Autism Awareness Research Articles

What is new in autism?

Autism is now recognized in one out of 150 children. This review highlights the topics within the growing autism literature that are shaping current thinking on autism and advancing research and clinical understanding of autism spectrum disorders. The role of single-stranded microdeletions and epigenetic influences on brain development has dramatically altered our understanding of the etiology of the autisms. Recent research has focused on the role of synapse structure and function as central to the development of autism and suggests possible targets of interventions. Brain underconnectivity has been a focus in recent imaging studies and has become a central theme in conceptualizing autism. Despite increased awareness of autism there is no 'epidemic' and no one cause for autism. Data from the sibling studies are identifying early markers of autism and defining the broader autism phenotype. Larger datasets in genetics, a focus on the early signs of autism, and increased recognition of the importance of defining subgroups of children with autism are leading to a greater understanding of the etiologies of autism. A growing interest in defining the molecular biology of social cognition, which is at the core of autism, will lead to expansion of our presently limited choices of mechanistically based interventions.

Share the Care Week: helping autistic children and their families

March and April are focusing on autism, with Autism Awareness Month, World Autism Day, and this years Share the Care Week being targetted at families who have a child with autism. Depression Awareness Week is also coming up, something important to focus on following the high spate of teenage suicides in the news of late and, finally, more action is being taken on childhood drinking and obesity.

Ad Council

본 연구의 목적은 미국 공익광고 협의회 AD Council을 중심으로 옥외매체를 활용한 공익광고의 현황을 살펴보고, 다양한 유형분류를 통해 그 표현방식을 고찰하여 국내 옥외 공익광고에 미치는 함의를 모색하기 위함이다. AC의 옥외 공익광고는 2011년 4월을 기준으로 Community와 Education, Health & Safety라는 대 주제 하에 Energy Efficiency, Fatherhood Involvement, College Access, Early Childhood Development, Autism Awareness, Emergency Preparedness 등 총 69건의 옥외매체를 활용한 공익광고 캠페인을 시행하고 있다. AC의 옥외 공익광고물을 정보적 소구와 정서적 소구로 분류하여 그림, 사진, 그래픽 등을 우선적으로 그 메시지 유형을 살펴본 결과, 정서적 소구가 과반수 이상을 차지하고 있었고, 정보적 소구도 일부 나타났다. 표현방법은 설명이나 논증이 아닌 있는 사실을 그대로 적시하거나, 주제에 관한 정보를 단순히 제공하고 있는 ‘정보/사실제공’형 표현방법이 가장 많은 것으로 조사되었다. 또한 타깃에 따라 분류한 결과, 이기적 차원의 광고가 이타적 차원의 광고보다 많은 비중을 차지하고 있는 것으로 나타났다.

Middle School Students' Response to the Self-Introduction of a Student With Autism

This study examined the effects of educational messages provided by a student with autism on middle school students' cognitive and conative attitudes. Students ( N = 233; M age = 13.07 years) viewed a videotape of an unfamiliar student exhibiting autism-like behaviors and received one of four messages provided by the student via a written pamphlet. Students who were unfamiliar with autism reported more favorable cognitive attitudes when an explanatory message was added to the descriptive information. Explanatory information resulted in more favorable conative attitudes than descriptive information. Female students reported more positive attitudes than male students, regardless of the message; students with prior awareness of autism reported more positive conative attitudes, regardless of the message. Implications of the findings, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are briefly discussed.

The Incidence of Autism in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976-1997

To determine the incidence of autism among children in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Through the Rochester Epidemiology Project, all inpatient and outpatient diagnoses are indexed for computerized retrieval. This computerized diagnostic index was used to identify children with any developmental disorder. A glossary of symptoms of autism was used to review medical and school records of these children for symptoms consistent with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for autistic disorder. Olmsted County, Minnesota. Subjects All residents of Olmsted County 21 years or younger between 1976 and 1997. Main Outcome Measure The incidence of research-identified autism based on DSM-IV criteria for autistic disorder. The age-adjusted incidence of research-identified autism was 5.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.4-9.5) per 100 000 children from 1980 to 1983 and 44.9 (95% confidence interval, 32.9-56.9) from 1995 to 1997 (8.2-fold increase). This increase was confined to children younger than 10 years who were born after 1987. The incidence of research-identified autism increased in Olmsted County from 1976 to 1997, with the increase occurring among young children after the introduction of broader, more precise diagnostic criteria, increased availability of services, and increased awareness of autism. Although it is possible that unidentified environmental factors have contributed to an increase in autism, the timing of the increase suggests that it may be due to improved awareness, changes in diagnostic criteria, and availability of services, leading to identification of previously unrecognized young children with autism.

Autism Awareness Campaign From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC to Launch Consumer Campaign to Increase Awareness and Action in Identifying Children at Risk for Autism and Other Developmental Disorders

Screening and identifying children with autism spectrum disorders in the public school system: the development of a model process.

Heightened public awareness of autism and increased prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has generated a sense of urgency within the public school system to identify children with these disorders for targeted intervention. Two multidisciplinary groups of professionals, one each from two separate school districts, were identified and trained to provide diagnostic and consultative services. This paper outlines a model process for school personnel to develop a basic level of training and competence in recognizing and serving students who have an ASD by (1) providing an overview of the legal and clinical issues involved in screening for children with ASD within the school system, (2) defining a school-based professional training process and (3) outlining a school-based ASD screening process.

Working with an adult male with Down's syndrome, autism and challenging behaviour: evaluation of a programme of staff support and organizational change

SummaryThe dual diagnosis of Down's syndrome and autism is a relatively rare clinical phenomenon. The identification of multiple diagnostic presentations in individual cases can bring a complex clarity to what is an initially confusing picture. This paper examines the case of a male who has Down's syndrome and has been referred to a Clinical Psychology Service because he is presenting with ‘severe challenging behaviour’. The paper provides: (i) a case history and rationale for the assessment of autism, (ii) a description of methodology incorporating a single case design and (iii) an intervention aimed at increasing staff awareness of autism, improving staff communication and implementing an integrated care plan across environments. It was hypothesized that an intervention incorporating these important organizational changes would support staff in meeting the client's needs. The success of the intervention was measured in terms of the frequency of (i) positive behaviours and (ii) challenging behaviours displayed by the client. Frequencies are charted and statistical analysis applied. Results illustrate a positive change in the day centre environment but no significant change in the home environment. These results are discussed in relation to methodological considerations and issues for future service provision.

Pursuing the puzzle of autism

A photographic exhibition at the Wellcome Trust for Autism Awareness Year highlights the continuing scientific uncertainty. Michael Gross reports.

Autism in schools: Crisis or challenge?

AS part of Autism Awareness Year 2002, the National Autistic Society (NAS) conducted a survey of schools in seven local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to discover the extent of the challenge posed by autism in Britain's classrooms.

Research in brief: what do medical students know about autism?

Although recent research indicates the importance of early recognition and intervention for children with autism, it is clear that many families remain very dissatisfied with the diagnostic process. In order to improve this situation, it is essential that primary care practitioners, such as GPs, are fully aware of the core symptoms of autism. The present study reports on autism awareness amongst 250 medical students at different stages of their training. Differences between first-year and fourth-year students were compared with respect to their knowledge of various aspects of autism, including diagnosis, cause, symptomatology, treatment and outcome. Fourth-year students were significantly more likely to respond correctly to questions related to diagnostic criteria and core symptoms. However no significant differences were found between first-year and fourth-year students for other aspects, such as possible causes, IQ profiles, prognosis and treatment. These findings suggest that more emphasis needs to be placed on teaching medical students about autism if diagnosis and access to intervention are to be improved.

Developing an information pack for the Asian carers of people with autism spectrum disorders.

An investigation is described which forms the basis for the development of an information package for the Asian carers of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and learning disabilities. The results of semi-structured interviews and planning for questionnaires with three different linguistic Asian groups (Urdu, Gujarati and Bengali) are presented. The views, attitudes and awareness of autism, knowledge of support services and perceived priority of needs are analysed for the three different communities. The investigation concludes with recommendations as to whether separate information is needed by each culture or whether a single information pack can be used and presented in each language format. The possible presentation format in which the information can be produced is also discussed.

Understanding children with autism: exploding the myths.

The incidence of autism is increasing in both the USA and in Britain. There is still controversy over what causes autism and even greater controversy over selecting a preferred method of intervention and support (as there is no treatment for autism). Although there is now a general consensus that individuals may have a genetic predisposition to develop autism, it is also acknowledged that this may be off set by a range of environmental and/or biological factors. The understanding of the causation of autism is now considered in much the same way as we understand cerebral palsy, in that there can be a range of different reasons for causation and prevalence. This article, the first of two parts, will explore how an awareness and understanding of autism can enable nurses working with children with autism to provide more child-centred nursing care based on fact as opposed to stereotype and mythology surrounding autism. The second part will concentrate on adults with autism.

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