Research Discussions
Research Discussion Points of Interest
View the latest empirical research literature review by Katherine Ann Roe Sainz in the peer reviewed June 2007 issue of:
Psychology Journal, Volume 4, Number 2
Sainz, K.A.R. (2007). Neurological bases of panic disorder: selected issues. Psychology Journal, 4, 77-90.
Email Katherine katherinesai0354@aol.com if you desire a copy of the article - The journal will require a $10 copyright fee for duplication (of any sort). Just donate a one-time donation through the homepage donation link (scroll down once on the IHC page to find donation buttons), and then let Katherine know you have paid and the $10 fee will be forwarded to the journal from IHCenter / Big Sky.
Dr. Kristin Neff's Research Link Page
https://webspace.utexas.edu/neffk/pubs/listofpublications.htm
Dr. Neff is one of our educational psychology consultants for scholarly research and alternative methods design.Animal and Equine Assisted Therapy Research Links
The Delta Society - Bridging the Animal / Human Health connection http://www.deltasociety.org/AnimalsResourcesHealth.htm
*In particular, scroll down to some of the reports/research in the Children / Adolescent section ; aside from the Hippotherapy (horse) and small animal therapy reports/research - give a look at the Elephant Facilitated Therapy as elephants may be a part of Big Sky in the future (in Africa and possibly at our Texas campuses). We have direct connection (via Rupert Isaacson) to an Elephant Orphanage/Refuge in Zimbabwe.
NARHA position on the past and future of EFT (Equine Facilitated Therapy / Mental Health) http://www.narha.org/PDFfiles/research.pdf
Selected research article citations for Equine Assisted Therapy http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAB/EATarticles.htm
Interesting Forum Discussions of the past with Students & Colleagues of
Katherine Ann Roe Sainz Regarding ASD/PDD
Why study Autism and Williams Syndrome concurrently?
If we are to answer this question soley based on the Pinel text (cited in full below), Chromosome 7 is the key to the answer due to the fact that there is a shared gene locus for both, [Pinel, 2003, pp236 &238 (depending on the type of autism), and therefore paired studies are a logical course of action. On the behavioral scale, forms of communicative autism share many of the same basic diagnostic criteria as Williams Syndrome, [( echolalic speech patterns, dental carries, cognitive delay, sensorimotor sensitivity, hyperacusis, extensive ability for long-term memory, digestive sensitivity, excessive tantrums etc.) Udwin & Yule,1998],
and further, it is not uncommon for individuals to have co-morbidity of both disorders on an official diagnosis.
Specifically speaking again to chromosome 7, the genetic material on chromosome 7 that is expressly lacking, is in reference to an overall lack of elasticity in the body organs, (which may also be the cause for the digestive problems in WS and certain forms of ASD). EG: While the chromosome affected is not the same as the one which has been identified as causing Rett Syndrome, the fact that there is a genetic link found within each condition in relation to the elastin deficiency, there is reason here alone to encourage researchers to study other Pervasive Developmental Disorders for a possible genetic cause in relation to chromosome 7, (Treffort, D. A.,1997, University of Wisconsin Medical School).
Problems with the Pinel text :
I am very concerned that the Pinel description will be your only student exposure to the world of Autism, when in fact, many of you will be moving onto counseling positions after your time in your current graduate program, and there is a very high likelihood that some of your prospective clients will fall into the autistic spectrum, but you won't have the knowledge to recognize the signs. Especially in marriage/couples counseling, Asperger's Syndrome will be a potential factor. Too many times I hear the story of how a man or woman in a couples counseling scenario was confirmed as "insistent on sameness", "anxious to a fault", "obsessive with household and work routines", and "socially inept to the degree of personal relationship interference at home," and yet no attempts were made to assess the individual for Asperger's Syndrome! Ugh! Please... I beg you... inform yourselves about the many autistic spectrum disorders before you begin your counseling career. That effort of having a base knowledge of these often subtle syndromes, may mean the difference between a life of confused darkness for your prospective ASD client, and a new life of personal understanding for that client who always new something was off-kilter and a continual obstacle, but could never figure it out for themselves. ASD syndromes require more understanding by mental health professionals than is currently existent. I respectfully ask all of us to really apply effort to be part of a new wave of informed counseling professionals concerning these and other neurobiological syndromes.
Note: My immediate impression of the Pinel text on the subject of Autism, was a combination of being impressed with the lengths to which Pinel outlined the neuroanatomy and genetic research in a very coherent manner, and dissappointment with the generalization of Autism as a whole when it would have taken no more than a few paragraphs to outline the group of interrelated disorders that are enveloped in the blanket term of autism. In short, my criticism of the Pinel text is in the form of a question, " why go to the lengths of appropriately outlining up-dated neurological / genetic information, and yet in the descriptive definition, continue to reiterate the outdated definition from the 1970s?"
The Pinel Definition of Autism as "A" Disorder with three core symptoms : Think Again.
The five official types of Autism as per the DSM-IV are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS atypical autism, Rett's Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Then there are Autistic Spectrum Disorders which include Asperger's Syndrome and mild autism without retardation, some levels of PDD-NOS atypical autism, non-verbal Learning disabilities [(NVLD) that include motoric integration, visual-spatial-orientation, and social/communication dysfunctions], semantic-pragmatic communication disorder (SPLD) , hyperplexia, and ADHD . Other disorders related to these listed, both behaviorally and genetically, are being considered for future listing alongside the major five in the DSM-IV, (Wisconsin Medical Society, 2004).
****NOTE: This was written before the DSM-IV TR edition publication which now expands definitions and co-morbidities****
And, what little I have posted here, barely touches the edge of the complicated, (but worth the investigational effort), "system" of disorders. For those of you who are researching PDD / ASD, I am always interested in learning more - feel free to teach me something new with your research. Thank you.
Treffert, D. A. MD, author profile http://members.authorguild.net/treffert/. Retrieved June 29th, 2004. Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison.
Pediatric Neurological Associates
http://www.pediatricneurology.com/autism.htm, Retrieved June 28th, 2004.
Pinel, J.P.J, (2003). Biopsychology (5th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon
Udwin, O. and Yule, W. (1998). Williams Syndrome: Guidelines for Teachers. US: Williams Syndrome Foundation
Wisconsin Medical Society http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant/faq.cfm, Retrieved June 28th, 2004.
OTHER WEBSITES OF INTEREST FOR WS
The Williams Syndrome Association http://www.williams-syndrome.org
The Williams Syndrome Foundation http://www.wsf.org
Centre for Rare Disorders National Hospital
http://www.rh.uio.no/ssss/English/Disorder/ED_willi.htm
Williams Syndrome Foundation (UK) http://www.williams-syndrome.org.uk/
Katherine Sainz
Thanks for the informative post on Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I too couldn’t help but notice the similarities between ASD and Williams Syndrome in that in both disorders, an abnormality in the genetic material carried by a locus on Chromosome 7 has been implicated. In the case of ASD, this has been narrowed down to a variant of Hoxa 1 gene. In animal studies, specifically mice in which expression of the Hoxa 1 gene had been suppressed, it has been shown that the resultant anatomical abnormalities are structurally similar to that of an autistic child i.e. shortened brainstem, underdeveloped facial nucleus, no superior olive and ear malformations. What this tells us is that the Hoxa 1 gene variant could be the culprit responsible for some of the anatomical aberrancies seen in an autistic child. What we don’t know is whether the structural abnormalities contribute to the pervasive clinical picture or, on the contrary, whether ASD by virtue of poor/absent neuronal stimulation in certain pathways lead to the neuronal deficits.
As you mentioned, five different recognizable subtypes in the ASD exist with more on the way. Besides the incrimination of the deviant Hoxa 1 gene, we should be seeing more studies done on the cerebellar abnormalities in children with ASD. Williams and Autism may be but different wavelengths of the same spectrum of these pervasive learning disorders. Thanks again for your insightful post!
aaron
Applause Applause - Exactamundo My Friend....I'm excited to hear you and others in the class digging into the continuum of the system of disorders touching (and within) ASD.
There are inclusionists and separatists in the Autism world - and at present, WS is considered a disorder separate from Autism - but you should not be shocked to see both ASD disorders and WS explored side by side with implied pairing - Time will tell to see where the boundaries ultimately are drawn and as we are seeing, molecular definition will be the ultimate form of classification since many of these disorders have chromosomal links no matter how much we want to separate the descriptive classification. The more you research PDD, you will see papers that call for complete lines to be drawn between all the different ASD disorders - and then there are people like me who believe in keeping things (disorders) all in the autism family for research implication reasons. It is a political mess at present and again, time will tell - Mainly, my concern is that each area of PDD be openly explored without alienating potential avenues of research for neighboring disorders, no matter their politically driven classification.
Katherine Sainz