Overview

What is Autism?
Is there more than one type of Autism? What causes Autism? How is Autism diagnosed? What are the characteristics of Autism? What are the most effective approaches to treating

Autism? Is there a cure?

WHAT IS AUTISM?
Very complex, often baffling developmental disability First described by Leo Kanner in 1943 as early infantile autism Auto children are locked within themselves. For next 30 years, considered to be an emotional disturbance

WHAT IS AUTISM?
3 categories for autism in IDEA?
Today, autism is a severe form of a broader group of

disorders These are referred to as pervasive developmental disorders (later) Typically appears during the first 3 years of life

WHAT IS AUTISM?
Very likely neurological in origin not emotional, not the refrigerator mom
Prevalence figures vary widely (textbook says 5/10,000, but recent data say as high as 1/1000 or even 1/500. 4 times more prevalent in boys No known racial, ethnic, or social boundaries No relation to family income, lifestyle

WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism impacts normal development of the brain in

areas of social interaction and communication skills. Difficult to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. Occasionally, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES?

Actually, the umbrella heading is Pervasive

Developmental Disorder (PDD). Autism is one of the 5 PDDs. All have commonalities in communication and social deficits Differ in terms of severity

1. Autistic Disorder
Impairments in social interaction, communication,

and imaginative play. Apparent before age 3. Also includes stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities

2. Aspergers Disorder
Impairments in social interactions, and presence of

restricted interests and activities No clinically significant general delay in language Average to above average intelligence

3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Often referred to as atypical autism
Used when a child does not meet the criteria for a

specific diagnosis, but there is severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors

4. Retts Disorder
Progressive disorder which, to date, has only occurred

in girls. Period of normal development and then the loss of previously acquired skills Also loss of purposeful use of hands, which is replaced by repetitive hand movements Beginning at age of 1-4 years

5. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Normal development for at least the first 2 years
Then significant loss of previously acquired skills

Conclusions on Types
Autism is a spectrum disorder This means that symptoms and characteristics can present themselves in wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe Autistic individuals can be very different from each other Autism is still commonly used to refer to any of the 5 PDDs

What causes (and doesnt cause) autism?

Good agreement in general that autism is caused by

abnormalities in brain development, neurochemistry, and genetic factors Bettleheims theory of psychogenesis?

How is Autism Diagnosed?

No definitive medical test
Team uses interviews, observation, and specific checklists developed for this purpose. Team might include neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant, etc. Must rule out MR, hearing impairment, behavior disorders, or eccentric habits

CHARACTERISTICS
1. Communication/Language
2. Social Interaction 3. Behaviors 4. Sensory and movement disorders 5. Resistance to change (predictability) 6. Intellectual functioning

1. Communication/language
Broad range of abilities, from no verbal

communication to quite complex skills Two common impairments: A. Delayed language B. Echolalia

A. Delayed language
50% of autistic individuals will eventually have useful speech (?)
Pronoun reversal: You want white icing on chocolate cake. Difficulty in conversing easily with others Difficulty in shifting topics Look away; poor eye contact Facilitated communication??????

Elements of Facilitated Communication

1. Physical Support
2. Initial training/introduction 3. Maintaining focus 4. Avoiding competence testing 5. Generalization 6. Fading

B. Echolalia
Common in very young children (Age 3)
Immediate or delayed (even years) Is there communicative intent with echolalia?

2. Social Interaction

One of hallmarks of autism is lack of social interaction 1. Impaired use of nonverbal behavior 2. Lack of peer relationships 3. Failure to spontaneously share enjoyment, interests, etc. with others 4. Lack of reciprocity Theory of mind?

3. Behaviors
Repetitive behaviors, including obsessions, tics, and

perseveration Impeding behaviors (impede their learning or the learning of others) Will need positive behavior supports A. Self-injurious behavior B. Aggression

4. Sensory and movement disorders

Very common
Over- or under-sensitive to sensory stimuli Abnormal posture and movements of the face,

head, trunk, and limbs Abnormal eye movements Repeated gestures and mannerisms Movement disorders can be detected very early perhaps at birth

5. Predictability
Change in routine is very stressful
May insist on particular furniture arrangement, food at

meals, TV shows Symmetry is often important Interventions need to focus on preparing students for change if possible

6. Intellectual functioning
Autism occurs in children of all levels of intelligence,

from those who are gifted to those who have mental retardation In general, majority of individuals with autism are also identified as having mental retardation 75% below 70 Verbal and reasoning skills are difficult Savant syndrome

Interventions
1. Individualization and early intervention are the keys
2. Include life skills, functional academics, and

vocational preparation 3. Positive behavior support 4. Social stories (music therapy?) 5. Lovaas model

Thank you
Contact Us : http://cerebrabraintech.com/ info@cerebrabraintech.com https://www.facebook.com/cerebraturbobrain