Strengths and weaknesses in High Functioning Autism
Ina van Berckelaer-OnnesUniversity of Leiden
Cardiff10-05-2006
Autism Research levels
Behavioural level
cognitive level
Neurobiological level
Wing’s triad of ASD
Social interactions Communication Imagination versus DSM IV
stereotyped patterns
cognition behaviour
Underlying triad deficit
Limited intentionality
Limited symbol formation
Limited intentionality
Pointing
Imitation
Play
Limited symbol formation
Language
Imagination (play, etc.)
Consequences for:
interactiona) Behaviour
communication
perceptionb) Cognition attention
memory
Cognition HFA
Perception: information processing
Attention: set-shifting (+ inhibition??)
Memory: memory for facts versus functional memory
Perception – Information processing: language
Receptive language
versus
Expressive language
Levels of perception
Sensation Presentation Representation Metarepresentation
Cognitive Deficits (Styles)
Theory of Mind (ToM)
Executive Function (EF)
Central Coherence (CC)
Perception/language: ToM
Pronoun reversal (perspective taking)
Inappropriate questions
Perception/language: Executive Function.
Stereotyped phrases
Perseverations
Inflexibility
Perception language: Weak CC.
Poor context use
Associative language use
Literal language
Attention:WCC and EF Strong fixations /
obsessions Weak lack of interest
Set-shifting versus inhibition
Memory: WCC
Strong facts, encyclopedial
knowledge Weak social coherence
Diagnostic Protocol
Classification and individual assessment
Psychometric Evaluation
Cognition
Intelligence IQ ProfileNeuropsychological tests(ToM, EF,WCC)
Pitfalls
Generalization
Verbalizing versus Doing
Bridging Assessment to Treatment
From Profile to Interventions: Support Strengths and Build
up Weaknesses
Treatment strategies
1st grade strategy: environmental coaching
(augmentative communication)
2nd grade strategy: individual treatment
3rd grade strategy: individual colouring
Environment; 1st grade strategy
TEACCH principlestructure: in space
in timein activityin approach
Individual treatment; 2nd grade strategy
Focusing on the individual needs - speech therapy
- social skill training- job coaching- psychotherapy (mostly cognitive behavioural therapy)
- etc.
Individual colouring; 3rd grade strategy
Personal characteristic
Associated features
Comorbid Disorders
HFA: from the cradle to the grave
Treatment across the ages!