Dr.

Sheldon Lee Cooper

The world from a differeent perspective
Content
• What is Autism?
• History & Background
• What causes Autism?
• How do we identify?
• Major Characteristics
• What can we do to cure?
• People with autism?
• In Sri Lanka
• Conclusion
What is Autism?
• Autism is a development disability that affects
how a person communicates with ,and relates to
other people.
• It is a spectrum condition which means that all
people with autism share different, difficulties.
According to NAS
Autism is a lifelong developmental
disability that affects how a person communicates
with, and relates to, other people. It also affects
how they make sense of the world around them.
History & Background
• 1943- Leo Kanner- Austrian Psychiatrist
Studies 11 children in his clinic and recognized that they
had a similar group of behaviors from childhood like:
Aloneness and a Lack of emotional contact
Bizarre and elaborate repetitive routines
Muteness/Abnormal speech
• 1944– Hans Asperger–Austrian Paediatrician
noticed a similar pattern of behaviours in the children he studied
like:
• Intense interest in particular subjects
• Unsuitable social attitudes to other people
• Poor organization and lack of realism
• Good grammar but monotone speech, and also no two
way conversation.
What causes Autism?
• Autism is caused by abnormalities in brain development,
neurochemistry, and genetic factors
How do we identify?
• There is no definite medical test
• Can use interviews, observation, and specific
checklists
• Team might include neurologist, psychologist,
developmental pediatrician, speech/language
therapist, learning consultant, etc.
• Must run out MR, hearing injuries, behavior
disorders or eccentric habits
Ordinary Person
Simply through the behavior,
• No real fear of dangers
• Sustained unusual or repetitive play
• May avoid eye contact
• May prefer to be alone
• Difficulty in expressing needs; May use gestures
• Inappropriate attachments to objects
• Echoes words or phrases
Major Characteristics
Social Communication
Social Interaction
Social Imagination
Social Communication
Social communication is where people with autism
have difficulties in understanding:
• Facial expressions
• Tone of voice
• Common gestures
• Eye contact
• Body language
• Giving and receiving verbal and non-verbal
communication
• For good communication,
1. Physical Support
2. Initial training/introduction
3. Maintaining focus
4. Avoiding competence testing
5. Generalization
6. Fading
Social Interaction
Social interaction is where people with autism
struggle with:
• Understanding their own and other people’s feelings and
emotions
• Forming relationships and making friends.
• People can appear unresponsive, indifferent and
withdrawn.
Social Imagination
Social imagination is where people with autism
have difficulties comprehending:

•Abstract concepts and ideas

•People’s actions, emotions, behaviours and consequences
•Solutions to life outside of their routines
What can we do to cure?
• Speak clearly in short sentences using plain
language
• Give the individual time to process the
information that they are asked
• Be patient, give them time and do not rush them
• A persons frustrations and anger may come
from their fear and anxiety
• Talk to family and carers to find out about the
person
• Be prepared to explain complex information
and repeat it often
• Support the person and prepare them for
change
• Be mindful of the importance of their routines
and structure, it makes them feel safe and
secure
• Everyone is unique, accept difference and do
not separate.
If parents accept
AUTISM
the world will too
 People with autism?
• Albert Einstein
He had an obsession with physics (his interest). Albert Einstein
also had a lack of social empathy and a lack of tact.

 Mozart
Repeated facial expressions and constant movement of his
hands. Mozart also had very sensitive hearing
Dr.Sheldon Lee Cooper {B.S., M.S.,
M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D.}

• Capacity to remember complex information and solve

mathematical problems
• Photographic memory
• Doesn’t like hugs or physical contact
• Fiercely guarding his spot on the couch
• Strict routines about what he eats on each day and having
particular pajamas for each night of the week
• Doesn’t like change and struggles to adapt
• Sheldon struggles to pick up sarcasm in conversation and
most non-verbal cues.
In Sri Lanka
• Sri Lankan Association for Child Development (SLACD) has
organized a all island campaign to inform and share the
knowledge about Autism with the people named as “Let’s fall
in before Autism”.
• They have associate with the local media and currently doing a
great job against Autism.
• They also establish a Autism Trust Fund to help who really
need the help. 014460000166 - Account Number
• If you need any kind of information about autism call them on

0117490000
Conclusion