Category Archives: Autism Videos at ACT

Sex Matters: The secondary impact of low prevalence for girls and women with autism

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

Dr. Jamison established Girls Night Out (GNO) in 2008 to provide socially valid and meaningful interventions designed specifically for females with autism and related developmental disabilities. Details of the program can be found here Girls Night Out: Lessons learned from a unique intervention for girls with autism. 

This second part of the keynote presentation focuses on research on the possible secondary impact on females with autism because of the discrepancy in rates of diagnosis between males and females. The concern is that missing females with autism is  exacerbating social-communication impairments and increasing risk for co-occurring mental health conditions.

Dr. Rene Jamison and Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler, Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center

Dr. Rene Jamison is an Associate Professor and licensed psychologist in pediatrics at the Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center. Her primary research focus is females with autism, identifying factors that contribute to social competence across development, and interventions to improve social-emotional health.

Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler is a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor also at the CCHD. She is the associate director for the Girls Night Out Program and key collaborator on related research projects, community partnership, and training efforts to create more inclusive communities.

Part 1: Introduction, Implications, Experiences of girls in the program

Part 2: Exploring the Social Profile of Females with Autism

Part 3: Cumulative Impact Across the Lifespan

Part 4: Sustaining & Expanding Ongoing Access

Part 5: Training & Dissemination of Best Practices

Part 6: Q&A

  1. How does your program work for girls that require a lot of support or are non-speaking? How do you make it as inclusive as you can when there’s such a wide range of needs across the spectrum? (Start-5:28)
  2. What would this program look like for younger girls aged 5-10 years old? (5:34-7:28)
  3. What interventions or methodlogies does GNO provide for the home environment? (7:28  -10:08)
  4. Has there been any thought about coming up with a weekend or week where social skills can be learned through cooking and other skill-building activities?(10:08- 11:54)
  5. How do you recruit neurotypical peers? Do you expect them to have previous knowledge of ASD? (11:55-15:43)

Girls Night Out: Lessons learned from a unique intervention for girls with autism

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This presentation is followed by Sex Matters: The secondary impact of low prevalence for girls and women with autism.

Dr. Jamison established Girls Night Out (GNO) in 2008 to provide socially valid and meaningful interventions designed specifically for females with autism and related developmental disabilities. It is a positive and practical approach to giving girls with autism the opportunity to engage socially in a supportive environment.

In this presentation, Dr. Jamison and Dr. Oeth Schuttler explain the development of GNO. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of embedding the program within the community and during activities that social or self-care care skills would naturally occur. The role of trained peer volunteers in ensuring authentic opportunities for successful practice within realistic social settings is explained.

The second part of this keynote presentation, Sex Matters: The secondary impact of low prevalence for girls and women with autism, focuses on research examining the possible secondary impact on females with autism, of the discrepancy in rates of diagnosis between males and females. The concern is that missing females with autism is  exacerbating social-communication impairments and increasing risk for co-occurring mental health conditions.

Dr. Rene Jamison and Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler, Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center

Dr. Rene Jamison is an Associate Professor and licensed psychologist in pediatrics at the Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center. Her primary research focus is females with autism, identifying factors that contribute to social competence across development, and interventions to improve social-emotional health.

Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler is a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor also at the CCHD. She is the associate director for the Girls Night Out Program and key collaborator on related research projects, community partnership, and training efforts to create more inclusive communities.

Part 1: Introduction to Girls Night Out

Part 2: Sex Differences in ASD: Highlights and Implications

Part 3: What Makes GNO Unique?

Part 4: GNO Session Model

Part 5: Promoting Independence in Self-Care Skills

Part 6: Program Outcomes

Part 7: Q&A

 

  1. Could the girls set the agenda for activities they want to do? (00:00-00:40)
  2. Do you have any programs for people over 30? (00:40-01:40)
  3. What does the cost look like for participants and organizers in your program? Does it qualify for funding? (01:41-04:22)

Special Challenges Faced by Mothers with ASD

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This panel presentation and discussion provides a rare opportunity to better understand the perspective of autistic mothers who also have children with autism. These three mothers were each diagnosed as adults, after their children were diagnosed.

This presentation is introduced and moderated by Dr. Grace Iarocci, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Autism and Developmental Disorders Lab at Simon Fraser University. In addition, Julia Rose, a Child and Youth with Diverse Needs consultant, explains some of the resources available to families bringing up children with autism in British Columbia.

About the Panelists

Jennifer Branston is the mother of two children, a 24-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son whom, until recently, she home-schooled. Jennifer received a diagnosis of ASD less than two years after her son was diagnosed.

Kristy Tremblay discovered information about women on the spectrum when she was researching strategies to help support her son who had received a diagnosis. Ms. Tremblay was diagnosed in 2016. She lives in tkemlups (Kamloops), on unceded Secwepemc territory.

Pam Palmer is a mother of four children, two of whom have a diagnosis of autism. She also received a formal diagnosis of autism after her children were diagnosed.

Julia Rose is a Children and Youth with Diverse Needs Consultant for Vancouver Island, with the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development. She has been in her position for the past 11 years and has prior experience in autism policy and front line social work. The role also involves advising the ministry’s provincial office; the autism funding branch, policy, practice and operations.

Part 1: Introduction by Dr. Grace Iarocci

Part 2: Jennifer Branston

Part 3: Kristy Tremblay

Part 4: Pam Palmer

Part 5: Julia Rose

Part 6: Question & Answer period

  • 01:30 – 03:39 : What can social and peer groups for children with autism do to help parents with autism enjoy those groups? 
  • 03:40 – 04:55: As a mother, have  you felt like you were treated differently because of your autism? 
  • 04:57 – 08:35: Did you find that your autistic characteristics came out more after having a child?   
  • 08:35 – 11:50 :  Where did you seek ASD diagnosis for yourself and what did that process look like?

 

The Experience of Women with ASD – A Panel Presentation by Women with ASD

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This panel was considered a highlight of our 2018 conference. This is your opportunity to learn from the fascinating insights provided by these four remarkable autistic women. Introduced and moderated by Dr. Rene Jamison, University of Kansas Medical Center.

 

About the Panelists

Ryann Calkins is in the process of finishing her degree at UBC Okanagan studying languages. She grew up on a cattle ranch in central Alberta, moving to BC in her mid-teens. She has worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor for six years.

Iris Gray was diagnosed with ASD in 2005. She organizes two peer support groups for autistic adults in Victoria. One of them is specifically for autistic women. Ms Gray works as a freelance transcriber and editor.

Vivian Ly is an autistic self-advocate and the Executive Director of Autistics United Canada (formerly Canadian Autistics United), a grassroots disability rights organization that “works to improve the lives of autistic people in what is colonially known as Canada through self-advocacy”. Vivian is currently a Behavioural Neuroscience student at SFU and a strong proponent of “Nothing about us, without us!””

Nicole Provost is a 23 year old physics student from Abbotsford, BC and is the founder of the ‘Mayday Club Youth Choir’ – most members are teens on the autism spectrum. In addition, Nicole tutors students in pre-calculus, teaches competitive tap dancing and does voice acting. After graduating university, Nicole hopes to attend medical school, and become a paediatric oncologist.

Part 1: Introduction by Dr. Rene Jamison

Part 2: Iris Gray

Part 3: Nicole Provost

Part 4: Vivian Ly

Part 5: Ryann Calkins

Part 6: Question & Answer period

  • Q1:  Can you share stories or strategies about how to find young autistic girls find autistic pride? (00:00 –  05:40)
  • Q2: You’ve all been through the public school system. If you had one thing to say to teachers or the people who have taught you, what would that be? What’s the one thing that they could do to make it better for you? (05:40 –  10:23)
  • Q3: What do you consider respectful and ethical research practice? (10:23 – 14:22)
  • Q4: How do you deal with ableism? (14:22 – 16:20)
  • Q5: How do you feel you would have done in an alternative environment like home-schooling or schools that matched your learning style? Do you have advice for parents making decisions about where to send their children? (16:20 – 21:05)
  • Q6: Are any of the panelists in relationships with autistic folks, and if so, how do you balance your needs with the needs of your partner? (21:05 – 23:49)
    Mentions realsocialskills.org

 

Understanding mental health problems and ASD – evidence-based case conceptualization to inform treatment planning

From the workshop Applications of CBT to Address Emotional Functioning in Youth with ASD

Jonathan Weiss, PhD, CPsych

Filmed July 24th, 2017

This presentation is part of a free training series developed for mental health clinicians experienced in CBT with an interest in adaptations relevant to neurodevelopmental disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disability).

Learning Objectives:
  • Recognize common emotional and behavioual problems associated with ASD
  • Differentiate mental health problems from ASD symptoms
  • Conceptualize common case frameworks that can inform CBT planning
  • Consider ethical issues in working with individuals with ASD using a CBT framework – including a panel discussion

About the Presenter

Weiss_photoDr. Weiss holds the Canadian Institute of Health Research Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research. He is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University in Toronto.

Dr. Weiss’ research focuses on the prevention and treatment of mental health problems in people with ASD and/or intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. He is interested in their health service needs, their emergency service use, and their experiences of psychiatric crisis. Among other research areas, Dr. Weiss is interested in cognitive-behavioural and social skill interventions to promote resilience and improve the mental health of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Watch Dr. Weiss speak on Thriving in Youth in ASD: What Does it Take? from October 2015.

Session 1

1.1: Case Conceptualization

  • What are ‘mental health problems’ in the context of ASD?
  • Four generic case formulation components

1.2: Dr. Weiss’ cognitive behaviour orientation

  • Dr. Weiss discusses his cognitive behaviour orientation and approaches.

1.3: The 4 P’s

  • The 4 P’s in case conceptualization:
    • Predisposing: those factors that render an individual vulnerable to a disorder
    • Precipitating: stressors or developmental factors that are associated with the emergence or worsening of symptoms
    • Perpetuating: factors that maintain the disabling symptoms
    • Protective: strengths & assets that may be accessed to promote more healthy adjustment and diminish the severity of symptoms

1.4: Mental health problems in youth with ASD

  • Autism in Canada and B.C.
  • Relevant conceptualizations: Transactions (Wood & Gadow, 2010)

1.5: Interventions

Session 2

2.1: A Social Cognitive Deficit

    • Maladaptive processing of self and about non-social environment
    • Relevant conceptualizations: Information processing focus (Guas, 2007)

2.2: Mental health assessment decision tree

  • Anxiety:
    • Separation anxiety
    • Specific phobias and the five common types

2.3: Diagnostic overshadowing, baseline exaggeration, cognitive disintegration and differentiating mental health

  • Anxiety overview
  • Anxiety In the general population

2.4: Anxiety

  • Behavioral strategies

2.5: Separation anxiety

2.6: Specific phobias and the five common types

Session 3

3.1: Social anxiety disorder

3.2: Panic disorder & Agoraphobia

  • Text here

3.3: Generalized anxiety disorder

3.4: Obsessive compulsive disorder

3.5: Measuring anxiety and OCD

  • Screening tools
  • Functional assessment
  • Dealing with multiple issues
  • Emotion regulation skills

3.6: A transdiagnostic issue of emotion regulation – Part 1

  • Gross & Thompson’s (2004) process model of emotion regulation
    1. Situation selection: The control we exert over the situations we choose to go into
    2. Situation modification: Altering situations to address emotional responses

3.7: A transdiagnostic issue of emotion regulation – Part 2

  • Gross & Thompson’s (2004) process model of emotion regulation
    3. Attentional deployment: How we choose to focus or distance our attention on the emotional aspects of a situation
    4. Cognitive control: Our thoughts about the situation and ability to handle it
    5. Response modulation: Physiological and behavioural ways of regulating emotion once the emotion is felt

Session 4: Panel discussion

4.1: Dr. Kelly Price, Sr. Youth Mental Health Consultant, Child and Youth Mental Health Policy, British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development

4.2: Dr. Georgina Robinson, Principal, Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders, a service of the British Columbia Ministry of Education

4.3: Dr. Grace Iarocci, Professor, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University

4.4: Q&A