Brenda Smith Myles

Last updated

Brenda Smith Myles (born 1957) [1] is an American author and researcher on the topic of the autism spectrum. As of 2021, she has written more than 300 articles and books on autism spectrum disorder. [2] She was once found to be the world's second most productive applied researcher in ASD, by the University of Texas. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Myles graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Elementary Education/Special Education) from the State University of New York at Old Westbury in 1985. [3] The following year, she earned a Master of Science (Special Education, Learning Disabilities) from the University of Kansas. 1989 saw that university grant her a Ph. D in Special Education, Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities. [3] While studying, she gained practical experience working with children at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Career

After receiving her doctorate, she went joined the faculty of the Department of Special Education at her alma mater. [4] While here, she undertook many research projects about young people with autism. [5] She would eventually reach the rank of "Professor" here. [3]

In 1997, she became the editor of the journal Intervention in School and Clinic , [6] remaining so until 2005.

In 2002, she was awarded the Autism Society of America (ASA) Outstanding Literary Work of the Year, for her co-authored book Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success. [7] [8] The ASA went on to award Myles their Wendy F. Miller Autism Professional of the Year Award in 2004. [9] She became a spokesperson [10] and Chief Program Officer [11] for the organisation.

Myles became an American Occupational Therapy Association Scholar in 2007. [12]

A 2011 survey of autism support professionals by Canadian organisation, Autism Ontario, found that 34% had been influenced by Myles when devising their support programs. [13]

In 2013, she became an American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Champion. [14]

She became the President of AAPC Publishing in 2017, [15] and has since ceased to be so.

Myles was also for a time a Scientific Council Board Member for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) in Washington, DC. [16]

Selected works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asperger syndrome</span> Formerly recognized neurodevelopmental condition

Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's syndrome or Asperger's, is a term formerly used to describe a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Asperger syndrome has been merged with other conditions into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is no longer considered a stand-alone diagnosis. It was considered milder than other diagnoses which were merged into ASD due to relatively unimpaired spoken language and intelligence.

The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), as opposed to specific developmental disorders (SDD), was a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. It was defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conditions comorbid to autism spectrum disorders</span> Medical conditions more common in autistic people

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood, persists throughout adulthood, and affects two crucial areas of development: social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. There are many conditions comorbid to autism spectrum disorder such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and epilepsy.

High-functioning autism (HFA) was historically an autism classification where a person exhibits no intellectual disability, but may experience difficulty in communication, emotion recognition, expression, and social interaction.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to autism:

Dr Jacqueline Carol Jackson is a British writer who consults, counsels, speaks and writes on most autism issues. Her doctoral thesis, entitled 'Nurturing the Engagement of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder through Digital Polysensory Experiences', awarded from Coventry University, analysed the sensory differences of children with an ASD and the impact of the digital and built environment. Jackson consultants on the design of built environments and the impact of lighting and design on individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodiversities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism therapies</span> Therapy aimed at autistic people

Autism therapies include a wide variety of therapies that help people with autism, or their families. Such methods of therapy seek to aid autistic people in dealing with difficulties and increase their functional independence.

Social Stories were devised as a tool to help individuals with ASD better understand the nuances of interpersonal communication so that they could "interact in an effective and appropriate manner". Although the prescribed format was meant for high functioning people with basic communication skills, the format was adapted substantially to suit individuals with poor communication skills and low level functioning. The evidence shows that there has been minimal improvement in social interaction skills. However, it is difficult to assess whether the concept would have been successful if it had been carried out as designed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classic autism</span> Former term in neurodevelopmental disorders

Classic autism, also known as childhood autism, autistic disorder, (early) infantile autism, infantile psychosis, Kanner's autism, Kanner's syndrome, or (formerly) just autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition first described by Leo Kanner in 1943. It is characterized by atypical and impaired development in social interaction and communication as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors, activities, and interests. These symptoms first appear in early childhood and persist throughout life.

Social thinking or thinking socially refers to a methodology created by Michelle Garcia Winner; it is described as a piece we all go through in our minds as we try to make sense of our others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions in a situation, whether we are merely present, actively interacting, or observing (noticing) what is happening from a distance. Our ability to think socially is part of social learning that begins at birth and evolves across our lifetime. Social thinking in this context is also referred to as social cognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kennedy Krieger Institute</span> Hospital in Maryland, United States

The Kennedy Krieger Institute is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, Johns Hopkins affiliate located in Baltimore, Maryland, that provides in-patient and out-patient medical care, community services, and school-based programs for children and adolescents with learning disabilities, as well as disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system. The Institute provides services for children with developmental concerns mild to severe and is involved in research of various disorders, including new interventions and earlier diagnosis.

Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by deficits in reciprocal social communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Other common signs include difficulty with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, along with perseverative interests, stereotypic body movements, rigid routines, and hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input. Autism is clinically regarded as a spectrum disorder, meaning that it can manifest very differently in each person. For example, some are nonspeaking, while others have proficient spoken language. Because of this, there is wide variation in the support needs of people across the autism spectrum.

<i>Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome</i> Book by Luke Jackson

Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence is a non-fiction book about Asperger syndrome published in 2003. The then 13-year-old author, Luke Jackson, has Asperger syndrome himself. Jackson wrote the book because he felt there was not enough useful information on the Internet about the subject.

Gunilla Gerland is a Swedish author and lecturer on the topic of autism. Her written works include Secrets to Success for Professionals in the Autism Field: An Insider's Guide to Understanding the Autism Spectrum, the Environment and Your Role and her autobiography A Real Person: Life on the Outside.

The history of autism spans over a century; autism has been subject to varying treatments, being pathologized or being viewed as a beneficial part of human neurodiversity. The understanding of autism has been shaped by cultural, scientific, and societal factors, and its perception and treatment change over time as scientific understanding of autism develops.

Autistic meltdown describes an intense, often uncontrollable response to an overwhelming situation experienced by some autistic individuals. Irritability or tantrum is the term used historically to describe the behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Cook O'Toole</span> American writer

Jennifer Cook (formerly O'Toole) (born October 24, 1975) is an American author and speaker. She is known for her six Asperkids books, which have been translated into six languages and include the winner of the Autism Society of America's Book of the Year Award. Her memoir Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, a "Best Book" title winner by Publishers Weekly, and named a "Best Memoir" and one of both the "Best Autism Books of All Time" and "Best-Selling Autism Books of All Time" by BookAuthority. She is the on-camera autism expert in Netflix's series Love on the Spectrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social narrative</span> Learning tool for people with disabilities

A social narrative is an evidence-based learning tool designed for use with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other associated disabilities. Social narratives often use personalized stories to teach a skill, identify a situation, or tell a narrative; some examples of social narratives may cover topics such as getting along with others, interacting with others, or experiencing a new place or activity. It is referred to as a story or a written explanation that tells the learner not only what to do but also what the situation is, with the goal of addressing the challenge of learners finding social situations confusing. Social narratives have been found effective for learners ages Preschool-High School in several areas such as social, communication, joint attention, behavior, adaptive, play, and academic.

Rhea Paul is an American clinical language scientist known for her work in the field of speech-language pathology. She was Founding Chair in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology in the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University and a research scientist and affiliate of Haskins Laboratories at Yale University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special interest (autism)</span> Highly focused interests most common in autistic people

Special interests are highly focused interests common in autistic people.

References

  1. "Myles, Brenda Smith (28812579)". viaf.org. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. "What I Have Learned From Individuals on the Spectrum". Autism Awareness. 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "About". website. Brenda Smith Myles. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  4. "Brenda Smith Myles CV" (PDF). researchautism.org. 2016.
  5. ASD Final report Military One Source
  6. Myles, Brenda Smith (September 1997). "From the Editor". Intervention in School and Clinic. 33 (1): 3. doi: 10.1177/105345129703300102 . ISSN   1053-4512. S2CID   220929217.
  7. "Shrub Oak International School Appoints Five World-Renowned Special Education Experts to Advisory Board". PRWeb. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  8. Myles, Brenda Smith; Adreon, Diane (2001). Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success. Autism Asperger Publishing Company. ISBN   978-0-9672514-9-3.
  9. "Awards". Council for Exceptional Children - Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  10. "Study: Early autism intervention in toddlers is effective - CNN.com". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  11. "The Miami Herald 12 Jul 2009, page 215". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  12. "Awards". Brenda Smith Myles. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  13. Social Matters Autism Ontario. 2019
  14. "Dr. Brenda Myles Smith". Cork Autism 2020. Cork Autism 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  15. "OAR Mourns Death of Keith Myles". OAR. 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  16. "OAR". About Us » Scientific Council. 2016-03-17. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2023-01-07.