|
| International Paper Session - Eye Contact, Facial Expression, and Emotion |
| Saturday, May 26, 2007 |
| 2:30 PM–3:50 PM |
| Elizabeth H |
| Area: AUT |
| Chair: Daniel Almeida (Melmark New England) |
| |
| Identifying Happiness Indicators for Children with Autism. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| DANIEL ALMEIDA (Melmark New England), Brian C. Liu-Constant (Melmark New England), Katherine A. Johnson (Advances Learning Center), Shelagh K. Conway (Private Practice) |
| |
| Abstract: Improving the quality of life of individuals with severe disabilities is an important goal in our field. One quality of life indicator, happiness, has been studied as it relates to individuals with profound disabilities. Findings have shown that behavioral indicators of happiness and unhappiness typically associated with typical individuals apply to those with profound disabilities and these indicators occur more often in the presence of preferred items. However, no investigations have been conducted to determine if these happiness indicators apply to children with autism. In this study, 6 children with autism were videotaped during interaction with systematically identified preferred and nonpreferred items to assess their levels of previously established happiness indicators (Green & Reid, 1996). Also, the data will be also assessed for the presence of idiosyncratic behaviors within and across subjects that correlate interaction with preferred and nonpreferred items. How the findings relate to identifying indicators of happiness in children with autism will be discussed. |
| |
| Using Percentile Schedules to Increase Eye Contact in Children with Fragile X Syndrome. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| SCOTT S. HALL (Stanford University) |
| |
| Abstract: Eye contact aversion is a common behavioral feature of individuals diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS), particularly in males. To date, no studies have attempted to increase eye contact duration in individuals with this disorder. In this study, we employed a percentile reinforcement schedule to shape eye contact duration in six boys with FXS aged 8 to 17 years. Three of the children also received an overcorrection procedure in addition to the percentile schedule. Results showed that even in time-limited, one-hour sessions, eye contact duration improved significantly in four of the six boys. These data suggest that eye contact aversion, while often thought to be unamenable to change in this genetic disorder, can be improved using basic behavioral shaping techniques. |
| |
| Study of Facial Expressions Discrimination in Children with Autism. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| VINCA RIVIERE (Development - Autism), Jean-Claude Darcheville (University of Lille, France), Alan Chauvin (University of Lille, France), Stephanie Cousin (University of Lille, France) |
| |
| Abstract: We know that facial expression perception is being developed during the first year. Exploring this sensitive period can help us find explanations on the way these behaviors settle in and on the appearance of developmental disorders. Indeed, if this period is essential in the setting up of children's social cognition, it is understandable that during disruptions, these behaviors dissapear through the development process. We would like to study the way children with autism analyse information when they are confronted with social stimuli like facial expressions. 5 Children with autism (diagnosed with international assessment) and 5 normal children took part to this experiment.We are using matching to sample procedure. Sample stimuli are shown to children in tactile screen. If children touch the screen, comparison stimuli appaer. Reinforcement are triggering agents (mothers'voice, cartoon, etc.). Differents learning phases are developped. A last phase, test phase, is given at the end to obtain which information is used by children. We used bubbles methods to construct stimuli.Results showed that children with autism and normal children used the same region of the facial stimulus to discriminate happy face. A second experiment is running using fear emotion on face stimuli. |
| |
|
| |