Download Autism

Autism
What is it
and what do I do?
Presented by
Denise Dasinger
Gadsden City Schools
Autism Statistics
1980-1 in every 10,000 births
1990-1 in every 500 births
2000-1 in every 200 births
(CDC 200
(CDC 2007)
(CDC 2007)
Today- 1 in every 150 births
(CDC 2007)
Autism
Is the fastest-growing serious
developmental disorder in the
United States.
Autism
A child with autism may initially
appear to develop normally.
At some point they start showing
signs of regression.
What role does inheritance
play?
Recent studies strongly suggest
that some people have a genetic
predisposition to autism.
Researchers are looking for clues
about which genes contribute to
this increased susceptibility.
What role does inheritance
play?
Evidence also suggests that some
emotional disorders, such as manic
depression, occur more frequently
than average in the families of
people with autism.
Autism
Autism is more common in
boys than girls.
Basic Criteria for ASD:
Early onset (before 3-5 years of age)
Severe abnormality of reciprocal Social
relatedness
Severe abnormality of Communication
development
Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped
patterns of Behavior, interests, activities,
and imagination
Abnormal responses to sensory stimuli
Social Interaction
Child spends time alone rather than
with others
Shows little interest in making
friends
Less responsive to social cues such
as eye contact or smiles
Social Interaction
Doesn’t point to objects or show them
to others
Doesn’t make eye contact at appropriate
times
Doesn’t look at other people’s faces as
much
Doesn’t respond to facial expressions or
body language
Social Interaction
Doesn’t smile back at others
Lack of peer relationships
appropriate to age level
Less interest in other children
Not motivated by praise or physical
affection
Doesn’t clearly demonstrate
sympathy or empathy
Play
Lack of spontaneous or imaginative
play
Communication
Language develops slowly or not at all
Uses words without attaching meaning
Communicates with gestures instead of words
Short attention span
Difficulty initiating conversation
Echolalia (repeating words or phrases instead of using normal
language)
Doesn’t respond to name
Doesn’t use or respond to gestures and other nonverbal cues
Behaviors
Engages in highly repetitive play
Child may be overactive or very passive
Throws tantrums for no apparent reason
Doesn’t respond to name
Doesn’t use or respond to gestures and other nonverbal cues
Perseverates
Lack of common sense
May show aggression to others or self
Often has difficulty with changes in routine
Autism Signs and Symptoms
Children with autism and other autism
spectrum disorders typically display a
range of identifiable symptoms.
By being aware of these signs, parents
can help spot the disorder at an earlier
age, which greatly improves a child’s
overall prognosis.
The trademark attribute of autism
is impaired social interaction. A
child dealing with autism may not be
able to respond to his or her own
name and will in most instances
avoid looking at other people
altogether.
How is autism diagnosed?
Autism varies widely in its severity
and symptoms and may go
unrecognized, especially in mildly
affected children or when it is
masked by a more debilitating
handicap.
Doctors rely on a core group of
behaviors to alert them to the
possibility of a diagnosis of autism.
Behaviors used to diagnose
ASD
Impaired ability to make friends
with peers
Impaired ability to initiate or
sustain a conversation with others
Absence or impairment of
imaginative and social play
Stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual
use of language
Behaviors used to diagnose
ASD
Patterns of interest that are
abnormal in intensity or focus
Preoccupation with certain objects
or subjects
Inflexible to specific routines or
rituals
Autism spectrum disorders are part
of a category of conditions
recognized by the American
Psychiatric Association as pervasive
developmental disorders (PDD).
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Asperger Syndrome
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS)
Asperger’s
Children with autistic behaviors but
well-developed language skills are
often diagnosed with Asperger’s
syndrome.
Asperger’s Syndrome
Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
often have impressive vocabularies
and sharp cognitive skills, but
display serious difficulties with
social interaction.
The two hallmark clinical characteristics
of Asperger’s Disorder are significant
impairment of social interaction and
development of restricted or obsessive
patterns of interests, activities, and
behaviors.
No significant delay in language
acquisition.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Not Otherwise Specified
(PDD-NOS)
Also known as "atypical autism," PDDNOS is a diagnosis given to children who
exhibit some symptoms of autism or
other pervasive developmental disorder,
but do not meet the specific diagnostic
criteria for any one disorder in
particular.
How is autism treated?
While there is currently no cure
for autism, there are a wide variety
of treatments.
The ideal treatment plan
coordinates therapies and
interventions that target the core
symptoms of autism.
Autism Treatments
Behavioral Analysis - ABA
TEACCH – UNC Chapel Hill
Floortime – Stanley Greenspan
PRT-Pivotal Response Treatment
RDI – Relationship Development
Intervention
Emphasizing the SPECTRUM
Similar but Different
People with ASD differ greatly.
They are individuals with unique
personalities.
No two people with ASD will have the
same symptoms.
Symptoms will range from mild to
severe across individuals.
What should professionals in
the field be thinking about?
At four months, is your child…
Following and reacting to bright colors, movement, and objects?
Turning towards sound?
Showing and interest in watching people’s faces?
Smiling back when you smile?
The cornerstone of healthy
development is social reciprocity –
that back and forth, continuous
flow of gestures, communication,
and play.
Significant warning signs of
autism.
Lack of gestures: pointing, reaching, waving, showing
Lack of sharing interest or enjoyment of others
Repetitive movement with objects
Lack of appropriate eye gaze
Lack of response to name (something parents report
very frequently)
Lack of warm, joyful expressions
Unusual prosody (rhythm and intonation of language)
Repetitive movements or posturing of the body
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com
Is Early Intervention Effective?
The difference can be dramatic. Today there is
tremendous hope for progress.
Recent studies suggest one year of early
intervention, before the age of five, is
equivalent to five years of elementary
intervention.
An early support system for the child and the
family can make all of the difference.
The puzzle piece shape is used
in symbols relating to autism.