Design approach of mathematics learning activities in a digital environment for children with autism spectrum disorders

Learning environment on mathematics for autistic children is a prototype of a digital environment with dynamic adaptation features designed to offer activities towards the development of mathematical reasoning in children aged 6–12 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. This paper, with a primarily conceptual and analytical scope, discusses the mathematical difficulties that some children with ASD have, and presents strategies that can be used to overcome them. Based on a literature review and on the results of a preliminary study already conducted, we present results concerning the proposal of a set of learning activities for the prototype under development, specifically targeted to promote mathematical reasoning in students with ASD. Guidelines for future research are also discussed.     

Looking at Eye Gaze Processing and Its Neural Correlates in Infancy—Implications for Social Development and Autism Spectrum Disorder

The importance of eye gaze as a means of communication is indisputable. However, there is debate about whether there is a dedicated neural module, which functions as an eye gaze detector and when infants are able to use eye gaze cues in a referential way. The application of neuroscience methodologies to developmental psychology has provided new insights into early social cognitive development. This review integrates findings on the development of eye gaze processing with research on the neural mechanisms underlying infant and adult social cognition. This research shows how a cognitive neuroscience approach can improve our understanding of social development and autism spectrum disorder.     

图片交换沟通系统对自闭症儿童干预有效性研究综述

众多自闭谱系障碍个体在沟通方面面临不同程度的困难,功能性语言的缺失是其中的突出问题,这严重阻碍了自闭症儿童的发展和社会融入。图片交换沟通系统通过逐步递进的六个阶段,改善儿童的沟通能力。随着图片交换沟通系统的广泛使用,众多研究者开始关注该方法的有效性。研究表明,图片交换沟通系统可以作为改善自闭症儿童功能性沟通能力的有效方法,虽然其同言语产生关系的研究尚未取得一致性结论,但它并不会阻碍言语的产生。     

Fostering social connectedness among adolescents and adults with autism: A qualitative analysis

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts approximately 1 in 44 children in the United States. Common characteristics of ASD are marked deficits in communication and social connectedness. As autistic children approach adolescence, there is a lack of interventions available to them. Mentoring can provide adolescents with a relationship that facilitates social connectedness with another person who has a shared life experience, filling a gap in services. The Autism Mentorship Program (AMP) was designed to provide autistic adolescents a meaningful relationship with an autistic young adult. Via participation in focus groups, mentees (n = 5), mentors (n = 6), and parents of mentees (n = 6) shared their experience of participating in an afterschool, youth mentoring intervention. Themes were developed from an open coding procedure. Results showed that AMP was associated with helping mentees find social connection within their mentoring relationship and among the group of mentees. Mentors also reported mutual benefits in social connectedness. Perceived benefits of the program, including improved academic performance, and suggestions for future programming are reported. AMP appears to be a promising program that provides social benefits for adolescents with ASD who may have few options for this type of support.     

自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工障碍的成因——来自不同理论的解释

通过分析自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工障碍的相关理论,揭示该群体面孔加工障碍的形成原因。首先,自闭症谱系障碍者在面孔加工中对社会刺激感知异常,对面孔缺乏兴趣,忽视面孔;在特定条件下回避眼睛,依靠嘴部进行面孔识别。相关理论有:社交动机假说、眼睛威胁假说和嘴部信息补偿假说。其次,自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工能力不足,面孔加工相关脑区存在功能损伤、加工策略可能异常。相关理论有:加工策略异常假说、社会脑假说。最后,根据自闭症谱系障碍者面孔加工障碍的形成原因,提出教学启示。     

自闭症者颞上沟发育异常与其社会交往障碍探讨

自闭症谱系障碍中最为常见的临床症状是社会交往和交流障碍。已有研究发现,颞上沟在言语加工、生物运动和心理理论中发挥着重要作用,而自闭症者在这几方面都存在不同程度的缺陷。本文综合已有关于自闭症者颞上沟的结构异常和功能缺陷的研究,试图梳理出颞上沟在自闭症者的言语加工、生物运动和心理理论缺损中可能产生的作用机制。     

自闭症者的视觉认知障碍及其神经机制

自闭症是一种神经发育障碍.自闭症者的非社会性信息加工表现出非典型特征,其社会性功能存在严重缺陷,使得自闭症者的社会适应能力减弱.本文从自闭症者的认知能力、社会性发展及神经机制的角度进行整体综述,总结自闭症者对社会性与非社会性刺激加工的特点与规律,最后指出该研究领域尚存在的或未涉及的问题.     

FOCUS ON PRACTICE: Sexuality and Relationship Education for young people with autistic spectrum disorder: curriculum change and staff support

Finding suitable curriculum materials for Sexuality and Relationship Education for young people with autistic spectrum disorder can be a challenge for teaching staff. In this article, Sue Hatton and Angie Tector who both formerly worked at Coddington Court School discuss findings from their research project asking pupils with autistic spectrum disorder in a residential specialist school setting to reflect on their curricular experience and share what would have helped them and prepared them better for relationships. Sue Hatton and Angie Tector have used their research findings to develop materials to support a personalised approach to Sexuality and Relationship Education suitable for both classroom and residential settings. They have also tried to ensure that staff who are responsible for delivering the curriculum are given adequate training. Recommendations from their study have now been incorporated into the training offered across the West Midlands to teaching and support staff in mainstream and educational settings.     

Parents' experiences of applied behaviour analysis (ABA)‐based interventions for children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA)‐based programmes are endorsed as the gold standard for treatment of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in most of North America. This is not the case in most of Europe, where instead a non‐specified ‘eclectic’ approach is adopted. We explored the social validity of ABA‐based interventions with 15 European families who had experience with home‐based, mainly self‐managed, ABA‐based programmes for their own child/ren with ASD. The results of the study highlighted the overwhelmingly positive impact that ABA‐based interventions had on their children in areas such as social skills, challenging behaviour, communication, gross and fine motor skills, concentration, interaction, independence, overall quality of life and, most importantly, a feeling of hope for the future. Implications for European policy on ASD are discussed.     

Can mimetics,a theatre‐based practice,open possibilities for young people with learning disabilities? A capability approach

While the significance of the social model of disability for articulating inclusive approaches in education is recognised, the application of capability theory to education is less well developed. This article by Jo Trowsdale of the University of Warwick and Richard Hayhow of Open Theatre considers how a particular theatre‐based practice, here described as ‘mimetics’, can alter and extend the aspirations and achievements of children and young people with learning disabilities, and might be understood as applied capability theory or ‘capability practice’. Mimetics has been crafted from experimental psycho‐physical actor‐training processes by Open Theatre Company working in collaboration with actors with learning disabilities, and adapted to support the learning and development of young people with learning disabilities. This study draws upon an action research project set up by Creative Partnerships with Open Theatre Company and a special school, where children demonstrated increased motivation and capacity for communication and socialisation, improved well‐being, learning and wider achievement. To illustrate the process, we offer a case study of one child with an autistic spectrum disorder.     

Drama, narrative and early learning

Melanie Peter is a lecturer in early childhood studies and special needs at Suffolk College, Ipswich, and a freelance consultant in arts education and inclusive/special education. Her recent research has focused on the value of pretence, particularly for children with autistic spectrum disorders. In this article, based on a paper given to the conference 'Innovation, Research and Good Practice in the Education of Pupils with Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities' at the University of London in April 2002, she presents an approach to developing drama with severely socially challenged children, underpinned by a rationale founded in the importance of early experiences of make–believe and narrative. In drama, children at early stages of learning can begin to explore and understand social narratives from the inside – a vital route to developing social competence. Melanie Peter concludes that while play–drama intervention is aimed especially at children with autistic spectrum disorders, it can also benefit a wider range of children with severe and complex learning needs and help them to participate more effectively in a social world.     

英国自闭谱系障碍儿童的早期家庭干预

自闭谱系障碍通常被描述为一种起病于3岁之前,以明显的社会交往障碍、言语沟通异常以及刻板的兴趣、奇特的行为方式为特征的谱系障碍。尽早发现、评估、干预,才能最大程度地开发这类儿童的潜能。英国目前已经拥有较为完善的法律保障体系,以保障自闭谱系障碍儿童的权利及其家庭的参与权利。"不只是语言""早起的鸟"等早期家庭干预模式均重视家长的参与,旨在形成由专业人员指导、家长执行并合作解决问题的干预体系,促进自闭谱系障碍儿童发展。英国的经验值得借鉴。     

The use of drama to teach social skills in a special school setting for students with autism

For children with autism, social challenges may be both part of the disability and a barrier to accessing education. This article reports on a project that used drama to address such challenges by drawing on the social skills of non‐autistic peers in a special school setting. The article demonstrates how drama's flexibility may be harnessed in order to help students support each other's development of creative and communicative skills. Focusing on two children in particular, specific examples are given to illustrate how they participated in group work, made imaginative contributions to verbal and physical representations and engaged with abstract ideas. The project's outcomes suggest that, given a concrete structure and an invitation to collaborate, drama can be a powerful learning medium for children with autistic spectrum disorder. The conclusion reflects on the diverse meaning of inclusive practice that can be achieved within specialist settings.     

自闭症谱系障碍个体社会奖赏加工缺陷的神经机制

自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)是一种以社会交往障碍为主要特征的神经发育障碍,ASD的社会交往障碍与社会动机的缺乏有关,主要表现为社会奖赏加工缺陷。已有的神经影像学、脑电成分和神经化学成分的研究从神经机制上揭示了ASD个体的社会奖赏加工存在缺陷,并且该缺陷发生在奖赏预期阶段,但其非社会奖赏加工能力和奖赏加工阶段是否也存在缺陷没有获得一致的结论。研究者未来可结合fNIRS和其它神经科学技术进行多模态研究,进一步探究ASD个体的奖赏加工缺陷是否特定于社会刺激,并探究其奖赏加工缺陷发生的阶段,以期对ASD个体的社会动机展开更为全面和深入的研究。     

How do we create ASD‐friendly schools? A dilemma of placement

Scope exists within the Northern Ireland (NI) education system to transform mainstream schools into autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)‐friendly environments. The efficacy of mainstream inclusion is discussed prior to discussing the creation of ASD‐friendly schools. The transformation of mainstream school environments is underpinned by concepts such as inclusive pedagogical approach, universal design for learning and learning without limits. These are discussed alongside strategies to enact core inclusive principles of equity, participation and belonging. However, the need for ASD‐specific approaches and schools is also recognised. Our perspectives as educators influence pedagogy, attitudes and approaches to educating autistic children. A social constructivist consciousness is fundamental to moving from deficit SEN rhetoric to creating enabling education for autistic young people. The question of how to achieve this is answered within this article. The use of identity‐first language is preferred by a large proportion of the autism community; therefore the term ‘autistic child’, rather than ‘child with autism’, is adopted throughout.     

孤独症谱系儿童社会交往干预研究———视觉文本干预法研究综述

孤独症谱系儿童的典型特点之一是社会性发展障碍,目前国外有许多针对孤独症谱系儿童的社会交往干预方式,近几年也出现了视觉文本干预方式的研究,因此,需要对视觉文本干预方式的有效性进行分析。通过对国外文献的查询、整理和分析,发现各研究结果均显示出视觉文本干预能够增加儿童积极的沟通行为,社会交往也能够泛化到新的同伴、新的环境以及新的刺激当中。     

自闭症儿童语言发展研究综述

自闭症儿童的语言障碍问题是自闭症儿童发展和教育研究的重要组成部分。本文从自闭症儿童语言发展特征、自闭症儿童语言发展的核心障碍,以及自闭症儿童语言与其他发展领域相关研究等方面,综述近年国外有关自闭症儿童语言发展障碍研究的新进展,以供国内同行参考。     

孤独症儿童的语言障碍及语言发展

孤独症儿童是一个特殊的群体,他们游离于主流社会之外,生活在封闭的世界里,对外面的一切漠不关心。他们即使外表正常,但是言语和交际方面的障碍阻碍了他们进入社会群体的道路,怎样帮助他们克服言语交际方面的困难是帮助他们的关键。本文分析了孤独症儿童的语言障碍并提出在言语方面的帮助措施,以探讨对这一残障儿童的治疗方法。