Sensorimotor Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An evaluation of potential mechanisms.

This thesis examined the aetiology of sensorimotor impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual’s socio-behavioural preferences, personal independence, and quality of life. Issues relating to clumsiness and movement coordination are common features of autism that contribute to wide-ranging daily living difficulties. However, these characteristics are relatively understudied and there is an absence of evidence-based practical interventions. To pave the way for new, scientifically-focused programmes, a series of studies investigated the mechanistic underpinnings of sensorimotor differences in autism. Following a targeted review of previous research, study one explored links between autistic-like traits and numerous conceptually-significant movement control functions. Eye-tracking analyses were integrated with force transducers and motion capture technology to examine how participants interacted with uncertain lifting objects. Upon identifying a link between autistic-like traits and context-sensitive predictive action control, study two replicated these procedures with a sample of clinically-diagnosed participants. Results illustrated that autistic people are able to use predictions to guide object interactions, but that uncertainty-related adjustments in sensorimotor integration are atypical. Such findings were advanced within a novel virtual-reality paradigm in study three, which systematically manipulated environmental uncertainty during naturalistic interception actions. Here, data supported proposals that precision weighting functions are aberrant in autistic people, and suggested that these individuals have difficulties with processing volatile sensory information. These difficulties were not alleviated by the experimental provision of explicit contextual cues in study four. Together, these studies implicate the role of implicit neuromodulatory mechanisms that regulate dynamic sensorimotor behaviours. Results support the development of evidence-based programmes that ‘make the world more predictable’ for autistic people, with various theoretical and practical implications presented. Possible applications of these findings are discussed in relation to recent multi-disciplinary research and conceptual advances in the field, which could help improve daily living skills and functional quality of life.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC

Toward a second-person neuroscience

LS & BT : equal contributions (shared first-authorship)Peer reviewedPreprin

Robotics Technology in Mental Health Care

This chapter discusses the existing and future use of robotics and intelligent sensing technology in mental health care. While the use of this technology is nascent in mental health care, it represents a potentially useful tool in the practitioner's toolbox. The goal of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of the field, discuss the recent use of robotics technology in mental health care practice, explore some of the design issues and ethical issues of using robots in this space, and finally to explore the potential of emerging technology

Methods and Professionals Involved in Evaluating Postural Control in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Population: A Systematic Review

The objective of this systematic review was to determine the methods in which postural stability and control are being quantified in persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with what instrumentation and which healthcare professionals are included in this process. It is well studied that persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which now include those with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Disorder, often suffer from vestibular modulation abnormalities (Rogers & Ozonoff, 2005; American Psychiatric Association, 2013.) These individuals may present with either an under- or over-responsiveness to vestibular inputs resulting in a variety of repetitive behaviors or deviations in gait and postural control (Ben-Sasson et al., 2009). In total, 14 studies were analyzed. The review revealed that instrumentation used to study postural control and ASD included: 1) industry-standard static forceplates, 2) electromagnetic motion trackers, 3) the Nintendo Wii balance Board and 3) computerized dynamic posturography. Background of all authors involved was identified in order to determine which professionals are involved in assessing balance in the ASD population. Of the 57 authors, 54 backgrounds were able to be identified and were found to be one of the following: psychologist, medical doctor, kinesiologist, biotechnology specialists, occupational therapist, engineer, optometrist, neuroscientist, physicist, statistician, or biologist. With audiologists being balance experts whom are also familiar with the above-named instrumentation, it is essential that they too participate in this area of research

Integration of Technology Within Intervention Strategies for Students With High Functioning Autism: A Phenomenological Approach to Analyzing Educators’ Viewpoints

There is a phenomenon that exists within the Maryland State Public School System regarding technology integration within intervention strategies for students with high functioning autism (HFA). Educators have attested that there is minimally available technology for consistent use when working with their students during intervention strategies and services. Thus, when stakeholders understand the actual experiences of the professionals that work with students that have HFA on a daily basis, positive reform may occur at the immediate level by administrators within school buildings. The purpose of this study was to examine how general and special educators experienced technology use during interventions that they provided to their students with HFA. There were two main research questions: How do general and special educators describe their experiences using technology during interventions for students with HFA? What factors are IEP team committee members considering when they decide to include or refrain from adding technology accommodations within an IEP for students with HFA? The instrumentation utilized in this study was a set of open-ended questions conducted in an interview format. After careful analysis of the data collected, six main themes were detected connected to the conceptual framework of educational equity, persuasive technology, and theory of mind. The necessity of serious funding reform for technology within this particular county are the implications for future practices in the Maryland State public school system. Provision of technology including electronic devices, adequate professional development, and increased funding will equalize educational access for disabled students with HFA

Recent Developments in Smart Healthcare

Medicine is undergoing a sector-wide transformation thanks to the advances in computing and networking technologies. Healthcare is changing from reactive and hospital-centered to preventive and personalized, from disease focused to well-being centered. In essence, the healthcare systems, as well as fundamental medicine research, are becoming smarter. We anticipate significant improvements in areas ranging from molecular genomics and proteomics to decision support for healthcare professionals through big data analytics, to support behavior changes through technology-enabled self-management, and social and motivational support. Furthermore, with smart technologies, healthcare delivery could also be made more efficient, higher quality, and lower cost. In this special issue, we received a total 45 submissions and accepted 19 outstanding papers that roughly span across several interesting topics on smart healthcare, including public health, health information technology (Health IT), and smart medicine