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Autism
Published in Charles Theisler, Adjuvant Medical Care, 2023
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social interaction via limited commu nication (verbal and nonverbal), and by restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. ASD is a developmental disorder with symptoms typically appearing in the first two years of life. The symptoms interfere with the individual’s ability to properly function at school, work, and other areas of life.1 No current specific medication exists to treat autism and there is no cure. Interventional therapies for behavior and communication or education are a mainstay of medical management.
Autism
Published in Nichola Tyler, Anne Sheeran, Working with Autistic People in the Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems, 2022
The characteristics of ASD according to the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (APA, 2013) are: persistent deficits in reciprocal social communication and social interaction; restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities; and hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input.
Animal healers
Published in Clive R. Hollin, An Introduction to Human–Animal Relationships, 2021
Ward et al. evaluated a 30-week TR programme for 21 autistic children, mean age 8.1 years. Each session was based on the four themes of orientation, such as preparing food for the horses, followed by mounting and riding, riding skills, and finally closure where the children said goodbye their horse. The teacher ratings of the children showed a significant increase in social interaction, improved sensory processing, and a decrease in symptom severity. Gabriels et al. (2015) carried out a randomised control trial of TR with 116 children aged between 6 and 16 years with a diagnosis of ASD. The TR group showed significant positive changes in social cognition, social communication and language. Anderson and Meints (2016) report a study involving children aged from 5 to 16 years with a diagnosis of ASD. The children engaged in a 5-week programme with a 3-hour session per week addressing therapeutic riding, horsemanship (grooming etc.) and stable management (cleaning, feeding etc.). The findings showed an overall reduction in maladaptive behaviour but no significant change in social and communication skills.
Perceptions of direct care workers in two sustainable communities on services provided
Published in International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 2023
Currently, transition outcomes-outcomes after high school such as independent living, employment, and postsecondary education-for people with ASD and intellectual disabilities (ID) are poor (Seltzer et al.2004). Seltzer et al. also found that 50% of people with ASD are employed in occupations paying less than minimum wage. Among all disabilities, students with ASD and ID are least likely to live independently and most likely to continue living with a parent (Anderson et al.2014); over 60% of people with ASD remain living at home with no independent living options in their first eight years after transitioning (Shattuck et al.2012). Blacher (2001) defines high levels of quality of life as being associated with independent living, competitive or supported employment, religious opportunities, education, and social opportunities. Indeed, Scheeren et al. (2022) suggest lower levels of quality of life are associated with a lack of comprehensive services. Yet, families report difficulty in designing autism-friendly accommodations noting safety, sensory, and spatial design issues as well as social and physical challenges (Nagib and Williams 2017). It is possible that organizations and governments have failed to provide the services suggesting that in part, these could be systematic factors. One solution that could provide a ‘one-stop-shop-all’ model could be sustainable communities.
Video-based instruction in enhancing functional living skills of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and their transition to independent living: a review
Published in International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 2022
Christine K. Syriopoulou–Delli, Kyriaki Sarri
Individuals with ASD have various impairments in social functioning, including stereotypical gestures, difficulty with eye contact, limited emotional and social reciprocity and inability to comprehend facial expressions and body language, and in addition, aggressive behavior is not uncommon (American Psychiatric Association 2013). All these characteristics may lead to an inability to develop and maintain high-quality social relationships. Adolescents and young adults with ASD face either unemployment or underemployment. They have problems in adjusting to a new setting, and even when they are employed, they switch jobs frequently (Howlin et al. 2004). On the other hand, studies have shown that individuals with ASD may possess specific skills and abilities that are suited to certain jobs, and when they are appropriately employed and well supported, they seem to be capable of working effectively and being independent (de Schipper et al.2016). In addition, many individuals with ASD continue to live at home after completing school and getting older, and fewer than 10% live independently (Howlin et al. 2004). Even though they have to deal with their impairments throughout their lives, developing the ability to perform functional living skills on their own may enable them to take care of themselves, enhance their quality of life, and decrease their dependence on others (Hong et al.2016).
Roozbeh adult autism spectrum disorder clinic: lessons learned from first 34 cases
Published in International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 2022
Javad Alaghband-rad, Samira Jamaloo, Mahtab Motamed
ASD is a complicated heterogenous clinical entity with many overlaps and co morbidities with other psychiatric and developmental disorders. Knowledge and training of psychiatrists as well as other mental health professionals on adult ASD seem to be significantly inadequate. There is virtually no specialist clinical and/or rehabilitation facilitates to help with this vulnerable group of patients in Iran. The complexity of the clinical presentation, heterogeneous nature of the condition and a lack of universal treatment strategies highlight the need for an individualized but holistic management plan as well as adopting novel strategies such as the precision medicine approach suggested by Missouri Autism Consortium (2016) to help improve service provision for this vulnerable group of patients