A meta-analysis of 52 studies teaching functional living skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder was conducted. Using the Tau effect size with the Dunn and the Kruskal--Wallis post-hoc analyses, the following categories were analyzed: age, diagnosis, intervention type, dependent variable, setting, and implementer. Analyses for age…

Distinguishing characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are deficits in social communication and interaction. Point-of-view video modeling has the potential to address these deficits. Therefore, the literature review investigated research targeting social skills through the application of point-of-view video modeling.…

Using a social-ecological framework, this case study examined communicative competence through classroom interactions involving Aaron, a preschool-age child with autism who utilized an augmentative and alternative communication device (AAC). In addition to Aaron, participants included Aaron's father, the school director, classroom teachers, a…

This resolution builds on the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE's) longstanding policies on students' rights to their own languages, resolutions opposing practices that denigrate home or heritage languages, policies supporting the unique learning needs of the individual, resolutions supporting inclusion of exceptional students, and…

An increasing evidence supports the role of industrial chemicals as contributors to the development of neurobehavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, whose prevalence has progressively increased in recent years. Heavy metals, in particular, are recognized as neurodevelopmental toxins since they can be responsible of fetal damages…

The article uses autobiographical reflection to argue for mental health as an area of cultural difference that merits inclusion in multicultural education. The author considers some issues that relate to how schools can contribute to the psychic and emotional well-being of young people whose makeups have historically been considered to be…

Families of adolescents with ASD, and school staff who support them, often report that maintaining good personal hygiene can be difficult for their sons, daughters, and students. Hygiene is the practice of keeping up with one's health and cleanliness. Maintenance of hygiene includes washing hands after going to the bathroom, using a tissue when…

Each year, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) releases a list of scientific advances that represent significant progress in the field of autism research. The "Summary of Advances" provides short, plain language summaries of the top research breakthroughs selected by the IACC from a pool of research articles nominated by…

This article describes a qualitative examination of the interactions between 2 students, 1 with autism and 1 with a developmental disability, and their peers without disabilities in 2 inclusive, public school elementary classrooms in the northeastern United States. Data were collected by naturalistic observation, semi-structured observation, and…

In November 2015, 469 submissions posted to a select committee inquiry into identification and support for students with the significant challenges of dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders in primary and secondary schools were downloaded. This article includes comments selected from a group of submissions from 141 direct family members…

It has been proposed in the literature that there exists a dissociation between the cognitive and the affective components of empathy among individuals with autism spectrum disorders, among them, Asperger syndrome (AS). The existing results, however, show mixed results. This literature review aims to shed some light on this field by reviewing…

We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 instructional arrangement studies that were conducted with children with autism spectrum disorders to improve academic and social communication skills and behavior. Results across the studies indicate that peer-mediated instructional arrangement is a robust method for teaching and improving various academic and…

We examined the peer-reviewed literature on teaching daily living skills to secondary students (ages 12-22 years) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disabilities (ID). A systematic search of the literature spanning January 2000-October 2012 was conducted, and 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Overall,…

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulties acquiring social skills without direct intervention. This article provides a review of research on the use of video modelling and scripts to improve the verbal conversational skills of individuals with ASD. The studies reviewed included participants with a diagnosis of ASD and…

This manual was designed primarily for use by people with disabilities. The hope is that it is also useful for families, as well as service coordinators and providers who directly assist families and individuals with disabilities. The focus of this manual is to provide easy-to-read information about available resources, and to provide immediate…