Category Archives: Autism Videos at ACT

The Invention and Reinvention of Autism: Researching ASD Across Cultures

from ACT’s 12th Annual Focus on Research

Filmed April 15th, 2016

In this lecture, based on research in South Korea, India, South Africa, and among Korean-American and African-American communities in the United States, anthropologist Roy R. Grinker addresses three questions relevant to research on Autism Spectrum Disorder:

1) What does it mean to say that a phenomenon is “cultural?”

2) What are the cross-cultural commonalities and differences in how autism is defined and treated?

3) What kinds of cross-cultural research can have an impact on early detection and intervention?

He will also discuss science as a cultural formation that promotes and constrains scientific and popular definitions of ASD, epidemiological research on ASD, and the social movement to refigure autism as ability instead of disability. 

Dr. Roy Richard Grinker, Professor of Anthropology, International Affairs, and Human Sciences at George Washington University. Author of Unstrange Minds –Remapping the World of Autism.

Part 1.1: The Role of Culture in ASD

 Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism by Roy Richard Grinker: http://www.actcommunity.ca/resource/151/

Part 1.2: Cultural Perspectives

Part 1.3: Autism as Cultural Construct 

Part 2.1: What is Culture/Cultural Variations in Behavior 

Part 2.2: Translation and Adaptation

Autism Speaks 100 Days Kits – Korean

Part 2.3: Mobilizing Community Systems for Intervention

Presentation: Mobilizing Community Systems to Tackle Challenges of Early Detection of ASD in Underserved Populations

Definition: Structural Violence

Strategies for attaining recognition:
1. Go to other service providers
2. Find counter-authority (SLPs for example)
3. Counter powerlessness with power (resistance)          

Part 2.4: South Korea – Some Examples

Part 2.5: Neurodiversity

Part 2.6: Q&A

  • Q: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Q: How do we get past the barrier of autism as stigmatizing?
  • Q: don’t you have to believe that the system will help to accept a diagnosis?
  • Q: What is approach of families with children with significant challenges, where diagnosis cannot be denied?
  • Q: How can we go back to our own communities to expose challenges and assumptions to help our own communities
  • Q:  Will trajectory of autism continue to increase?
  • Q: In countries where services available, are children over-diagnosed in order to receive services?

Transitioning from High School to Work: Preparing Students with Autism for Adulthood

Filmed in 2009 – edited into 4 parts; total 239 minutes

Why Focus on Transition to Adulthood? Although the emphasis on transition from high school to work officially begins in Grade 10 and continues until graduation, in reality, the process should begin much earlier for students with ASD. Attitudes toward work combined with decisions we make for students can significantly influence the path they may choose to follow. This video defines the roles and responsibilities for individuals supporting students as they mature with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including parents, and provides participants with information and strategies which help promote meaningful participation for students with ASD in the work world. The importance of developing and maintaining career portfolios is also explored.

About the Presenter

Vicki Lundine is a District Career Facilitator for the Campbell River School District on Vancouver Island. She taught for 20 years and has spent the last 10 years as a career counselor. Her passion and enthusiasm for finding great placements for her students is infectious! Catherine Smith is an Educational and Behavioral Consultant for the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders. As a Learning Assistance Teacher, District Integration Support Teacher and Provincial Consultant, she has worked collaboratively with parents and professionals to support students with ASD for over 20 years. Vicki Lundine and Catherine Smith are the authors of Career Training and Personal Planning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders – A Practical Resource for Schools. Published by Jessica Kingsley Press in 2006, this book provides important information for parents and school professionals.

Part 1: Introduction to Transitions (61:34)

Part 2: The Role of the School Team (66:07)

Part 3: Work Experience (68:08)

Part 4: Career Portfolios (43:24)

 

Understanding the Decision Making Process of Parents Who Choose Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Their Children with ASD

Filmed April 2013 – edited into 3 parts; total 60 minutes

This presentation summarizes the results of a study that explored the decision-making processes of 15 families who decided to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies with their children with ASD. Parents’ decisions were influenced by numerous factors, including their beliefs about the cause of autism, anecdotal reports from other parents, guilt, the cost of treatments, fit for each family, and parental intuition. The results of this study have implications regarding the types of information and decision-making supports required by families of children with ASD for the promotion of family-centred care and a shared decision-making approach to treatment selection.

Part 1: Background of the Research (12:41)

Part 2: Findings on the Decision Making Process (25:56)

Part 3: Disenfranchisement and Q&A (21:32)

Building Capacity: Teaching Community Service Providers to Implement Positive Behavior Support in a Family Setting

Filmed April 2013 – edited into 5 parts; total 65 minutes

This video reviews the results of a study that focused on the application of positive behaviour supports (PBS) with a deaf child who was also diagnosed with ASD and cerebral palsy. The content will focus on the basic elements of PBS, the generalization of assessment and intervention skills from a training to an intervention setting, and the impact of PBS on the target child and his family. The workshop will be relevant for anyone working with individuals with ASD who engage in problem behavior, regardless of their hearing status.

About the Presenter

Brenda Fossett is an inspired teacher who is widely admired for her ability to convey complex concepts to those who work with children and adults with diverse needs, whether they are educational professionals or parent. Dr. Fossett has been on faculty in the Applied Behavior Analysis – Autism Department at Capilano University since 2013. Prior to that she was Assistant Professor (Special Education) in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. She is also a certified teacher of the deaf, as well as being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Fossett has extensive clinical experience providing behavioral/educational consultative services to children with ASD, deafness, and other developmental disabilities in home, school, and community settings. Her scholarly and clinical interests include: applied behavior analysis, the implementation of positive behavior support in home and school settings, and educational interventions for deaf children with developmental disabilities. For more information on Dr. Fossett see Capilano University ABA Diploma

Part 1: Background of the Research (10:54)

Part 2: Case Study Routines and Baseline (12:30)

Part 3: Videos of bath and computer routines & strategies applied (19:55)

Part 4: Videos of Dinner Routine and Strategies Applied (15:05)

Part 5: Summary of Results (6:36)

Education, Integration, Inclusion

Filmed October 2011 – edited into 4 parts; total 129 minutes

Key Information for Parents of Children with Diverse Needs

This video reviews the important sections of the B.C. School Act and documents issued by the B.C. Ministry of Education. The information will increase understanding of how to become an effective advocate and is relevant for children with a range of abilities and skills from kindergarten to school completion. You will receive tools to collaborate with school personnel to develop an appropriate educational program that considers the unique needs and abilities of the child, regardless of diagnosis

This video includes links to:

  • Important resources such as the laws and guidelines that Dr. Jacobsen refers to
  • Forms to help you prepare for and keep records of meetings
  • Glossary of terms
  • Sample IEPs

About the Presenter

Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen is well known to professionals and parents across BC for her exceptional range of expertise as a diagnostician, educator, psychologist and behavior consultant. She has lectured across North America and in Asia on various aspects of autism treatment. A registered psychologist and certified teacher, Dr. Jacobsen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a certification that is becoming increasingly valued in the autism field. Her mentor is Dr. Vincent Carbone and she is particularly interested in how the Verbal Behavior approach to Applied Behavior Analysis can be used in high quality, cost-effective autism treatment programs. Dr. Jacobsen is Clinical Director of ABA Learning Centre. She is a member of the Advisory Council of ACT.

Part 1: Autism in the School System (1:09:43)

Part 2: Understanding the Student with ASD (1:15:03)

Part 3: Working Collaboratively (1:12:49)

Part 4: Know your Child’s Rights: Being an Advocate (58:34)