The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) would facilitate the recording of homework by an adolescent boy with Asperger syndrome (AS). A multiple-baseline-across-settings design was used in the student's history, English, and science classes to determine the accuracy with which he recorded (a)…

This position statement from the Critical Issues Committee of the Developmental Disabilities Division of the Council for Exceptional Children focuses on clarifying the place of autism spectrum disorders within the field of developmental disabilities. The representation of concerns relating to autism spectrum disorders by the Developmental…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Power Card Strategy in teaching sportsmanship skills to a 10-year-old girl with autism. The strategy incorporates special interests to teach and reinforce academic, behavior, and social skills. The strategy was effective in teaching sportsmanship skills and the behavioral generalized across multiple…

A study examined the reading performance of 16 individuals (ages 6-16) with Asperger syndrome. The Classroom Reading Inventory found students exhibited reading levels commensurate with their grade levels on Instructional, Frustration, and Listening Capacity. Silent Reading and Independent Reading levels, however, were below grade level. (Contains…

This article describes characteristics of Asperger syndrome (AS) and the syndrome's impact in the home, school, and community. Social, behavioral and emotional, cognitive, academic, sensory, and motor characteristics of students with AS are reviewed. The restricted range of interests students with AS have is discussed. (Contains references.)…

A study focused on identifying the academic characteristics of 21 children and youth who have Asperger syndrome. Students had an extraordinary range of academic achievement scores, extending from significantly above average to far below grade level. Lowest achievement scores were shown for numerical operations, listening comprehension, and written…

A study investigated the effectiveness of an 8-week social skills intervention targeting nonverbal communication for eight adolescents with Asperger syndrome. Although minimal nonverbal communication skills development was apparent, some social relationships were developed and the ability of some participants to read the nonverbal communication of…

Results are reported of an analysis of Wechsler IQ scores of 37 children (ages 3-14) with Asperger syndrome. Data revealed cognitive patterns dissimilar to those of children with other autism related disorders and similar to many typically developing and achieving individuals.. Findings are discussed in reference to identification and intervention…

Visual supports were used to help two boys with autism of elementary school age to transition from one activity to another. A significant decrease in the latency between the time the students were given instructions and the time they began the next activity occurred when the visual supports were used. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study analyzed the acquisition of communicative functions and means in 15 children and youth with autism over a one-year period. Participants made advances in skills development in both functions and means. Functions appeared to follow a developmental sequence from behavior regulation to social integration to joint attention. (Author/CR)

This study developed an intervention that used social stories in a computer-based format with three elementary-aged boys with autism. Results indicated the multimedia intervention was effective in reducing behavioral and social problems in the boys. (Author/DB)

This case study analyzed effects of priming in introducing toilet training to a 3-year-old boy with autism. Using an ABAB design, analysis found an increase in initiation of toilet use and a decrease in wet diapers when priming was used. (Author/DB)

A survey of 133 teachers and related service professionals working with students with autism, found that they believed students with mild autism were far more appropriate for participation in district-wide testing. Even though respondents identified minimally necessary accommodations, they were relatively conservative in what they were willing to…

A study investigated the impact of rhythmic entrainment on an 11-year-old girl with autism who engaged in head jerking and screaming. Rhythmic entrainment intervention was more effective when she exhibited behavior that resulted from a moderate level of stress and less effective when stressors were more severe. (CR)

A study involving a 12-year-old boy with autism, Fragile X syndrome, and intermittent explosive disorder, analyzed the effects of social stories in reducing precursors to tantrum behavior during morning work time and lunchtime. Results indicated a decrease in precursors to tantrums when the social stories were available to the student. (Author/CR)