela glândula pineal, capaz de modular a qualidade do sono, graças à sua função como transdutora da informação fotoperiódica ambiental, além disso, esta molécula é controlada por moléculas que sinalizam inflamação. O presente estudo correlaciona o conteúdo do metabólito da melatonina, 6-Sulfatoximelatonina (aMT6s) à distúrbios do sono e às citocinas TNF e IL-6 em TEA. Participaram do estudo 36 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, idade entre 4-18 anos (média de 9,7 +/- 4,1), divididos em Grupo pesquisa (GP): 18 indivíduos com TEA e Grupo controle (GC): 18 indivíduos controles. Dentre os indivíduos do GP, quanto ao diagnóstico, 56% apresentaram autismo, 17% PDD-NOS (Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento Sem Outra Especificação) e 28% síndrome de Asperger. Para a caracterização dos distúrbios do sono e comportamento foi utilizada a Escala de Distúrbios... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that involve mainly social interaction, communication and behavior. On the symptomatology of ASD highlights the high prevalence of sleep-wake cycle disturbances. One of the causes of sleep disturbances in children is the abnormal pattern in the melatonin production by the pineal gland. This hormone can modulate the quality of sleep due to its function as transducing photoperiodic information from the environment. Besides being controlled by the photoperiodic information melatonin synthesis also is controlled by signaling molecules inflammation. The present study correlates sleep disorders with the contents of aMT6s, TNF and IL-6 in TEA. 36 individuals, of both genders, aged 4-18 years (mean 9.7 + / - 4.1), were analyzed being 18 individuals with ASD (research group - GP) and 18 control subjects (control group-GC). In the GP regarding the diagnosis, 56% had autism, 17% PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) and 28% Asperger syndrome. For the sleep disorders and behavior characterization were used respectively the Escale of Sleep Disorders in Children (ESDC) and Child Behavior Checklist - CBCL. The measurements of aMT6s, TNF and IL-6 contents were performed on urine or saliva by ELISA. For data analysis we used descriptive statistics, Mann- Whitney U test for comparison between two groups and linear correlation coefficient of Spearman, the value of significance was 5%. The ESDC showed that 44% of GP individuals have at least one type of sleep disorder, and the GP has higher scores than the CG in the disorder of onset and sleep maintenance. Individuals of the GP had higher scores compared to the GC for total behavior problems, withdrawal problems, social problems, thought and attention problems... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-04-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:10:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fadini_cc_me_mar.pdf: 835978 bytes, checksum: 411bc38e03fb65350821075ee6cef907 (MD5) / O Transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) é um conjunto de afecções do neurodesenvolvimento que comprometem principalmente a interação social, a comunicação e o comportamento. Na sintomatologia do TEA destaca-se a alta prevalência de distúrbios severos no ritmo sono-vigília. Uma das possíveis causas de problemas na qualidade do sono em crianças seria o padrão anormal da produção de melatonina, hormônio produzido pela glândula pineal, capaz de modular a qualidade do sono, graças à sua função como transdutora da informação fotoperiódica ambiental, além disso, esta molécula é controlada por moléculas que sinalizam inflamação. O presente estudo correlaciona o conteúdo do metabólito da melatonina, 6-Sulfatoximelatonina (aMT6s) à distúrbios do sono e às citocinas TNF e IL-6 em TEA. Participaram do estudo 36 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, idade entre 4-18 anos (média de 9,7 +/- 4,1), divididos em Grupo pesquisa (GP): 18 indivíduos com TEA e Grupo controle (GC): 18 indivíduos controles. Dentre os indivíduos do GP, quanto ao diagnóstico, 56% apresentaram autismo, 17% PDD-NOS (Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento Sem Outra Especificação) e 28% síndrome de Asperger. Para a caracterização dos distúrbios do sono e comportamento foi utilizada a Escala de Distúrbios... / The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that involve mainly social interaction, communication and behavior. On the symptomatology of ASD highlights the high prevalence of sleep-wake cycle disturbances. One of the causes of sleep disturbances in children is the abnormal pattern in the melatonin production by the pineal gland. This hormone can modulate the quality of sleep due to its function as transducing photoperiodic information from the environment. Besides being controlled by the photoperiodic information melatonin synthesis also is controlled by signaling molecules inflammation. The present study correlates sleep disorders with the contents of aMT6s, TNF and IL-6 in TEA. 36 individuals, of both genders, aged 4-18 years (mean 9.7 + / - 4.1), were analyzed being 18 individuals with ASD (research group - GP) and 18 control subjects (control group-GC). In the GP regarding the diagnosis, 56% had autism, 17% PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) and 28% Asperger syndrome. For the sleep disorders and behavior characterization were used respectively the Escale of Sleep Disorders in Children (ESDC) and Child Behavior Checklist - CBCL. The measurements of aMT6s, TNF and IL-6 contents were performed on urine or saliva by ELISA. For data analysis we used descriptive statistics, Mann- Whitney U test for comparison between two groups and linear correlation coefficient of Spearman, the value of significance was 5%. The ESDC showed that 44% of GP individuals have at least one type of sleep disorder, and the GP has higher scores than the CG in the disorder of onset and sleep maintenance. Individuals of the GP had higher scores compared to the GC for total behavior problems, withdrawal problems, social problems, thought and attention problems... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)