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Autism Spectrum
Disorder

Terminology
Autism Spectrum Disorder: group of neurological disorders that aect a wide range of behaviors
There are two domains where people with ASD must show persistent deficits: 1) social communication and social
interaction, and 2) restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior http://www.autismspeaks.org/dsm-5/faq
Controversy in labeling
Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM-5)
Subcategories:
Autism: moderate to severe impairments in communication, socialization and behavior
Asperger syndrome: higher functioning on autism spectrum with delays in social skills and evidence of
repetitive behaviors
Child Disintegrative disorder: occurs after approx. two years of normal development; previously learned skills
lost
PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder): overall term for developmental lag
Autism: What is it?
Severe, chronic, developmental disability that occurs before age 3
In many cases, child is progressing normally and then begins to regress
No one characteristic or test can confirm a diagnosis
Autism spectrum disorder incidence: How common is it?
Approximately 1 child in 68 can be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Boys outnumber girls 4-5 to 1
Fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S.
Why?
Etiology
Dont know!
Vaccinations?
Older dads?
Early theories?
Genetic link?
Environmental trigger?
Diet?

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Diet?
Early Signs
Does not babble at 1 year of age
Begins developing language, then abruptly stops
Doesnt respond to name, but has normal hearing
Doesnt point to things
Avoids eye contact and cuddling
Doesnt pretend
Autism Characteristics
Further defined as problems in these three specific areas:
social interaction
language
imaginative play
Social Interaction
Impairment in behaviors such as eye contact, gestures, body language
Problems with peer relationships
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
Language
Delay in or total lack of spoken language
Marked impairment to initiate or sustain a conversation
Parroting phrases called echolalia
Delays in expressive and receptive language
Communication progression
Imaginative Play
Lack of make-believe or imitative play
Inappropriate toy play or odd attachment to objects/ repetitive behaviors
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Treatment Approaches: the most important approach is EARLY intervention!
Non-medical
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
Biomedical

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Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

Biomedical
Related approaches
Early intervention is funded under IDEA legislation
Asperger Syndrome
Highest functioning subcategory in Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Generally exhibits serious deficiencies in social and communication skills
Obsessive, repetitive routines and preoccupations
Viewed by peers as odd
Social characteristics might include:
Socially awkward/social imperception
Naive and gullible
Unaware of others feelings
Diculty reading body language of others
Problems with eye contact
Communication Diculties
Fixates on one subject
May have unusually accurate memory for details
Unusual speech patterns
Loud, high or monotonous voice
Literal in speech
One-sided conversations
Other Characteristics
Clumsy/awkward in sports. Why?
Easily upset by changes in routines and transitions
Tendency to rock, fidget, chew on something (hyposensitivity)
Overly sensitive to loud sounds, lights or odors (hypersensitivity)
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Savant Tendencies
Disability or ability?
Person exhibits extraordinary characteristics or talents in spite of a developmental disability
Images

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Person exhibits extraordinary characteristics or talents in spite of a developmental disability

Images
http://www.ej2hosting.com/gilmarcomuniones.es/autism-puzzle-piece-border-i4.svg
http://rlv.zcache.com/kids_i_love_dinosaurs_gifts_postcardsrc9f53548c10b4dd0aa864c3b1f1dccae_vgbaq_8byvr_512.jpg
http://autismparenthood.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/autism-toddler-300x199.jpg
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/autism/images/
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/health/worst-measles-year/index.html
http://activemindsatunh.weebly.com/uploads/9/4/1/9/9419068/7692514.jpg?341
http://d33y93cfm0wb4z.cloudfront.net/Linda/autismskills.jpg
http://www.firetown.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/US-autism-6-17-1996-2007.png
http://www.uh.edu/engines/children-athttp://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcpj7axOCt1rw0h9zo1_1280.jpg
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/01/13/60_minutes_Jake_Barnett_620_120113_1_620x350.jpg
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4017/4447790317_e1d656fe22_z.jpg?zz=1
http://www.signingtime.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/baby-pointing.jpg
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_318/1223147039Jk4kN0.jpg
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/mp/00/70/69/43/53/0070694353281_P321166_500X500.jpg
Videos
A First Signs presentation: On the Spectrum: Children and Autism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbVG8lYEsNs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5xL4SMQ6g8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR36jrx_L44
http://www.hulu.com/watch/416356