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| Issues Related to Autism and Autism Treatment |
| Monday, May 28, 2007 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Elizabeth H |
| Area: AUT |
| Chair: Ronit M. Molko (Autism Spectrum Therapies) |
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| A Parent Education Program for Stimulating Infants at Risk for Autism: Another Look. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| RONIT M. MOLKO (Autism Spectrum Therapies), Riki Frea (Autism Spectrum Therapies), Erin McNerney (Autism Spectrum Therapies), William D. Frea (Autism Spectrum Therapies) |
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| Abstract: Current trends in research have focused on identifying specific markers, or skill deficits, in infants that may be indicative of a child being at-risk for a diagnosis of Autism. The present study describes and examines new results of a parent education program for stimulating infants based on variables identified by recent research. Participants in the current study were the parents of infants classified as “at-risk” for a pervasive developmental disability by their local regional center. The intervention program was designed to provide parents with information regarding typical infant development and to teach parents behaviorally-based strategies to facilitate their infant’s development of age-appropriate communication and social-interaction skills. Parents were taught to encourage development of skills that previous literature has suggested to be hallmark signs of a later diagnosis of Autism. The current presentation describes the overall program model and examines the parents’ fidelity of implementation of the specific strategies taught, the children’s gains in communication, and social interaction skills, and the children’s progress toward their individual IFSP goals at the completion of the parent education program. Additionally, the present study examines the next stage of programming for the children who have participated in the program. |
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| Children with Autism in the People’s Republic of China: Diagnosis, Legal Issues, and Educational Services. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| XIUCHANG HUANG (Tennessee Technological University), Yanqing Guo (Institute of Mental Health, Peking University), John J. Wheeler (Tennessee Technological University) |
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| Abstract: Since the late 1970s, special education in the People’s Republic of China has experienced significant reform and fast development, together with the profound political, economic and social changes. However, education for children with severe developmental disabilities, especially autism, is still the greatest challenge in the field of special education. Today, most children with autism are still excluded from both regular and special schools because the need for education is far exceeding the availability of such service provided by state-owned regular and special schools. As a result, grass rooted non-profit NGOs originally founded by parents of children with autism have become the major service providers for this population and their parents since the 1990s. Although some children with high functioning autism can attend regular schools, such practice is not as common and successful as inclusion in the Western countries. This paper addresses the above issues and provides a detailed introduction to the educational services offered by different service providers (regular or special schools, and non-profit NGOs) to children with autism in China. It also addresses the diagnostic issues and related legal requirements for this population. Current challenges and possible solutions are also discussed in the last part of this paper. |
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| Social Validation Issues and Strategies in Intensive Early Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| ROBERT E. O'NEILL (University of Utah) |
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| Abstract: This paper will discuss issues related to social validation of various aspects of intensive early intervention with children with autism spectrum disorders. A brief review will be provided of social validation approaches that have been reported in the published literature in this area. Recommendations for future incorporation of social validation strategies and their role in research will be presented. |
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| Genetic Autism: An Introduction to Fragile X. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| MARK ADAMS (BEST Consulting, Inc.) |
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| Abstract: Fragile X Syndrome is an identifiable genetic abnormality located on the FMR1 gene. Many of the characteristics associated with Fragile X, especially males, are surprisingly similar to those of autism. The number of children diagnosed with Fragile X, its relation to autism as well as treatment considerations will be discussed. |
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