The purpose of this project was to research the expression of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children and create a children’s book that can help the peers of individuals with a diagnosis to understand what the disorder entails and potentially gain a new sense of empathy for peers of all levels of physical and mental abilities. The research component includes interviews with individuals deemed knowledgeable about ASD, including occupational therapists, behavioral analysts, and parents, as well as a literature review of research studies on the expression of Autism in children. This written portion of the project may also serve as a manual for individuals who have little to no knowledge of ASD, as it dives deeper into the content of the book and research, while remaining easily understandable and clear to those without any prior knowledge or experience with ASD. It could prove especially useful for those in professions that come into contact with individuals with Autism, but do not necessarily require psychology courses or training as a prerequisite for the role, such as teachers and some health professionals.
The goal of this project is to address resilience in children by designing mindfulness-based activities that incorporate and promote awareness of mind, being and mental health, and to integrate these resources into existing elementary curricula that focus on using school gardens as teaching platforms.
A literature review on the societal and psychological factors that most influence body dissatisfaction in young women.
A literature review on the societal and psychological factors that most influence body dissatisfaction in young women.