" (Law, 2006) According to Law, Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by four main categories:
1) Impairment in social interaction;
2) Impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication;
3) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and interests and activities; and 4) Delays in development. (2006)
Law states that occupational therapy focuses on assisting individuals to "participate in daily occupations, including taking care of oneself, contributing to society and enjoying life. Occupational therapy addresses barriers to participation of an individual, group or community that may occur as a result of illness or disability and/or obstacles in the social, institutional and/or physical environment." (2006) Law relates that the research findings of Law, Steinwender and Leclair (1998) states findings that "participation in everyday occupations is an important determinant of health and well-being and helps give meaning to life." (Law, 2006) Law relates that research has stated findings that "the behaviors of children with ASD have a significant impact on family roles and activities." (2006) This impact is one that "varies among family members and depends on community supports." (Law, 2006) Interventions are critical resources for parents who face challenges such as "gaining access to appropriate services, including finding professionals in the community which can provide the services, and knowing what kind of interventions are best for their child and family." (Law, 2006) the work of Bernadette Benson and Deborah Dewey entitled: "Parental Stress and Needs in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" published in the International Journal of Disability, Community and Rehabilitation states that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a severe pervasive developmental disorder" that is characterized "by abnormalities in social interaction and communication, as well as unusual interests and behaviors. Children with ASD initiate few social behaviors and their social expressiveness and sensitivity to others' social cues are limited. (2008) These behavioral characteristics have been linked to "high levels of anxiety, depression and everyday stress in parents." (Benson and Dewey, 2008) Furthermore, "parental stress has also been associated with the community's reaction to the child's diagnosis and the lack of supports available to provide relief to the caregiver." (Benson and Dewey, 2008) Benson and Dewey report the conducted of a study with the purpose of replicating findings of research examining levels of stress in parents of children with ASD. The study involved 55 parents of children with ASD who were 12 years of age and under. The assessment used was the PSI or the 'Parenting Stress Index', which assessed parents' levels of stress using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Benson and Dewey state that their findings are consistent with other studies, which show that regardless of the levels of stress, parents of children with ASD "ranked needs related to the professional community highly. These included the availability of good days programs for their child, knowledgeable, concerned professionals who were capable of providing an early, consistent diagnosis and professionals that provided information about the programs and resources available to families." (Benson and Dewey, 2008) Findings in this study state that it is "imperative that professionals in the field understand how both formal and informal resources can be used to alleviate the stress associated with raising a child with ASD and how resources/needs may differ for mothers and fathers, for those with younger or older children, and for those with a more recent diagnosis." (Benson and Dewey, 2008) the work of Stahmer (2007) entitled: "The Basic Structure of Community Early Intervention Programs for Children with Autism: Provider Descriptions" states that research on Autism has "identified a common set of effective practice elements for early intervention." Stahmer additionally states: "The number of children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased dramatically over the past decade. Although the reason for this increase is under debate, the reality is that appropriate early intervention (EI) programs for young children with ASD are in high demand. State and local governments are struggling to provide educational services, which meet the pervasive needs of children with ASD. However, the intensity and quality of services recommended is often difficult to provide due to budgetary constraints and problems retaining staff with sufficient training and expertise in ASD intervention. Public programs have faced criticism and legal action from families concerned that their children were not receiving appropriate services." (2007) Stahmer reports a study involving 80 early intervention providers. Participants were interviewed and asked questions relating to services provided in their service area. Stahmer relates that 96% of provider-participants in the study "stated that their programs offered opportunities for parent involvement." (2007) Types of involvement and opportunities for education of parents included: (1) observation of the child's program - 34%; (2) classes...
1) Connor (2002) states that studies report findings that mothers of children with Autism "who showed greater satisfaction" in life were those "who made the clearest redefinitions and who were most willing to follow alternative ways of gaining self-fulfillment." (p. 1) II. EFFECTS on LIFE of FAMILY in NORMAL ACTIVITIES In the work entitled: 'Autism and the Family" reported is a study conducted in a 12th grade classroom at 'Our Lady of
Autism in Children Autism can be defined as a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction usually evident before age 3 that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movement, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and usual sensory experiences (Coffey, 2004). Symptoms of autism are usually apparent by 30 months of age.
Autism is a developmental disorder as it is marked with pervasive and severe impairment revolving around areas of development such as communication, imagination, reciprocal interaction and behavior. The diagnostic criteria for autism as incorporated by the DSM IV TR includes symptoms such as impairment in the use of nonverbal behaviors like eye contact, gestures, bodily postures during the normal routine social interaction, the inability to form good peer relationships, delay
, 2003). After 2 years of continuous intervention, children in the program showed significant improvements in academic achievement and classroom behavior in comparison to children with behavior disorders who did not take part in the program. Also, severely disruptive children showed marked improvement in self-regulation following participation in the program. Furthermore, parents of children with behavior disorders that took part in the program reported reduced stress and improved parenting practices
COUNSELING Counseling: Social Justice and AgingPsychological Impacts upon Women Due to Gender-Based Wage Discrimination and Feminization of AgingCounseling is based on the provision of interventions that help sustain psychological well-being. The professional values have to be kept in line with the ethical values of the patient so that the therapeutic process is conducted smoothly for interventions that serve the best for the selected population segments for treatment. This paper aims
At long last, here is a book that provides women on the autism spectrum the opportunity to tell the world about their experiences, good and bad. Their candid reflections will warm your heart while giving you a backstage pass to another realm. Leading professionals in the field punctuate this masterpiece with fascinating articles that offer insightful advice. Finally, autism literature isn't just a "man's world." Buliller, K. (2008, Summer). Quirky
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now