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Autism and relationships – please help two students at Deakin University with their Doctoral Research.

Autism and Relationships Research

Autism and Relationships Research

My name is Grace Hancock and I am a Doctor of Clinical Psychology candidate from Deakin University, Victoria.

 Both myself, and fellow PhD candidate, Laura Pecora, are conducting a study that may be of interest to females diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The project is being supervised by Associate Professor Mark Stokes. This study aims to increase knowledge about the experiences of friendships, relationships, and sexuality for individuals with ASD as they approach adolescence and early adulthood. The main aim of this research is to investigate the issues and challenges; as well as the positive factors that males and females on the spectrum face in their pursuit of fulfilling relationships and well being in all areas including sexuality.

 Given that there is extremely limited research of the experiences that are unique to this diagnostic population, we believe that improving the knowledge base in this area will work to increase awareness and foster greater understanding among parents, family, carers and supporters of persons with ASD. Furthermore we anticipate that the findings of this study will inform and enhance sex-education programs tailored specifically to address those concerns that individuals with ASD may experience. Accordingly, we are interested in responses from people who have a clinical diagnosis of High-functioning ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome, and are aged between 12 and 24 years, or their parents.

 Participation consists of answering an anonymous questionnaire, which can be accessed through the following link: http://psych.hosted-sites.deakin.edu.au/sbs


This should take approximately 25-35 minutes to complete.

 The study has approval from the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee- (DUHREC: 2014-270).

 

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Autism – Condition or Disorder? How should autism be described? What’s your view?

Autism – Condition or Disorder?

Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity

That is it – really simple.

How should be refer to autism now that it constituent parts ( ie Asperger’s syndrome, Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified)) have all been rolled in together?

(I was told one of the reasons in the UK was that the responsible local government bodies were trying to say that Asperger’s syndrome was not serious enough to warrant funding.)

Anyhow in the last few years there are been a further conversation in the autism community about nomenclature.

Should we call it Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)?

What do you think?

Please take the poll and share your thoughts in the comments box below.

Many thanks in advance!

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ICE4Autism – The ONLY Autism-Specific In Case of Emergency (ICE) Mobile App – a guest post from Wanda Refaely


ICE4Autism Features

ICE4Autism Features

Emergency situations are challenging for everyone, but the the sensory, communication, social and behavioral challenges associate with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can turn an emergency into a disaster for person with autism.

What is ICE4Autism?

ICE4Autism is the only ICE (in case of emergency) mobile app specially designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with ASDs. It stores vital information about an autistic person’s unique needs and sensitivities directly on their iPhone or iPad affording a practical and effective means of providing first responders with actionable information about themselves quickly and efficiently.

What is “autism-specific” about ICE4Autism?

ICE4Autism was developed in collaboration with people with autism for people with autism. It was designed based on the recognition that each person’s autism is as unique as the individual him/herself. The distinctive nature of autism means that even if first responders are aware that a person has autism, they do not have the specifics necessary to treat that particular individual properly.

First responders, ER doctors and nurses need to know what the particular person’s autism involves. Does s/he, for example, have communication differences, and if so, what are they? Does s/he have sensory issues? How does s/he react when overstimulated? And how can and should they respond effectively and appropriately?

ICE4Autism is person-centered and makes no assumptions or generalizations. Each self-explanatory widget stores and then displays only the information the person (or a loved one) enters about his/her individual needs.

Additional Special Features

The Alert my Emergency Contacts button sends a text message – including the user’s location pinned on Google maps — to pre-designated emergency contacts notifying them that the person may be in distress. In addition to its obvious usefulness in emergency situations, this feature can be used any time the user feels uneasy or in need of a bit of extra support.

The ICE Audio button plays the user’s own pre-recorded message including the most important information about his/her needs, sensitivities, behaviors and anything else s/he (or a loved one/caregiver) deems vital to their treatment. This special feature can be of particular value when the user is unable to communicate at all and/or when multi-tasking by first responders is critical to care.

Who should get ICE4Autism and Why?

Emergencies happen! They happen to everyone and they happen without warning! The good news is that it has never been easier to be prepared! Planning for the unexpected can be as simple as just a few clicks to download an ICE app and just a few minutes to enter your personal information.

EVERYONE should have an ICE app installed on their mobile devices – it’s just plain common sense!  And if you or someone you love has autism, then ICE4Autism is the right ICE app for you. In addition to providing emergency contact, allergy, medications and other medical and insurance information, ICE4Autism can also provide first responders with specific details about how you want and need to be treated based on the personalized information about YOU entered in the app.

Kids, teens and adults with autism should have ICE4Autism on their devices because you simply never know when an emergency will strike. And, parents, siblings and caregivers are encouraged to install it on their devices, as well. Having ICE4Autism on your devices means that all the important – and often complicated and tough to explain “off the cuff” — details about the person’s unique needs are readily accessible whether s/he is out alone or with a loved one who can help.

Is the information entered into ICE4Autism secure?

The ICE4Autism mobile app stores all of the information entered directly on the user’s device. The special Lock Option password protects the information entered in the app ensuring that data can be viewed in the locked position, but it cannot be altered.

On which devices can ICE4Autism be installed and used?

The ICE4Autism mobile app is designed for both iPhone and iPad and can be installed on any iPhone 4, 5, 6 and 6Plus, iPad or iPod Touch. It requires iOS7.1 or later

Where to get ICE4Autism, how much (little) it costs and more info about it

ICE4Autism is available on the App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/app/ice4autism/id969601780?mt=8 or search: ICE4Autism) for a one-time fee of only $1.99 (on the US App Store) — or a similarly nominal fee on your country’s App Store — for the full-featured application. ICE4Autism has NO pop-up ads, NO in-app purchases and requires NO on-going subscription fees.

Learn more including detailed descriptions of each ICE4Autism feature, FAQs, a downloadable step-by-step user guide, a brief video and much more at www.ICE4Autism.com

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Autism and Vaccination – what’s your take?

In 1998 Dr Andrew Wakefield published an article in the UK’s leading medical magazine “The Lancet” which argued that there was a connection between vaccination and autism.

Others argued the opposite and said there was no link between vaccinations and autism.

I thought it would be interesting to share with you some of the recent research on the subject of ASD and vaccines here.

But what I am really interested in is your views. There are two ways you can help. Firstly please take our pol on the subject which you can find here.

But it would be great if you could use the comments section below to share your experiences and views in more detail.

Please do bear in mind the sensitivity of the issue so we do ask for you to be charitable to others taking part in the discussions.

Thanks very much!


Vaccines and Autism
Source: Healthcare-Management-Degree.net

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eLearning for Autism – Help a student at Penn State with their Doctoral Research into Autism

eLearning for Autism – Help a student at Penn State with their Doctoral Research into Autism

eLearning for Autism (https://elearningforautism.wordpress.com) is a new research project designed to better understand how online education can help

Megan Runion - Autism Researcher

Megan Runion – Autism Researcher

families who have children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is most relevant to parents who are adjusting to a child’s recent ASD diagnosis, but the materials are freely available to anyone with an interest in learning about ASDs.

Participation in this project is completely voluntary. If you choose to participate in the eLearning project you will have the opportunity to access interactive online learning modules to help you learn new ways to help your child and family. The modules cover
• What Autism is,
• ASD Treatments,
• Changing Behavior,
• Stress Management and Coping, and
• Navigating Systems.


These online learning modules are free and you can stop participating at any time. One participant will win a $25 electronic gift certificate! You can also choose to receive feedback on your levels of stress and self-efficacy after completing optional follow up surveys.

Learn more about participating by visiting the eLearning for Autism website: https://elearningforautism.wordpress.com

Please feel free to contact the researcher, Megan Runion at mcr19@psu.edu, with any questions. Thank you!

This research is being conducted by Megan Runion, a second year graduate student in the School Psychology program at Penn State. Megan is excited to offer learning opportunities for families and to learn more about how families can best benefit from online learning.