Tag Archives: Research

Teaching Sarcasm

By Ali Aguilar | Published: October 10, 2012
Sarcasm

One of the reasons my daughter struggled to understand my explanation of sarcasm, other than the sub-par definition and the fact that she’s still a little shaky on the meaning of “opposite,” is because the ability to detect sarcasm and irony doesn’t develop until ages 5 or 6. In neurotypical children, this skill continues to develop into early teens (Creusere, 2000; Dews et al., 1996; Harris & Pexman, 2003; Pexman et al., 2011). For children with ASDs (ASD), understanding and using non-literal and counterfactual language, like sarcasm, is particularly difficult.

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Posted in Autism Therapy | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Behavioral Intervention to Increase Compliance with Liquid Medications

By Marlena Smith | Published: August 4, 2011

In a recent study, CARD researchers Averil Schiff, Dr. Jonathan Tarbox, Taira Lanagan, and Peter Farag found behavioral intervention to increase compliance with liquid medications in a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD often have trouble taking medications in both pill and liquid form. For this reason, CARD researchers set out to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral intervention in improving compliance with liquid medications in a child with ASD.

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Posted in Autism Research | Also tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

Center for Autism Ranked in Top Three Non-Governmental Organizations Providing Largest Financial Support to Autism Research

By Daphne Plump | Published: July 20, 2011

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), has been named one of the top three largest non-governmental financial supporters of autism research in the United States, and the only for-profit organization in the top three-tier ranking. The research findings come from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services’ Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), whose mission is to provide a blueprint for autism research that is advisory to the Department of Health and Human Services and serves as a basis for partnerships with other agencies and private organizations involved in autism research and services.

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Posted in Autism Research, Autism Therapy, Autism Treatment | Also tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The American Psychiatric Association’s Proposed Revision of the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism

By Marlena Smith | Published: June 10, 2011

While these are very real concerns, they do not take away from the scientific evidence that the disorder is best described as falling along a spectrum and that the APA’s revised diagnostic criteria likely offers a more accurate clinical definition of the disorder. As we move forward with the revised diagnostic criteria, we will surely run into obstacles; however, in the long run I believe we will have a much more clinically useful definition of autism. I am interested in hearing what you have to say on the matter. What are your thoughts on the APA’s revised diagnostic criteria?

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Posted in Autism Research | Also tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Prenatal Vitamins and Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Marlena Smith | Published: June 1, 2011

Participants included 278 children with typical development, 288 children with autistic disorder, and 141 children with ASD, ages 24 to 60 months. Via telephone interviews, mothers were questioned retroactively about their consumption of vitamin supplements during the three months prior to conception and throughout the gestational period. Furthermore, blood samples were collected from the families of 232 participants with typical development and 238 participants with autistic disorder. Maternal, paternal, and child blood samples were tested for various one-carbon metabolism gene variations, which have been found in previous research studies to be associated with ASD.

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Posted in Autism Research | Also tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Cultural Differences in Endorsed Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Marlena Smith | Published: April 27, 2011

In a recent study, Dr. Johnny Matson and colleagues identified cultural differences in endorsed symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While it has been reported that diagnostic criteria and behavioral manifestation of ASD is virtually the same worldwide, cultural differences may impact how ASD symptoms are interpreted around the world. For this reason, Dr. Matson and colleagues set out to investigate cultural differences in reported ASD symptoms across four countries including Israel, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US).

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Posted in Autism Research | Also tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

CARD eLearning: An opportunity for Caregivers of Children with Autism

By Marlena Smith | Published: January 25, 2011

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh and other CARD research and development staff have conducted preliminary research on CARD eLearning that suggested it may be an effective tool for training behavioral therapists. The study evaluated the effectiveness of eLearning as compared to traditional lecture-style instruction in training newly hired therapists. Knowledge of ABA significantly increased for both groups, with the traditional training group scoring slightly higher than the eLearning group.

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Posted in Autism Therapy, Autism Treatment, Doreen Granpeesheh | Also tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Law Enforcement and Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Marlena Smith | Published: January 11, 2011

Written By Marlena Smith & Jill Teagardin Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction, as well as the presence of repetitive and stereotyped behavior. These core features are likely to impact interactions between persons with ASD and others, including law enforcement officers. If police officers are unfamiliar with ASD, [...]

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Posted in Autism Awareness | Also tagged , | 6 Comments

Yoga: The New Autism Therapy

By Amanda Deering | Published: January 10, 2011

Many American’s have caught on to the yoga craze, including myself and many of my friends. Why? Because its relaxing, fun and makes you more attune to your body, while building strength and flexibility. When I learned that yoga teachers were offering classes for children with autism (not too common, but hopefully there will be [...]

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Posted in Autism Therapy | Also tagged , , | 5 Comments