Сенсорная обработка и дефицит внимания у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра

Deficiti pažnje su značajan i sveprisutan simptom u okviru poremećaja iz spektra autizma (PSA u daljem tekstu). Neki autori pretpostavljaju da neadekvatna modulacija pažnje može biti u vezi sa teškoćama u senzornom procesiranju informacija. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi da li 1) postoje razlike u deangažovanju i orijentaciji pažnje tokom polustruktuirane igre, između ispitanika sa PSA u odnosu na one sa specifičnim jezičkim poremećajem (SJP u daljem tekstu) i na tipičnu populaciju, 2) postoji povezanost između specifičnosti pažnje i senzornog procesiranja, 3) postoje grupne razlike, na nivou elektrofizioloških funkcija merenih EEG-om. Uzorak je bio sastavljen od 90 ispitanika uzrasta tri do šest godina, sa dijagnozom PSA, SJP i onima tipičnog razvoja.Rezultati ukazuju na razlike u deangažovanju i orijentaciji pažnje kod PSA, poređeno sa grupom sa SJP i grupom tipičnog razvoja. Grupa sa PSA imala je veći broj epizoda prolongiranog deangažovanja pažnje, manji broj promena fokusa pažnje sa osobe na osobu i sa osobe na predmet, kao i veću latencu prilikom odazivanja na poziv po imenu. Utvrđene su grupne razlike u senzornom procesiranju, dok veza između senzorne obrade i pažnje nije uočena. Evidentirane su grupne razlike na nivou EEG-a, u okviru teta i alfa frekventnog opsega.Zaključuje se da postoje specifičnosti u domenu deangažovanja i orijentacije pažnje kod dece sa PSA. Unutar PSA, ističe se veća učestalost senzornih profila koji ukazuju na povlačenje iz socijalne sredine. Razlike u EEG merama detektovane su pretežno iznad motoričkog i senzomotoričkog korteksa, mogu se dovesti u vezu sa smetnjama na nivou pažnje, senzorne i motoričke obrade i integracije koje populacija sa PSA ispoljava. Atipičnosti EEG-a u okviru mirnog stanja upućuju na pretpostavku da postoje trajna ili hronična stanja ekscitabilnosti kod PSAAttention deficits are a significant and pervasive symptom in autism spectrum disorder (ASD in further text). Some authors presume that inadequate attentional modulation could be partially explained by sensory processing difficulties. The aim of the study presented within this dissertation was to determine if differences existed in attention disengagement and attention orientation, examined within a semi-structured play session, in children with ASD. This group was compared with SLI children and the typical population. The second goal was to establish whether an association existed between these aspects of attention and sensory processing. Finally, the study examined group differences at the level of electrophysiology.The sample consisted of 90 participants aged three to six. Results point to differences in disengagement and orientation in participants with ASD, compared to participants with SLI and the typical population. Participants within the ASD group tended to have more frequent episodes of prolonged disengagement of attention, less changes of focus from person to object and from person to person as well as longer latencies in orienting to name. Group differences were also established for sensory processing. The last segment of analysis points to group differences at the electrophysiological level, between the ASD, SLI and typical group.Based on the empirical data, we can conclude that children with ASD have shown atypical disengagement and orientation. Sensory abnormalities were also shown as well as profiles which include withdrawal from the social field. However, no associations were found between atypical attention and sensory processing. Electrophysiological analysis has shown atypical neural oscillations registered mostly over the motor and sensorimotor cortex. These results can be tied to attention, motor and sensory difficulties, as well as sensory integration difficulties seen in the ASD population. Atypical neural oscillations in the resting state point to possible continuous and chronic states of excitability within AS

Socijalni model ometenosti i njegov uticaj na teoriju i praksu u psihologiji i rehabilitaciji

This paper represents a review of genesis and basic assertions of the social disability model (SDM) and its impact on theory and practice in psychology and rehabilitation. With its view on disability as a form of oppression, SDM is focused on changing society. The developmental pathway from the earliest radical forms of the SDM to the recent more neutral orientation is shown. The study then turns to the changes in psychological theory and practice. The contribution of critical psychology in the struggle for social change is described first. Afterwards, traditional psychology is criticized on several levels, with more contemporary views offered in the spirit of the new disability paradigm. These are shown as useful for assessment and intervention of disabled persons. The work is especially focused on psychological counselling, with a brief overview of theoretical aspects of counselling, compatible with the SDM and recommendations of different authors within this framework, concerning counselling practice in psychology and rehabilitation.Ova studija predstavlja prikaz razvoja socijalnog modela ometenosti (SMO), njegove osnovne pretpostavke, kao i uticaj na teoriju i praksu u psihologiji i rehabilitaciji. Posmatrajući ometenost kao formu ugnjetavanja, SMO je fokusiran na podsticanje društvenih promena. Prikazan je razvojni put od najranijih radikalnih oblika SMO do neutralnije socijalne orijentacije. Zatim su predstavljene promene u psihološ koj teoriji i praksi. Opisan je doprinos kritičke psihologije u borbi za socijalne promene. Tradicionalna psihologija je kritikovana na više nivoa i ponuđeno je nekoliko savremenih shvatanja u duhu nove paradigme ometenosti. Diskusija je dalje usmerena na savremene pristupe, bazirane na težnji za socijalnim promenama, a koji mogu biti od koristi za procenu i intervencije kod osoba s ometenošću. Poseban prostor je posvećen psihološkom savetovanju, s kratkim osvrtom na teorijske aspekte savetovanja koji su kompatibilni sa SMO, kao i preporukama različitih autora unutar SMO, u vezi s praksom savetovanja u psihologiji i rehabilitaciji

Razvoj auditivne pažnje

This paper presents an overview of developmental findings on auditory attention and its main components. Unlike visual attention that has been excessively studied in infants and children, auditory attention studies in the youngest population are sparse. However, during the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of studies, especially electrophysiological ones carried out on infants. Our review starts with Posner's seminal theoretical and experimental work gradually developing into a neuropsychological model of attention. Basic components of auditory attention are presented with the focus on selective auditory attention and the MMN as its electrophysiological correlate. In conclusion, we return to the psychological concepts of interpreting developmental changes in auditory attention. The psychological level of analysis shows interconnectivity of all attentional components as well as the relation between attention and other aspects of cognitive and emotional development.Rad predstavlja pregled razvojnih istraživanja u okviru auditivne pažnje i njenih glavnih komponenti. Za razliku od vizuelne pažnje odojčadi i dece, istraživanja auditivne pažnje kod najmlađe populacije su daleko manje prisutna. Međutim, poslednja dekada beleži porast istraživanja posebno onih koja primenjuju elektrofiziološke parametre. Pregled počinje prikazom Posnerovog rada koji je rezultirao uticajnim neuropsihološkim modelom pažnje. U okviru prikaza auditivne pažnje, predstavljamo osnovne komponente ove funkcije, sa akcentom na selektivnu auditivnu pažnju i MMN kao njen glavni elektrofiziološki korelat. U zaključku se oslanjamo na psihološki nivo interpretacije razvojnih promena u auditivnoj pažnji. Ovaj nivo pokazuje međusobnu povezanost svih komponenti pažnje, kao i vezu auditivne pažnje sa kognitivim i emocionalnim dimenzijama ličnosti

Characteristics of communication profiles of children with, autistic spectrum disorder and their parents

Ovaj rad predstavlja osvrt na dosadašnja istraživanja komunikacijskih i afektivnih specifičnosti u dijadama dece sa autističkim spektrom poremećaja i njihovih roditelja. Rad ima za cilj da utvrdi postoje li specifični obrasci komunikacije koji karakterišu ovu populaciju dece kada su u interakciji sa bliskim osobama. U pokušaju opisivanja osnovnih karakteristika ovih dijada, prednost je data deficitu neverbalne komunikacije koji deca sa autističkim spektrom poremećaja ispoljavaju, posebno deficit zajedničke pažnje. Zatim su dijade prikazane sa aspekta afektivne razmene. Opisane su afektivne reakcije deteta unutar epizoda zajedničke pažnje, empatija deteta, kao i rezultati studija koje su uzimale u obzir emocionalnu reakciju majke. Nakon opisa specifičnosti, postavljeno je pitanje kakve strategije su u ovim dijadama u upotrebi u problematičnim etapama komunikacije ili tačkama prekida u komunikaciji. Takođe, u nameri da ukažemo na specifičnosti druge strane dijade ili roditelja, kao posebne varijable izdvojili smo stres i umor. Ovi faktori vrše snažan, svakodnevni uticaj na interakciju roditelja sa detetom. Naglašena je neophodnost uzimanja u obzir ovih faktora u postojećim terapijskim intervencijama koje se u velikoj meri oslanjaju na kapacitete roditelja.This paper represents a review of current studies of communication and affective characteristics in dyads of children with autistic spectrum disorder and their parents. The review is aimed at establishing if specific features of communication exist in this population when there is an interaction with a close partner. In an attempt to describe the basic characteristics of these dyads, advantage is given to the deficit in nonverbal communication shown by children with autistic spectrum disorder, especially the joint attention deficit. Also, the dyads are described from the perspective of coordination of affect. Affective reactions of the child are described within the dyads, including empathy. Numerous study results focusing on emotional reactions of the mother are reviewed. After describing the characteristics, the question is posed concerning the strategies used in the dyads in difficult communication phases or following communication break offs. In an attempt to describe the characteristics of the other partner in communication – the parent, stress and fatigue are especially treated. These factors have a strong influence on everyday interactions of the parent and child. We have accented the importance of careful examination of these factors when making decisions on therapeutic interventions, because they need to be based on parents’ strengths

Crtanje figure čoveka i kuće kod slepe dece

Drawing is an artistic discipline in which basic mean of expression is a line. The line can be used to represent almost any linear element: shape, light, direction, proportion, size, texture. Experts from the fields of special education and rehabilitation people with visual impairments and psychology are interested in whether blind people can draw meaningful symbols without additional exercise and learning of symbolic conventions. Goal of research is to examine characteristics of drawings of a man and a house by blind children who have previously not been trained in drawing. The sample included six 8-years old blind children without previous experience in drawing. They had a task to draw figure of a man and a house on a positive foil. Positive foil is part of a contemporary drawing kit which also includes light board covered with a layer of rubber and special pens. In three children we have found the existence of basic human matrix drawings, linking of form and meaning. In these drawings, parts are linked and integrated which is expressed in irregular lines. In three children it has been found that lines are not organized, there is no connection, but there is a spiral - a first attempt in imagining and drawing a figure of man. When it comes to drawing a house, it has been found that there is an attempt of arranging lines in proper spatial arrangement: the roof is up, windows, doors and floor at the bottom.Crtanje je likovna disciplina u kojoj je linija osnovno izražajno sredstvo. Linijom se mogu predstaviti linijski elementi: oblik, svetlina, pravac, proporcija, veličina, tekstura. Stručnjake iz oblasti specijalne edukacije i rehabilitacije osoba sa oštećenjem vida i psihologije interesuje da li slepi mogu da crtaju simbole, bez dodatne vežbe i učenja simboličkih konvencija. Cilj istraživanja: Utvrditi karakteristike crtanja figure čoveka i kuće kod slepe dece koja prethodno nisu obučavana u crtanju. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno šestoro slepe dece, uzrasta od osam godina. Deca nisu imala nikakvog iskustva u crtanju. Zadatak je bio da nacrtaju figuru čoveka i kuće na pozitivnoj foliji. Pozitivna folija je deo savremenog pribora za crtanje u čiji sastav ulaze i lagana tabla pokrivena slojem gume i specijalne olovke. Kod troje dece utvrđeno je postojanje osnovne matrice crteža čoveka, povezivanje oblika i značenja. Na crtežima kuće postoje pokušaji povezivanja i objedinjavanja delova. Kod troje dece utvrđeno je da ne postoji osnovna matrica crteža čoveka, linije nisu organizovane, nema spajanja, ali da postoji spirala - prvi korak u crtanju čoveka. Kada je u pitanju crtanje kuće, utvrđeno je da postoje pokušaji slaganja linija pravilnog prostornog rasporeda: krov gore, prozori, vrata i pod dole

Crtanje figure čoveka i kuće kod slepe dece

Drawing is an artistic discipline in which basic mean of expression is a line. The line can be used to represent almost any linear element: shape, light, direction, proportion, size, texture. Experts from the fields of special education and rehabilitation people with visual impairments and psychology are interested in whether blind people can draw meaningful symbols without additional exercise and learning of symbolic conventions. Goal of research is to examine characteristics of drawings of a man and a house by blind children who have previously not been trained in drawing. The sample included six 8-years old blind children without previous experience in drawing. They had a task to draw figure of a man and a house on a positive foil. Positive foil is part of a contemporary drawing kit which also includes light board covered with a layer of rubber and special pens. In three children we have found the existence of basic human matrix drawings, linking of form and meaning. In these drawings, parts are linked and integrated which is expressed in irregular lines. In three children it has been found that lines are not organized, there is no connection, but there is a spiral - a first attempt in imagining and drawing a figure of man. When it comes to drawing a house, it has been found that there is an attempt of arranging lines in proper spatial arrangement: the roof is up, windows, doors and floor at the bottom.Crtanje je likovna disciplina u kojoj je linija osnovno izražajno sredstvo. Linijom se mogu predstaviti linijski elementi: oblik, svetlina, pravac, proporcija, veličina, tekstura. Stručnjake iz oblasti specijalne edukacije i rehabilitacije osoba sa oštećenjem vida i psihologije interesuje da li slepi mogu da crtaju simbole, bez dodatne vežbe i učenja simboličkih konvencija. Cilj istraživanja: Utvrditi karakteristike crtanja figure čoveka i kuće kod slepe dece koja prethodno nisu obučavana u crtanju. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno šestoro slepe dece, uzrasta od osam godina. Deca nisu imala nikakvog iskustva u crtanju. Zadatak je bio da nacrtaju figuru čoveka i kuće na pozitivnoj foliji. Pozitivna folija je deo savremenog pribora za crtanje u čiji sastav ulaze i lagana tabla pokrivena slojem gume i specijalne olovke. Kod troje dece utvrđeno je postojanje osnovne matrice crteža čoveka, povezivanje oblika i značenja. Na crtežima kuće postoje pokušaji povezivanja i objedinjavanja delova. Kod troje dece utvrđeno je da ne postoji osnovna matrica crteža čoveka, linije nisu organizovane, nema spajanja, ali da postoji spirala - prvi korak u crtanju čoveka. Kada je u pitanju crtanje kuće, utvrđeno je da postoje pokušaji slaganja linija pravilnog prostornog rasporeda: krov gore, prozori, vrata i pod dole

The social disability model and its impact on theory and practice in psychology and rehabilitation

This paper represents a review of genesis and basic assertions of the social disability model (SDM) and its impact on theory and practice in psychology and rehabilitation. With its view on disability as a form of oppression, SDM is focused on changing society. The developmental pathway from the earliest radical forms of the SDM to the recent more neutral orientation is shown. The study then turns to the changes in psychological theory and practice. The contribution of critical psychology in the struggle for social change is described first. Afterwards, traditional psychology is criticized on several levels, with more contemporary views offered in the spirit of the new disability paradigm. These are shown as useful for assessment and intervention of disabled persons. The work is especially focused on psychological counselling, with a brief overview of theoretical aspects of counselling, compatible with the SDM and recommendations of different authors within this framework, concerning counselling practice in psychology and rehabilitation

Spectral analysis of eeg signal in verbal information processing task

The EEG is a non-invasive method to obtain information about neural activity associated with cognitive processes. Its great temporal resolution can provide data regarding the process itself within milliseconds but EEG has poor spatial resolution. The EEG is based on the voltage difference between two (or more) electrodes and represents the summation of numerous neuron activity. The objective of the study reported was to analyze the EEG signal in verbal information processing task using spectral analysis for frequency band and power spectrum extraction. Also we wanted to determine relation between different frequency bands (Theta – θ, Beta – β and Alpha - α) and their power spectrum in different parts of the task (perception, retention and reproduction) for different stimuli (syllables, words, non-words, sentences, picture situations and picture stories). The sample comprised of 9 subjects, right-handed, native speakers of Serbian language with no history of hearing and speech-language disorders. All subjects were not using any medication that may influence EEG signal. After the standard procedure of EEG electrodes placement, subjects listened to a set of auditory presented verbal stimuli. After each stimulus they had a 2 second retention period time followed by a reproduction period. They were given 5 seconds for viewing picture situations and a 15 second period for the picture story followed by a reproduction period. Differences between EEG frequency bands and power as well as their cortical representation in verbal information processing task will be discussed

Spectral analysis of eeg signal in verbal information processing task

The EEG is a non-invasive method to obtain information about neural activity associated with cognitive processes. Its great temporal resolution can provide data regarding the process itself within milliseconds but EEG has poor spatial resolution. The EEG is based on the voltage difference between two (or more) electrodes and represents the summation of numerous neuron activity. The objective of the study reported was to analyze the EEG signal in verbal information processing task using spectral analysis for frequency band and power spectrum extraction. Also we wanted to determine relation between different frequency bands (Theta – θ, Beta – β and Alpha - α) and their power spectrum in different parts of the task (perception, retention and reproduction) for different stimuli (syllables, words, non-words, sentences, picture situations and picture stories). The sample comprised of 9 subjects, right-handed, native speakers of Serbian language with no history of hearing and speech-language disorders. All subjects were not using any medication that may influence EEG signal. After the standard procedure of EEG electrodes placement, subjects listened to a set of auditory presented verbal stimuli. After each stimulus they had a 2 second retention period time followed by a reproduction period. They were given 5 seconds for viewing picture situations and a 15 second period for the picture story followed by a reproduction period. Differences between EEG frequency bands and power as well as their cortical representation in verbal information processing task will be discussed

Communication profiles of children With autistic spectrum disorder: social and Cogntive components of joint attention

Rad predstavlja teorijsku analizu ranih oblika komunikacijskih de- ficita na populaciji dece sa autističkim spektrom poremećaja (u daljem tekstu ASP). Komunikacijski deficit, kao što je odsustvo ili kašnje- nje u razvoju zajedničke pažnje, u ovom radu se analizira sa stanovišta nje- nih osnovnih komponenti: pokaznog gesta i vizuo-spacijalne pažnje. Dat je kratak pregled novije teorijske interpretacije pokaznog gesta i njene empirijske potvrde, a koja se razlikuje od inicijalnog određenja Bejtsove iz sedamdesetih godina. Vizuo-spacijalna pažnja se tumači kao jedna od va- žnih sposobnosti koja pomaže realizaciji epizoda zajedničke pažnje te indirektno deluje na razvoj socijalnih sposobnosti. U određenju zajedničke pažnje se insistira na razgraničenju dva njena oblika: iniciranja zajedničke pažnje i reagovanja na zajedničku pažnju, gde je prvi oblik dominantno soci- jalne prirode i kod jednog procenta dece sa ASP se uopšte ne razvija. Dalje, dat je pregled komunikacijskih profila dece sa intelektualnom ometeno- šću i kratko je komentarisana komunikativna funkcija disruptivnog ponašanja. U opisivanju komunikacijskih profila dece sa ASP centralno mesto zauzima deficit zajedničke pažnje. Osvetljavanje deficita svih komponenti zajedničke pažnje vodi kreiranju efektnih ranih intervencija u okviru kliničke prakse koje bi trebalo da budu paralelno usmerene na de- ficit same vizuelne pažnje i socijalnih veština u nastajanju.The study represents a theoretical analysis of early forms of communication disorders in the population of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD in further text). The communication deficit manifested in delay or lack of development of joint attention has been analysed in regard with its main components: the gesture of pointing and visuo-spatial attention. A short review is given of novel theoretical approaches to the pointing gesture, together with its empirical confirmation which differs from Bates’ initial characterisation from the seventies. Visuospatial attention is interpreted as an essential skill used in joint attention epsiodes, having an indirect influence on social skill development. Joint attention is presented here as existing in two forms: initiating joint attention and reacting to joint attention. The first form is of social nature and doesn’t develop in a certain percentage of children with ASD. Further on, the paper deals with a review of communication profiles of children with intellectual disability with a short comment on the communicative function of disruptive behavior. In describing profiles of children with ASD, the central position belongs to joint attention deficits. Shedding light on all the components of joint attention leads to creating effective early interventions in clinical practice, which should be focused on visual attention and developing social skills