A good night’s sleep refreshes us physically and emotionally. Who hasn’t woken up after a night of deep sleep, feeling like a new person? Even more critical for children, a good night’s sleep is often an elusive goal for many children with autism. More than half of parents of children with autism report a sleep…
A member of OAR’s Scientific Council and the recipient of the 2004 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award and the 2006 Princeton Fellowship Award, Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D., has written numerous articles and books, including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (with Southwick) and Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence:…
Foxx and Garito present a data-based case study on the reduction of a variety of significantly challenging behaviors in a 12-year-old boy with a previously established autism diagnosis. “Ned,” a Romanian orphan, was adopted at the age of 2 and subsequently diagnosed with autism (and ADHD) one year later. At the time of the investigation,…
Noting that children with autism may display atypical or even fearful responses to common stimuli such as skin care products (often with a negative impact on adaptive functioning), Ellis and colleagues investigated the use of a treatment package including graduated exposure, modeling, and social attention on the fearful responses of two learners with autism. The…
Independent toileting is generally considered a core adaptive skill and one which individuals with ASD may find a challenge to master. The inability to independently toilet oneself is associated with a number of negative consequences including the potential for reduced participation in community resources. While other effective methods of toilet training appear in the literature…
We all know this rule: Don’t go anywhere with a stranger. But let’s say you meet a cute guy at the movies. The two of you chat for a few minutes while you’re waiting to buy popcorn. Then he asks you if you want to walk around before the movie starts. How would you react?…
Shawn A. Henry is the Executive Director at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI). He concentrates on developing statewide change efforts in promoting advances in the training of professionals serving students with autism. Brenda Smith Myles is the Chief of Programs and Development at OCALI, an associate professor in the Department of…
Dr. Malow is an associate professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University and director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center. She is currently conducting research in this area supported in part by an OAR grant awarded in 2006. Prior to joining the faculty at Vanderbilt, Malow was a tenured associate professor of neurology at the University…
Despite reports that outcome in individuals with autism spectrum disorders may be improving following early intensive interventions, we still have much to learn about the natural history of the disorders and the effects of intervention. While there may not yet be a known cure for autism, a number of viable (although not always easily accessible…
Shana Nichols, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher at the North Shore/Long Island Jewish Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism. She has worked in the field of autism spectrum disorders and child development for over 10 years and currently specializes in adolescence and growing up, dual diagnosis and mental health issues, and the…
