ERIC Search

By ERIC I am assuming you mean the main VCU library portal (which synthesizes multiple search directories). I sure hope because that's what I used:)
My initial search term was 'Autism and consciousness' which yielded two very good articles. The first one was 'A paradigm shift in consciousness research' which spoke to the 'state of the science' and how we are moving from correlational studies to causal studies. While not specific to autism, the paper views autism, as well as ADHD and schizophrenia as 'developmental disorders of conscious self-regulation'. I had never thought of it in those terms but it does mirror some of the theories of 'motivation' which anchor much of behaviorism. A cognitive scientist might use the term 'attention' rather than 'motivation' but they both capture the phenomenon of 'focusing the neural apparatus into a point to that self-awareness takes place'. We 'focus' on people because of the reinforcing qualities. The same could be said for why we 'attend' to others (in the social sense).
The second paper rattled me a little, it is a paper titled 'autistic integrity' and it takes a direct shot at the idea that people diagnosed with autism need to be cured and makes the moral case for stopping efforts to cure adults with autism. I think this is a growing concern in my field, especially considering we operate without 'informed consent'. I tend to be keenly sensitive to this point of view and agree with it in broad strokes. I do think a distinction needs to made between those people on the spectrum who have the skills to advocate for themselves and those who do not possess the communicative skills and/or behavioral deficits that preclude self-advocacy. I maintain that it's 'moral' to teach them to the skills necessary to self-advocate or, be definition, they will always be at the mercy of others.
Neither of these has helped me especially in moving closer to a research topic though so I switched terms to 'autism and language'.
This search yielded a lot of great articles. A wonderful piece on music and autism, another that very usefully looks at interventions, a case study in which a person diagnosed with asperger's has a talent for language and many more. (I admit I've gotten lost in reading abstracts:)

I am now thinking about your reply to my last post in which you suggested I not worry about data collection at this point but focus more on a research question, especially analyzing whether or not I have a qualitative or quantitative question. The answer, I don't know yet but I am VERY glad I am taking this class.


Adam