autism Archives - News@91亚色 /news/tag/autism/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:27:25 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Understanding how right- or left-hand dominance could open a window into the autistic brain /news/2026/01/19/understanding-right-or-left-hand-dominance-could-open-a-window-into-the-autistic-brain/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:42:36 +0000 /news/?p=23329 Most people take for granted which hand they use to reach for a cup of coffee or a puzzle piece. However, a new study out of 91亚色 suggests that for autistic individuals, which hand they use for various tasks is highly variable, which points to profound differences in the brain.

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A new study out of 91亚色 shows autistic individuals more likely to use both hands

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2026 鈥 Most people take for granted which hand they use to reach for a cup of coffee or a puzzle piece. However, a new study out of 91亚色 suggests that for autistic individuals, which hand they use for various tasks is highly variable, which points to profound differences in the brain.

The research, published today in the journal Autism Research, found that even autistic adults who are right-handed demonstrate a reduced specialization of hand use and more distinctive movement patterns when compared to non-autistic peers.

headshot of prof erez freud

鈥淗andedness is one of the most visible markers of how our brain's left and right hemispheres specialize for different tasks,鈥 says 91亚色 Associate Professor , who conducted the study with lead author and Master鈥檚 student Emily Fewster. 鈥淚n the neurotypical population, about 90 per cent of people show a strong right-hand dominance, reflecting the left hemisphere鈥檚 specialization for fine motor skills. Our study shows that in autism, this specialization is less pronounced, leading to a unique and highly individualized motor signature.鈥

The LEGO Building Task

To observe these behaviours in a real-world context, researchers asked 54 right-handed adults, half with an autism diagnosis, to recreate complex LEGO models. Unlike traditional questionnaires that ask which hand someone uses to write, this naturalistic task allowed researchers to track thousands of dynamic movements in 3D space.

By analyzing how people actually move during the LEGO building task, researchers found that the right-handedness of autistic participants鈥 function quite differently than that of the non-autistic participants. Despite both groups identifying as right-handed, the autistic participants used their right hand much less often for grasping and did not show the typical dominant preference for using their right hand when reaching across their body.

The autistic participants also tended to shrink their workspace by focusing on blocks placed closer to them, suggesting a more cautious or individualized strategy for managing the space around them. In addition, their movements followed highly unique, idiosyncratic paths. While non-autistic participants tended to follow a similar sequence of actions, each autistic participant moved in a distinct, more variable way.

Together, these findings suggest that the autistic brain organizes movement in a less specialized, more variable manner than previously understood.

Implications for Earlier Identification

While the study focuses on brain organization, these "motor signatures" have significant clinical potential. Because motor skills often emerge in infancy, long before the complex communication skills typically used to diagnose autism, identifying these subtle motor differences could open a window for much earlier support.

鈥淪tandard questionnaires often miss these nuances because they don鈥檛 capture the dynamic nature of real-life movement,鈥 says Freud. 鈥淏y looking at how people actually move in a natural setting, we can identify objective markers that might eventually help us provide more tailored support strategies much earlier in development.鈥

The researchers suggest that this "noisy" or variable motor processing supports the theory that autism involves broader, less specialized neural representations across the brain.

About 91亚色

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Sandra McLean, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-272-6317,鈥sandramc@yorku.ca 

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91亚色 experts discuss masking behaviours, involuntary psychiatric care, AI in hiring, baby boomers, bees and more /news/2024/10/18/york-experts-weigh-in-autism-mental-health-ai-jobs-baby-boomers-bees/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:30:47 +0000 /news/?p=21060 91亚色 experts discuss masking behaviours in autistic women that lead to burnout, the downside of involuntary psychiatric care, AI being used the hiring process, baby boomers, and over-reliance on bees.

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Jessica Klein, research assistant at the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Lab, speaks to Verywell Health about how masking behaviours to avoid uncomfortable social situations and stigma leads to long-term burnout for many autistic women. 鈥淎 pretty consistent finding across the board is that many ," says Klein.

Federal and provincial politicians across Canada are discussing ramping up policies that would allow the detention and treatment of addicted and mentally ill people against their will in psychiatric institutions. Professor Marina Morrow, who has , speaks to The Globe and Mail about her findings.

Screenshot via Financial Post

Professor Valerio de Stefano talks to Financial Post about how AI is poised to change the way job vacancies are filled. The main goal of using AI as part of a hiring process is to cut costs. 鈥淩emoving bias is a secondary objective," says De Stefano. 鈥.鈥 It can't be easily removed because software is developed based on past practices. "In order to build any of these programs, you have to have a database and a benchmark that informs how they are going to work," he says. "If that database or data set includes discrimination 鈥 and, historically, we have discrimination in many jobs 鈥 it's not so easy to root out." De Stefano doesn't believe companies are intentionally seeking to discriminate against candidates but says that even with a concerted efffort, removing biases from algorithms can't be done. "The idea that we can use technology as a magic wand to eliminate discrimination is just delusional," he says. "Tech is a reflection of what we do and value."

Discrimination is always going to creep into the ways you build the algorithm

de Stefano speaking to Financial Post

Professor Thomas Klassen speaks with a Toronto Star columnist about how baby boomers benefited 鈥斕齛nd were shaped by 鈥斕齮heir generation's good timing and vast numbers. 鈥溾 says Klassen.

After seasons of forest fires, floods and heat waves, there鈥檚 a real need to build resilient food systems that can withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. But puts all our apples in one basket, Sheila Colla tells The Narwhal. 鈥淲here did the disconnect happen 鈥 why do we all of a sudden value the honeybee as our main pollinator?鈥 Colla asks.

Do you have a new research study or an academic achievement to share? Contact media@yorku.ca with details. For daily 91亚色 in the News highlights, follow on X.

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Father-Son research team makes novel finding /news/2023/11/09/father-son-research-team-makes-novel-finding/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 19:14:17 +0000 /news/?p=18721 The post Father-Son research team makes novel finding appeared first on News@91亚色.

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People with autism less likely to succumb to bystander effect, 91亚色 U father-son research duo finds /news/2023/10/26/people-with-autism-less-likely-to-succumb-to-bystander-effect-york-u-father-son-research-duo-finds/ Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:00:00 +0000 /news/?p=18579 TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2023 鈥 A well-established psychological theory states that most of us are less likely to intervene in a bad situation if other people are present, and this 鈥榖ystander effect鈥 also applies to workplace settings. However, new research led by 91亚色 shows that people with autism are less likely to be affected by this social contagion than neurotypical people. They are less likely to stay silent in the face of gross misconduct or even just everyday mistakes, pointing to the positive aspects of autism and how organizations can benefit from hiring more neurodivergent people, findings reveal.

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Schulich School of Business and Faculty of Health researchers say that while as many as 90 per cent of people with autism are unemployed or underemployed, their study points to the benefits of having neurodivergent people in the workplace

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2023 鈥 A well-established psychological theory states that most of us are less likely to intervene in a bad situation if other people are present, and this 鈥榖ystander effect鈥 also applies to workplace settings. However, shows that people with autism are less likely to be affected by this social contagion than neurotypical people. They are less likely to stay silent in the face of gross misconduct or even just everyday mistakes, pointing to the positive aspects of autism and how organizations can benefit from hiring more neurodivergent people, findings reveal.

Headshot of Lorne Hartman
Lorne Hartman
Headshot of Braxton Hartman
Braxton Hartman

鈥淥ur study shows that to the extent that they would act if they saw something wrong, employees with autism were much more likely to intervene, regardless of the number of people present. And in situations where they would not intervene, they were more likely to identify the influence of others as the reason, whereas neurotypical employees were more reluctant to acknowledge this,鈥 says lead author , an instructor with the Schulich School of Business.

Lorne and his son , a graduate student in the Faculty of Health at 91亚色 who was a collaborator on the study, were inspired to look into this issue not only from their academic experience, but also because of personal experience 鈥 Braxton has autism and has been a public advocate on the issue since he was 12 years old.

鈥淥ne of the motivations here is that a lot of the current literature on autism comes from a deficit mindset. It's basically saying these differences in autism are sort of exclusively negatives. We want to reframe that and ask, 鈥榃hat are ways that some of these differences could actually be an advantage rather than just a negative?鈥欌 says Braxton, whose research also focuses on autism. 鈥淥ne of the core areas that people tend to consider a deficit in autism is in terms of social interaction. We wanted to look at whether this is actually a positive to the extent that people with autism are less influenced by others when it comes to dysfunctional or unethical situations.鈥

Lorne has a background in clinical psychology and his main area of research looks at unethical behaviour in organizations.

鈥淏ut most importantly, in all of these cases, there were hundreds, maybe thousands of people who may not have actually been involved in the wrongdoing, but they should have been aware that it was going on,鈥 he says, summarizing his earlier research. 鈥淪o having people around who are willing to blow the whistle, so to speak, is very important for organizations.鈥

The study was published this week in the October issue of Autism Research and created with collaborators from the University of Toronto. The research participants 鈥 employed individuals, 33 with autism and 34 neurotypical 鈥 were asked to weigh in on hypothetical scenarios involving everything from inefficiencies to inequalities to quality concerns.

While the results are preliminary and more research is needed, the researchers say their work has important practical implications, especially considering that the rates of unemployment and underemployment for people with autism may be as high as 90 per cent, and even if they have higher education, that statistic only drops to 70 per cent.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at this from two angles. One is looking at helping organizations be more ethical and efficient, but also, helping people like myself 鈥 people on the spectrum 鈥 find gainful employment by helping to change the societal understanding of autism,鈥 concludes Braxton.

About 91亚色

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. 91亚色鈥檚 fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario鈥檚 Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations and External Communications, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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World Autism Awareness Day:听From diagnosing autism to parenting, autism experts available /news/2019/04/01/world-autism-day-from-diagnosing-autism-to-parenting-autism-experts-available/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 16:22:55 +0000 http://news.yorku.ca/?p=13318 TORONTO, April 1, 2019 鈥 Every day, thousands of Canadians living with autism and their families face challenges to increase awareness about their needs and experiences. World Autism Awareness Day, on April 2, 2019, provides an opportunity to improve understanding of the issues that surround the autism community. Recent statistics show 1-2% of the Canadian […]

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TORONTO, April 1, 2019 鈥 Every day, thousands of Canadians living with autism and their families face challenges to increase awareness about their needs and experiences. World Autism Awareness Day, on April 2, 2019, provides an opportunity to improve understanding of the issues that surround the autism community.

Recent statistics show , indicating thatare on the autism spectrum. Research can play a big role in understanding the causes and effects of autism and making sure that Canadians who are affected, and their families, receive the best possible support.

The following 91亚色 experts are available to speak about the role of their research in the autism community:

is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Research Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disability Mental Health at 91亚色

He can offer insight on the following:

  • The impact parents have and why parents who are partners in therapy with their children experience improvements in their own depression and emotion regulation
  • The role of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and how it can help children with autism manage not only anxiety but other emotional challenges, such as sadness and anger

Adrienne Perry听is a听professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, at 91亚色.听听She is a听clinical psychologist and board-certified behaviour analyst with over 30 years experience in autism diagnosis, treatment, and research.

She听can offer insight on:

  • How is autism currently assessed and diagnosed?
  • Why is autism considered a "spectrum" and how does it relate to developmental disabilities?
  • How is the well-being of parents of children with autism affected?
  • What current research shows about the evidence-base for applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and听intensive behavioural intervention (IBI)

91亚色 champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥 our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.
91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:

Anjum Nayyar, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 44543,听anayyar@yorku.ca

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Study shows cognitive behavioural therapy can improve emotion regulation in children with autism /news/2018/04/24/new-study-shows-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-can-improve-emotion-regulation-in-children-with-autism/ Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:07:21 +0000 http://news.yorku.ca/?p=12052 TORONTO, Tuesday, April 24, 2018鈥 New research from 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Health shows cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help children with autism manage not only anxiety but other emotional challenges, such as sadness and anger. Led by Jonathan Weiss, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and CIHR Chair in Autism […]

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TORONTO, Tuesday, April 24, 2018鈥 New research from 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Health shows cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help children with autism manage not only anxiety but other emotional challenges, such as sadness and anger.

Led by Jonathan Weiss, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and CIHR Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research, the study shows CBT can lead to significant improvements in children鈥檚 emotional regulation.听 It also shows 鈥 for the first time 鈥 that CBT can improve more than just anxiety.

This is the first transdiagnostic CBT trial for children with autism, employing a randomized controlled trial.

Approximately 70 per cent of children with autism will struggle with some form of emotional challenge. About half of these children will struggle with anxiety and another 25 to 40 per cent will struggle with other emotional challenges such as anger or depression. In fact, there is a high co-occurrence among these conditions.

鈥淲e can use this same intervention to improve children鈥檚 skills more broadly regardless of what emotional challenge they have,鈥 says Weiss. 鈥淲e can make them more resilient to many emotional and mental health issues.鈥

Sixty-eight children from 8 to 12 years of age and their parents, mostly mothers, participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: one group receiving 10 sessions beginning right away and another group waiting to receive treatment later. Researchers tracked how their emotions and behaviour changed prior to and after treatment.

鈥淲e showed that children who received this treatment right away improved in their ability to manage their emotions, and in overall mental health problems, versus kids who were waiting for treatment,鈥 says Weiss.

A clinician who was not involved in the direct provision of the treatment and did not know if children were in the treatment or waitlist group rated 74% of children receiving treatment as improved, compared to only 31% of those in the waitlist group.

The treatment consisted of time-limited spy-themed cognitive behavioural therapy involving a computer program, games and tools to help build the child鈥檚 emotional toolkit. The tools help children face situations that may have previously been challenging, head-on and in a more supportive way. During the intervention, parents also practice what they are learning with their children and serve as co-therapists in the therapy sessions.

鈥淲e believe that children grow and develop and improve within the context of healthy families and this intervention aids to help the family unit more broadly to be the agent of change.鈥

Researchers are now looking at how this intervention can be used for other neurodevelopmental conditions that often overlap with autism, such as ADHD.

This study was funded by the听CIHR Chair in ASD Treatment and Care Research, in partnership with Health Canada, Kids Brain Health Network, Autism Speaks Canada, the Sinneave Family Foundation, and the Canadian ASD Alliance with additional funding from 91亚色.

The study is published in

Media contact: Anjum Nayyar, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 44543听anayyar@yorku.ca

91亚色 champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥 our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.

91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

 

 

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91亚色 U research identifies effects of cognitive behaviour therapy on parents of children with autism /news/2017/08/01/york-u-research-identifies-effects-cognitive-behaviour-therapy-parents-of-children-with-autism/ Tue, 01 Aug 2017 15:37:47 +0000 http://news.yorku.ca/?p=10717 Study shows when parents are partners in therapy with children, they experience improvements in their own depression, emotion regulation TORONTO, August 1, 2017听鈥 Parents of children with autism experience a greater impact from their child鈥檚 therapy than once thought, according to new research out of 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Health. Jonathan Weiss, Associate Professor in […]

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Study shows when parents are partners in therapy with children, they experience improvements in their own depression, emotion regulation

TORONTO, August 1, 2017听鈥 Parents of children with autism experience a greater impact from their child鈥檚 therapy than once thought, according to new research out of 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Health.

, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and CIHR Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Treatment and Care Research, discovered that parents who participate in cognitive therapy with their children with autism also experience a real benefit that improves the family experience.

Approximately 70 per cent of children with autism struggle with emotional or behavioural problems, and may benefit from cognitive behaviour therapy to improve their ability to manage their emotions.

鈥淢ost of the time when parents bring in their kids for cognitive behaviour therapy, they are in a separate room learning what their children are doing, and are not being co-therapists,鈥漵aid Weiss. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 unique about what we studied is what happens when parents are partners in the process from start to finish. Increasingly we know that it鈥檚 helpful for kids with autism, specifically, and now we have proven that it鈥檚 helpful for their parents too.鈥

Parents who took part in the study were involved in a randomized controlled trial. They were asked to complete surveys before and after the treatment and were compared to parents who had not begun therapy.

Weiss and Ph.D student Andrea Maughan, examined changes in parent mental health, mindfulness, and perceptions of their children, during a trial of cognitive behaviour therapy for 57 children with ASD aged 8-12 who did not have an intellectual disability. The study, published in the , showed that parents who participated in cognitive therapy with their children, experienced improvements in their own depression, emotion regulation, and mindful parenting.

鈥淭he research showed that parents improved their abilities to handle their own emotions and to see themselves in a more positive light,鈥漵aid Weiss. 鈥淚t helped them to become more aware of their parenting and all of the good they do as parents.鈥

In the study, parents were co-therapists with their child鈥檚 therapist and were tasked with employing the same strategies alongside their children. This allowed the parents to learn to help themselves in the process. Parents were required to write down their children鈥檚 thoughts during activities.

鈥淎s a parent participating in the SAS:OR Program, I have grown as much as my son did. I used to use a 鈥渙ne size fits all鈥漵trategy with my son 鈥搉ow he and I have many tools to manage through difficult moments,鈥漵aid Jessica Jannarone, a parent involved in study. 鈥淭he ability to talk about our feelings, identify triggers, and think proactively about approaches has brought both positivity and comfort to our lives. Watching my son develop in this program and find a way to start handling his feelings has been the greatest gift of all.鈥

Weiss added the findings also speak to the importance for health care providers to involve parents in the process of delivering care to children with autism.

鈥淲e know parents of children with autism, in addition to all the positive experiences they have, also experience high levels of distress. So if we can do something to reduce that, we have a responsibility to try to do so.鈥

Watch an interview with parent involved in study talk about her experience with her son:

Interviews with parents and Professor Jonathan Weiss are available.

91亚色 is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥搊ur 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contacts:

Anjum Nayyar, mailto:anayyar@yorku.caanayyar@yorku.ca /416.736.2100 ext. 44543

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91亚色 U Autism Researcher Co-Author on Recommendations Report for Ontario Autism Program /news/2017/03/31/leading-york-u-autism-researcher-co-author-recommendations-report-ontario-autism-program/ Fri, 31 Mar 2017 17:23:25 +0000 http://news.yorku.ca/?p=10317 Toronto, March 31, 2017 鈥 In June 2017, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services will be launching the new Ontario Autism Program to help individuals with autism access quality services that they deserve. The Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA) assembled a group of behaviour analysts with prominent research and practice expertise, including 91亚色 […]

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Toronto, March 31, 2017 鈥 In June 2017, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services will be launching the new to help individuals with autism access quality services that they deserve. The Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA) assembled a group of behaviour analysts with prominent research and practice expertise, including 91亚色 Faculty of Health鈥檚 professor, Adrienne Perry. This expert committee today released a comprehensive scientific on Evidence-Based Practices for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This report emphasizes:

  • Individuals with autism have the right to receive effective, individualized, evidence-based intervention across their lifespan.
  • Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is the gold standard evidence-based intervention for individuals with ASD.
  • The type, intensity, and duration of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) interventions for individuals with autism should be based on need to maximize the individual鈥檚 success.
  • Individuals with autism receiving services and their families should be partners in decision-making throughout intervention.

This scientific report was informed by over 2,000 studies and existing practice guidelines from several professional international behaviour analytic organizations. It is intended to help answer critical questions being posed by parents, professionals, and government on how services should be provided for children and youth with autism in Ontario. Specifically, it addresses intensity and duration of services, how the individual鈥檚 age impacts clinical decision-making, and how services should be planned, implemented, supervised, and monitored.

鈥淐hildren and people may need a variety of different kinds of interventions to help them develop communication skills social skills, play skills etc. in order to learn new things and also to reduce some of the problem behaviours that go along with autism,鈥 said Adrienne Perry, professor in the department of psychology in the faculty of health at 91亚色. 鈥淎pplied behaviour analysis (ABA) and all of the many different forms of it are very effective for both teaching skills across a wide variety of developmental areas and also reducing behavioural challenges. We鈥檝e presented the research in terms of what works for different ages and different developmental areas.鈥

鈥淭here is overwhelming evidence that ABA interventions can dramatically improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families鈥 said Louis Busch, President of ONTABA. 鈥淚ndividuals with autism should be able to access high quality individualized ABA interventions as needed throughout their life. In addition to advocating for quick access to high quality individualized behaviour analytic services, we are concerned that children and families are protected from false or misleading claims about effective treatments and from unqualified practitioners.鈥

The report says early intervention with ABA is key right from the beginning.

鈥淚n addition to intensive behavioural intervention, which is a form of ABA intervention typically prescribed for younger children and targets a comprehensive range of goals in all developmental areas (typically for 30-40 hours per week), we鈥檝e emphasised in this report the large body of research about "Focussed ABA interventions", said Perry. 鈥淔ocused ABA interventions are more specific evidence-based practices which target one or a few goals in a more time-limited manner, perhaps for 10-25 hours per week, and听which are applicable for individuals of all ages.鈥

鈥淲e sincerely hope the information in this report will be helpful in very practical ways to families and practitioners as they try to make the best decisions for their children and their clients. We also hope this information will help policy makers use public dollars most effectively to meet the needs of this vulnerable population鈥 said Dr. Julie Koudys, Chair of the Expert Committee.

The collective efforts of professionals, parents, and policy makers working in concert have the power to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism and their families. To this end, ONTABA adds its voice to the dialogue about what is needed for the treatment of individuals with autism. ONTABA remains committed to working with families, practitioners, and policy makers to ensure the provision of the most effective treatment, which is the ethical and effective application of behaviour analysis in Ontario.

For more information on about this report, visit .

is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥 our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

is the largest professional organization representing behaviour analysts in Canada. We serve as a resource for practitioners and consumers of behaviour analytic services, a respected community partner, and a dedicated advocate for individuals in need of life-changing behaviour analytic services. Our mission is to demonstrate leadership, knowledge, and innovation in education, training, and research for the ethical and effective application of behaviour analysis.

Media Contacts:
Anjum Nayyar, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 44543 anayyar@yorku.ca

Nancy Marchese, Expert Committee Member, 416-889-7572, nancy@breakthroughautism.com

The post 91亚色 U Autism Researcher Co-Author on Recommendations Report for Ontario Autism Program appeared first on News@91亚色.

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World Autism Day: Leading 91亚色 U Experts Available /news/2017/03/30/world-autism-day-leading-york-u-experts-available/ Thu, 30 Mar 2017 21:54:41 +0000 http://news.yorku.ca/?p=10305 TORONTO, March 30, 2017 鈥 There have been a number of conversations in the autism community about greater access to direct supports for families and the experience of both children and parents or caregivers.听 World Autism Day is on April 2, 2017 and this year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淭oward Autonomy and Self-Determination鈥. The following 91亚色 U […]

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TORONTO, March 30, 2017 鈥 There have been a number of conversations in the autism community about greater access to direct supports for families and the experience of both children and parents or caregivers.听 World Autism Day is on April 2, 2017 and this year鈥檚 theme is

The following 91亚色 U experts are available for interviews:

Jonathan Weiss AutismJonathan Weiss is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and CIHR Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Treatment and Care Research. He can offer insight on the following:
路听听 听How can stressors like bullying impact mental health problems in those with ASD etc.?
路听听 听How do people with ASD fare in mental health outcomes and access mental health care in Ontario
路听听 听What is the experience of caregivers and where are the gaps in support?

James Bebko is a professor in Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health at 91亚色 and a registered psychologist who heads up 91亚色鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Learning Projects Lab.

James Bebko

He can offer insight on:
路听听 听What are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and what are the implications of early detection and intervention?
路听听 听How do children with autism attend to and make sense of information coming from different sensory systems (e.g.: visual and auditory)

 

Adrienne Perry is a professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, at 91亚色. She is actively involved in Ontario-based organizations related to autism.

She听 can offer insight on:
路听听 听How is autism currently assessed and diagnosed?
路听听 听How is the well-being of parents of young children with autism affected?
路听听 听What are the family impacts, stress and ways to cope?

 

91亚色 is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥 our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact: Anjum Nayyar, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 44543 anayyar@yorku.ca

The post World Autism Day: Leading 91亚色 U Experts Available appeared first on News@91亚色.

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