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Educating Gifted Students with Asperger's Syndrome: A Case Study of Three Students and Their Classroom Experiences
Title
Educating Gifted Students with Asperger's Syndrome: A Case Study of Three Students and Their Classroom Experiences.
Creator
Horn, Beverly, Gill, Michele, Eriksson, Gillian, Pearl, Cynthia, Nye, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Much research has focused on students with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), and much research has also been done on gifted students with special needs, yet very little has been published that looks at the characteristics of students who have been identified as both Gifted and as having Asperger Syndrome (G/AS), and what teachers are doing in the classroom to meet their needs. This is an important topic because this group of twice exceptional students has characteristics of both exceptionalities, and...
Show moreMuch research has focused on students with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), and much research has also been done on gifted students with special needs, yet very little has been published that looks at the characteristics of students who have been identified as both Gifted and as having Asperger Syndrome (G/AS), and what teachers are doing in the classroom to meet their needs. This is an important topic because this group of twice exceptional students has characteristics of both exceptionalities, and trying to meet the special needs of both groups in the same classroom would likely be a challenge for the teacher. Without understanding what these students are like, and how classroom teachers are trying to meet the needs of this special population, little can be recommended that will help the students succeed. This study examined the academic, social, and behavioral characteristics of three students with G/AS through observations and interviews of students, as well as interviews of their teachers and parents, and records reviews. Using an individual case study approach, information was gathered that was designed to understand the behaviors of specific students with G/AS and what their teachers were doing to meet their needs. By examining characteristics of students with G/AS and their teachers' practices, information pertinent to an improved understanding of the varying profiles of students with G/AS can be described that may improve decision making and planning when attempting to meet the needs of this population of students.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004188, ucf:48987
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004188
THE EFFECTS OF A MODIFIED LEARNING STRATEGY ON THE MULTIPLE STEP MATHEMATICAL WORD PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM OR ASPERGER'S SYNDROME
Title
THE EFFECTS OF A MODIFIED LEARNING STRATEGY ON THE MULTIPLE STEP MATHEMATICAL WORD PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM OR ASPERGER'S SYNDROME.
Creator
Schaefer Whitby, Peggy, Wienke, Wilfred, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Students with HFA/AS present with a unique set of cognitive deficits that may prevent achievement in the mathematics curriculum, even though they present with average mathematical skills. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of a modified learning strategy to increase the mathematical word problem solving ability of children with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome; determine if the use of Solve It! increases the self-perceptions...
Show moreStudents with HFA/AS present with a unique set of cognitive deficits that may prevent achievement in the mathematics curriculum, even though they present with average mathematical skills. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of a modified learning strategy to increase the mathematical word problem solving ability of children with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome; determine if the use of Solve It! increases the self-perceptions of mathematical ability, attitudes towards mathematics and attitudes towards solving mathematical word problems; and, determine if Solve It! cue cards or a Solve It! multimedia academic story works best as a prime to increase the percentage correct if the student does not maintain use of the strategy. The subjects were recruited from a central Florida school district. Diagnosis of ASD was confirmed by a review of records and the completion of the Autism Diagnostic Inventory-Revised (Lord, Rutter, & Le Couteur, 2005). Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement (Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001) subtest scores for reading comprehension and mathematical computation were completed to identify the current level of functioning. The Mathematical Problem Solving Assessment- Short Form (Montague, 1996) was administered to determine the need for word problem solving intervention. The subjects were then taught a mathematical word problem solving strategy called Solve It!, during non-content course time at their schools. Generalization data were collected in each subject's regular education mathematics classroom. Sessions were video-taped, work samples were scored, and then graphed using a multiple baseline format. Three weeks after the completion of the study, maintenance data were collected. If subjects did not maintain a high use of the strategy, they were entered into the second study to determine if a video prime or written prime served best to increase word problem solving. The results of the study indicate a functional relationship between the use of the Solve It! strategy and the percentage correct on curriculum based mathematical word problems. The subjects obtained efficient use of strategy use in five training sessions and applied the strategy successfully for five acquisition sessions. Percentage correct on mathematical word problems ranged from 20% during baseline to 100% during training and acquisition trials. Error analysis indicated reading comprehension interference and probable executive functioning interference. Students who did not maintain strategy use quickly returned to intervention level using a prime. Both primes, cue cards and multimedia academic story, increased performance back to intervention levels for two students. However, one prime, the multimedia academic story and not the cue cards, increased performance back to intervention levels for one student. Findings of this study show the utility of a modified learning strategy to increase mathematical word problem solving for students with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Results suggest that priming is a viable intervention if students with autism do not maintain or generalize strategy use as a means of procedural facilitation.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002732, ucf:48151
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002732
SELF-DETERMINATION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Title
SELF-DETERMINATION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME: A QUALITATIVE STUDY.
Creator
Szentmiklosi, Jillian, Cintron, Rosa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This qualitative research study investigated the self-determination of community college students diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (AS). Varying levels of self-determination were displayed within each of the five participants. However, despite the unique characteristics and experiences of the participants, five major and two minor themes related to the collegial experiences of these students were revealed. The major themes highlighted were that community college students with AS (a)...
Show moreThis qualitative research study investigated the self-determination of community college students diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (AS). Varying levels of self-determination were displayed within each of the five participants. However, despite the unique characteristics and experiences of the participants, five major and two minor themes related to the collegial experiences of these students were revealed. The major themes highlighted were that community college students with AS (a) enjoyed academic success, (b) found disability services and accommodations important, (c) chose majors based on personal interests, (d) relied on family members for support, and (e) had difficulty developing social connections on campus. The minor themes related to the particular importance of faculty and attendance at a community college to some of the students.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002880, ucf:48030
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002880
Effects of a Reading Inference Strategy Intervention on the Reading and Social Inference Abilities of Adults with Asperger Syndrome
Title
Effects of a Reading Inference Strategy Intervention on the Reading and Social Inference Abilities of Adults with Asperger Syndrome.
Creator
Murza, Kimberly, Nye, William, Ehren, Barbara, Schwartz, Jamie, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The ability to generate inferences is a skill that is necessary to fully comprehend a text and understand the intentions, behaviors, and emotions of a conversational partner. Individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) have been shown to demonstrate significant difficulty in inference generation in both social contexts and in reading comprehension. Although, the reciprocity of the four components of literacy (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) has been established in the literature ...
Show moreThe ability to generate inferences is a skill that is necessary to fully comprehend a text and understand the intentions, behaviors, and emotions of a conversational partner. Individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) have been shown to demonstrate significant difficulty in inference generation in both social contexts and in reading comprehension. Although, the reciprocity of the four components of literacy (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) has been established in the literature (Bradley (&) Bryant, 1983; Catts (&) Kamhi, 2005; Englert (&) Thomas, 1987; Gillon (&) Dodd, 1995; Hiebert, 1980; Kroll, 1981; Ruddell (&) Ruddell, 1994); the relationship between inference generation in reading and social inference generation is not well understood. The present study investigated the efficacy of a language-focused reading inference strategy intervention (ACT (&) Check Strategy) on the general reading comprehension, inference generation in reading, social inference, and metacognitive ability of adults with AS. Twenty-five adults with AS were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a control group. The treatment group participants were divided into groups of 3-4 based on their availability and preferred location for treatment resulting in a total of 4 groups. Each group met in one-hour sessions twice a week for a total of six weeks. When controlling for pretest scores, the treatment group was found to perform significantly better on one measure of inference generation in reading and metacognitive ability compared to the control group. Significant differences between groups were not found in two measures of inference generation in reading comprehension or social inference ability. These findings suggest that the ACT (&) Check strategy was effective in improving participants' ability to generate inferences as they read and their metacognitive reading ability. However, instruction in inference generation in reading does not appear to generalize to other language modalities (i.e., social inference generation). This research provides support for an explicit language-focused strategy intervention addressing the reading inference deficit area. Further research is warranted to investigate potential interventions to address social inference skills for individuals with AS.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004146, ucf:49045
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004146
A COMPARISON OF STIMULI PRESENTATION IN ADVANCED THEORY OF MIND TASKS FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME (AS)
Title
A COMPARISON OF STIMULI PRESENTATION IN ADVANCED THEORY OF MIND TASKS FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME (AS).
Creator
Leon, Juliet, Schwartz, Jamie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Individuals diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) have marked impairments in social interaction, including difficulty expressing and perceiving thoughts, emotions, and intentions. This deficit may be due in part to a delayed or underdeveloped Theory of Mind (ToM). The previous research investigating ToM in individuals with AS has been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to compare three Theory of Mind (ToM) tasks, presented via three different modalities, to evaluate the recognition...
Show moreIndividuals diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) have marked impairments in social interaction, including difficulty expressing and perceiving thoughts, emotions, and intentions. This deficit may be due in part to a delayed or underdeveloped Theory of Mind (ToM). The previous research investigating ToM in individuals with AS has been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to compare three Theory of Mind (ToM) tasks, presented via three different modalities, to evaluate the recognition of complex emotions and mental states in adolescents with AS compared to typically developing adolescents. Participants in this study included twenty adolescents: 10 adolescents with AS and 10 typically developing adolescents matched by age and gender. Participants were administered three ToM tasks differing in mode of stimuli presentation: a visual mentalizing (VM) task; an auditory mentalizing (AM) task; and, a visual+auditory mentalizing (VAM) task. . Results were analyzed utilizing a factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA). No significant difference was found between the groups overall, or between the groups by task. A pairwise analysis of the data revealed non-significant differences between visual only (VM) compared to auditory only (AM) presentation of stimuli; however significant differences were found between visual only (VM) stimuli compared to the combination of visual + auditory (VAM) stimuli, and between auditory only (AM) stimuli compared to the combination of visual + auditory (VAM) stimuli. These results indicated that the recognition of complex emotions and mental states increased when the stimuli were presented through the combined visual and auditory channels. Clinical implications of these findings were discussed. Recommendations were made for future research investigating ToM in individuals with AS.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0003714, ucf:48800
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003714
GRADUATED STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND THEIR PARENTS: LIVED EXPERIENCES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Title
GRADUATED STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND THEIR PARENTS: LIVED EXPERIENCES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL.
Creator
Uhle, Karen, Martin, Suzanne, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
ABSTRACT With a dramatic increase in the prevalence of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including those with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome, educators are challenged to meet the educational needs of a complex and widely diverse group of exceptional learners. The focus of this research was to gain insight into the experiences of the graduated student with autism and his/her parent(s) during the student's time in public school. This study had three research...
Show moreABSTRACT With a dramatic increase in the prevalence of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including those with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome, educators are challenged to meet the educational needs of a complex and widely diverse group of exceptional learners. The focus of this research was to gain insight into the experiences of the graduated student with autism and his/her parent(s) during the student's time in public school. This study had three research questions: 1) What were the lived experiences of students with ASD who graduated from an urban public high school in the southeast United States?; 2) What were the lived experiences of the parents of the graduated students with ASD?; and, 3) Were there common themes between the graduated students' lived experiences and the parent's lived experiences? Five graduated students and their parents were interviewed in this qualitative, phenomenological study. Explicitation of the interview data identified three themes for the graduated student group: a) challenges with learning due to having an ASD; b) difficulty making friends; and, c) involvement in their educational process. Four themes were present in the parent group: a) challenges with learning due to having an ASD; b) difficulty making friends; c) establishment of a relationship with the school; and, d) preparation for post-secondary experiences. The graduated student group agreed with the parent group on 16 of the 20 interview questions. Responses for each graduated student were compared to the responses of his/her own parent(s). Recommendations were made for future research.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0003719, ucf:48801
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003719