Tools From UNC & ARI to Support Individuals with Autism During COVID-19
With more than 90% of all Americans currently under stay at home orders due to COVID-19, families are rapidly adapting to a highly unusual way of living. Almost everyone’s schedule has been disrupted. Students are now attending classes over the internet. Parents are working from home. Gym classes and social engagements take place over Zoom. Even medical appointments are occurring remotely through telehealth and telemedicine technology.
Robots Could Improve Socialization Skills for Children with Autism
A small robot, shaped like a bird, is perched on a desk in front of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While the child plays math games on a tablet, the friendly bird provides instruction and feedback–essentially coaching the child until each computer game is completed. This scenario is not a new plot line from an upcoming science fiction film.
Autism & Sleep Troubles
A recent article has highlighted the agony of sleep problems for individuals with autism. The two most common issues are insomnia and diminished time spent in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage. The insomnia people with autism experience not only makes it difficult to fall asleep but it also makes it a challenge to stay asleep. People with autism face challenges with REM sleep as well. The general population spends about 23 percent of their sleep in the REM cycle. People with autism only spend 15 percent, making their sleep less restorative. Lower quality sleep can lead to poor social skills, more severe repetitive behaviors and lower scores on IQ tests.
As Coronavirus Curtails School and Therapy, Parents Can Turn to Exercise Instead
Researchers in China reviewed the science literature from the U.S. and other countries to compile a meta-analysis of the effects of exercise on children and adolescents with diagnosed autism. “The results of the meta-analysis show that physical activity had a significant positive impact on social interaction ability, communication ability, motor skills, and autism degree of autistic children as well as the social skills and communication skills of autistic adolescents,” state the authors. “On the other hand, physical activity had no significant effect on the stereotyped behavior of autistic children and adolescents.”
April is World Autism Month
Maryland Legislative Effort Could Bring Positive Change for Autism Services – In remembrance of April’s World Autism Month, SafeMinds Shares highlights a legislative effort which could bring positive change in addressing the autism crisis. In 2 years, the prevalence of autism has grown 10% and now affects 1 in 54 children.
Socioeconomic & Racial Divide in Autism Numbers
A startling new study out of the University of Colorado Boulder exposed an unexpected trend. Autism rates are escalating for African American and Hispanic families as well as economically disadvantaged families, while the rates for wealthy Caucasian families have declined.
