Spotting Signs oF Autism

From Birth through Kindergarten

This presentation is brought to you by Leslie Burby of Autism Parenting Magazine. More Information can be Found at www.AutismParentingMagazine.com

Five Most Common Types of Autism

What I thought Autism WAS

Loses abilities that once had Cant walk Delayed Speech Doesnt make eye contact

Then I became a parent

CDC if youre concernedACT early

Should you be concerned?

The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network

Most not diagnosed until after age 4 Aspergers the median diagnosed age is 6 Parents notice a developmental delay by 6 months

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

At birth
Your baby slept through the night? You are so lucky. Was I? Babies are supposed to wake when hungry.

feeding issues

I mean not being able to get a baby to drink from a bottle or having a baby with such low muscle tone that they dont even have enough facial muscles to suck formula without half the contents running down their chin.

Developmental Milestones

Cognition (thinking, problem-solving, etc) Motor Coordination (gross/fine) Social Interaction (initiating peer contact) Adaptive (dressing, eating, washing)

Please note that having a developmental delay in one or a few categories DOES NOT make a child autistic. There needs to be a combination of several delays and sensory issues to warrant a series of tests for a diagnosis.

Motor delays

By age one Gross Motor sits without support crawls pulls self to standing position and stands unaided walks with aid rolls a ball in imitation of adult Fine Motor reaches, grasps, puts object in mouth picks things up with pincer grasp (thumb and one finger) transfers object from one hand to the other drops and picks up toy

Motor skills by age 2

Between ages one and two

Gross Motor
walks walks picks pulls seats walks

alone backwards up toys from floor without falling

toys, pushes toys self in child size chair up and down stairs with hand held to music

moves

Fine Motor
builds puts

tower of three small blocks five pegs in pegboard

four rings on stick pages two or three at a time knobs small ball with whole arm movement, shifts hands, makes strokes

places turns

scribbles turns

throws paints

Six months old

Not placing feet on floor

Using feet against hard surface

Speech/Lang Milestones

Recognizes name Says 2-3 words Imitates familiar words Understands simple instructions Recognizes words as symbols for objects (car: garage)
By Age One

Understands NO Uses 10-20 words Combines two words Waves good-bye Plays pat-a-cake Makes animal sounds Points to body parts Uses words like more
By Age Two

Sensory Issues
More than just 5 senses! 3 Less Known Senses: 1. Vestibular-feeling of balance, movement and position in space 2. Proprioceptive body awareness and posture 3. Interoceptive internal body and organ perception and regulation

No need for a playpen my daughter wouldnt leave a blanket for fear of touching the prickly grass.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Hypo= less sensitive Hyposensitive Vestibular Dysfunction

Craves fast, spinning, and/or intense movement experiences Loves being tossed in the air Could spin for hours and never appear to be dizzy Always spinning in a swivel chair/getting upside down positions Loves to swing as high as possible and for long periods of time Is a "thrill-seeker"; dangerous at times Rocks body, shakes leg/s, or head while sitting Likes sudden or quick movements

SPD continued
Hyper = more sensitive Hypersensitivity to Oral Input

Extremely picky eater (diet mainly of mushy things) Drinks must be a certain temp Extremely picky about cups and feel of nipples Never mouthed objects

My Daughters list

As a toddler Mary Is constantly seeking thrill Loves to swing as high and fast as possible Becomes distressed about having nails clipped or things in her hair Likes to wear hats/hoods Must have a hat/hood on to keep her hair from flapping against her head when jumping or swinging Hates the wind or anything that causes her hair to move Has frequent temper tantrums that can last 45 minutes Has many mood swings Becomes violent at times with herself (for no apparent reason will start hitting herself on the head or head-banging things) Needs to be wrestled down to have her diaper changed Likes to wear sunglasses Does not stay asleep very easily awaken Is nearly impossible to get to sleep Loves hugs...although they usually have to be requested or initiated by her Likes to sit on different objects will sit on books, boxes, cans, toys, etc. Sucks two fingers upside-down to soothe self Randomly throws herself onto the floor Is extremely difficult to feed (she is a very picky) In constant motion when sitting or excited her legs and arms are constantly flailing Bangs or hits her head not just when frustrated Purposefully sticks her fingers in the back of her throat to initiate her gag-reflex Seems very lazy if anything is too heavy or too much work she gives up

Comorbid Issues

Gastrointestinal disorders Sensory problems Seizures and epilepsy Intellectual disability Fragile X syndrome ADHD Bipolar disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder Tourette syndrome General anxiety disorder Tuberous sclerosis Clinical depression Visual problems.

http://autism-help.org/comorbid-disorders-autistic-spectrum.htm

Early Intervention

Who to turn to

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) at 1-800-695-0285 or visit http://nichcy.org/

Birth to Three Program www.birth23.org

Department of Developmental Services www.ct.gov/dds

Click icon to add picture

Who to turn to
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) at 1800-695-0285 or visit http://nichcy.org/

Birth to Three Program www.birth23.org

Department of Developmental Services www.ct.gov/dds

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