Thursday 7 January 2016
A self-assessment test for autistic adults doesn’t rely on information of instructors, parents and caregivers about the ailment. Adults can fill up the questionnaire themselves.
Scientists have developed a new test that could well be the first effective self-assessment method to understand the core symptom of autism among adults. A recent report in a leading journal on autism and development disorders, states about a newly developed adult repetitive behavior questionnaire. The questionnaire measures repetitive and restricted behavior that makes up the key symptoms of autism, besides the communicative and social challenges. Till now, most of the apparatus used for the research and diagnoses of the disorder relied on parents, instructors, or caregivers for reporting the behavior of an individual having autism conditions. But the new research has developed a test whereby individuals would be able to report about their own behaviors.
Adult diagnosis challenges
Psychologists usually diagnose autism through direct observations and questionnaires that record the opinion of parents and caregivers. The behavioral checklist, however, is designed to assess children and not adults. The latter, by the time they grow up, become adept to hide their symptoms. Also, parents of adults are often deceased, incapacitated, or live at a distant place, are unavailable to fill in questionnaires on early childhood behavior. It thus often becomes difficult to get psychologists who are qualified for evaluating adults on autism, and those who use their own methods.
Assessing restricted and repetitive behavior
Restricted and repetitive behavior include routines and habits like arranging or rearranging objects in a pattern, obsessive fiddling with the objects or insisting that aspects of the daily routine remain the same. The new test indicates when such behaviors become severe or more frequent.
The scientists who developed the self-assessment test for autistic adults, asked 310 Australian and British adults to take the test, to judge its reliability. Half of the sample size were already diagnosed with autism, while the rest were not. Some of those who took the test, and were without autism, showed high tendency for repetitive behavior. Those diagnosed with autism earlier scored significantly high in the test.
The test per se
The self-assessment test for autistic adults, by itself, can’t diagnose the ailment. Restricted and repetitive behavior is just one of the many core symptoms of autism. Communicative and social challenges, and most importantly sensory issues, are the other major indicators. Repetitive behaviors are often associated with conditions like Parkinson’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OSD), and Tourette syndrome. Adults wondering whether to exhibit repetitive or restricted behaviors, now have a tool for determining whether they need any help. Most often people fail to realize that help is always available for all these behaviors. Hopefully, by analyzing their behavior and extending help, they can live better.
Scientists are evaluating the self-assessment test for autistic adults to identify areas for improvement. The idea is to make the test as comprehensive as possible. The test is likely to be available online to make more people come under its ambit.
Wednesday 12 November 2014
THE family of a young autistic woman sent to a mental health unit in
Brighton have won their three-month battle to bring her home.
Claire Dyer, from Gowerton,
is back at home with her family after an order — keeping her detained
at the medium secure psychiatric unit — was lifted. Her mother Cath Dyer
said the episode had taken its toll on the family but said her daughter
was “ecstatic” to be home.
She
said: "We are so pleased and Claire is ecstatic but it has been such a
nightmare. We are all exhausted physically and mentally."
She added: “Her mental health section has been removed, and
she is staying at home with us, having support until her new placement
is sorted. She is so, so pleased, and we are all over the moon. It’s
been hell for three months since she was sent to Brighton, and has been a
long roller coaster of a ride.”
Tuesday 4 November 2014
For school-age children, the rise in autism spectrum disorder and the
decrease in physical activity spell trouble. Since children diagnosed
with autism tend to be more sedentary and also lag in the development of
motor skills, physical activity may be more difficult to learn.
At the Nov. 10 Corvallis Science Pub, Megan MacDonald,
an assistant professor in the College of Public Health and Human
Sciences, will explore the connection between autism and exercise.
 |
| CPHHS Assistant Professor Megan MacDonald. |
“Our nation is in the midst of a physical inactivity epidemic, and
children with ASD have not been spared,” she said. “The good news is
that we can teach these physically active behaviors to help ensure a
healthy future.”
The Science Pub presentation is free and open to the public. It
begins at 6 p.m. at the Old World Deli, 341 S.W. 2nd St. in Corvallis.
MacDonald received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 2011.
Her research focuses on how motor skills and physically active
lifestyles improve the lives of children and youth with and without
disabilities. She has a specific interest in the movement skills of
children with autism spectrum disorder.
Sponsors of Science Pub include Terra magazine at OSU, the Downtown Corvallis Association and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Original Source : Click here
Monday 3 November 2014
The Centre for Autism Research and Education which occupies two properties on Bompas Road, may be forced to relocate, creating a nightmare for the parents of the children in its care. School’s catering for autistic children are few and far between in Joburg, making the centre a gem for affected parents.
Dr Rakhee Singh’s six-year-old son has been a pupil at the school since it opened in 2011. Since starting at the school, his son’s development has been vast, a fact which Singh attributes to the unique care provided by the school.
A legal battle between the centre and a neighbour has resulted in an interdict which will force the school to relocate as the school is currently incorrectly zoned.
Read More : http://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/146701/aimee44care/
Thursday 30 October 2014
In celebration of Hilton Worldwide’s third annual Global Week of Service, on October 22,Hilton Beijing Capital Airport successfully held the event of "Cares for the Children from Stars&Rain Autism School", to arouse the public awareness of autism and give more care and love to autistic children.
Community service is an integral part of Hilton Worldwide’s culture, and also the company’s commitment to serving and enriching the communities where we live, work and travel. This year, Hilton Beijing Capital Airport invited Beijing Stars&Rain Education Institute autistic children, parents and teachers to experience and explore at hotel, by arranging a series of interactive activities with hotel team members, giving the autistic children a chance to discover a wider world. At the same time, an Autism Lecture was also held, making more guests, nearby committee and hotel team members to know more about autism and help them better involve in the society. The media interview with hotel General Manger Tony Marrinan and Teacher Bo from Beijing Stars&Rain School was arranged then so as to arouse more public care and love to these children by the power of media.
Community service is an integral part of Hilton Worldwide’s culture, and also the company’s commitment to serving and enriching the communities where we live, work and travel. This year, Hilton Beijing Capital Airport invited Beijing Stars&Rain Education Institute autistic children, parents and teachers to experience and explore at hotel, by arranging a series of interactive activities with hotel team members, giving the autistic children a chance to discover a wider world. At the same time, an Autism Lecture was also held, making more guests, nearby committee and hotel team members to know more about autism and help them better involve in the society. The media interview with hotel General Manger Tony Marrinan and Teacher Bo from Beijing Stars&Rain School was arranged then so as to arouse more public care and love to these children by the power of media.
To Read More click here ...
Wednesday 29 October 2014
A MUM hopes that her autistic son’s education will get back on track after she claims he was “bullied” at his secondary school.
Joanne Robson’s son Liam, 11, started at Kepier, in Houghton, last month.
However, Mrs Robson, 39, wants her son to go to a special school which would suit his needs, with an assessment whether he can be moved due to take place next week.
She claims Year 7 pupil Liam has faced abuse from other pupils at Kepier, including being punched, kicked and shoved as well as being called names.
After the half-term break, Liam is set to go to Kepier for two-and-a-half days each week, while he will spend the rest of the week at Barbara Priestman Academy, in Meadowside, which caters for pupils with disabilities and learning difficulties.
Liam and his mum will have a meeting with education bosses to see if he can be given a statement, meaning that he needs to be taught at a special school.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Recently, my autistic adult son was admitted to the Institute of
Mental Health with help from officers at the Neighbourhood Police Post
near my home at Marine Crescent, and I am grateful to them.
My husband, a cabby, was taking him, two children and one of their maids home, and my son kept wanting to open the rear passenger doors.
The maid helped manage the situation, but my husband could
not then send them home, as it would be too risky to manage my son
without someone else in the vehicle.
My husband, a cabby, was taking him, two children and one of their maids home, and my son kept wanting to open the rear passenger doors.
Read More : http://www.todayonline.com/voices/police-officers-went-extra-mile-son-autism
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