What we will learn today:

Definition of autism

Ranges of autism

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Facts Vs. Myths

At the end of this lesson you will hopefully gain some new awareness about
Autism.

What is Autism?
By: Brittni yocum
Edu 280

Definition of Autism Spectrum

Disorder:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

is a range of complex
neurodevelopment disorders,
characterized by social
impairments, communication
difficulties, and restricted,
repetitive, and stereotyped
patterns of behavior.

What is Autism?
Youtube.com

Ranges of Autism

Autistic disorder, sometimes

called autism or classical ASD, is
the most severe form of ASD,
while other conditions along the
spectrum include a milder form
known as Asperger syndrome,
and childhood disintegrative
disorder and pervasive
developmental disorder not
otherwise specified.

Causes

There is no known single cause for autism spectrum disorder, but it is

generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure
or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of
the brain in children with autism compared to in neurotypical children.
Researchers do not know the exact cause of autism but are investigating
a number of theories, including the links among heredity, genetics and
medical problems.

Symptoms

Early indicators include:

no babbling or pointing by age 1

no single words by 16 months or

two-word phrases by age 2

Later indicators include:

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

no response to name

loss of language or social skills

stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of

language

poor eye contact

excessive lining up of toys or

objects

restricted patterns of interest that are

abnormal in intensity or focus

preoccupation with certain objects or

subjects

no smiling or social
Symptoms of ASD AND
responsiveness.

inflexible adherence to specific routines

or rituals.

Non-ASD Children
Youtube.com

Diagnosis

Any of these red flags does not mean your child has autism. But
because thedisorders symptoms vary so widely, a child showing these
behaviors should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. This team
might include a neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician,
speech/language therapist, learning consultant or other professionals
who are knowledgeable about autism.

Treatment
There is no cure for ASDs.

Educational/behavioral interventions: Therapists use highly structured and intensive skilloriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills, such as Applied
Behavioral Analysis. Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with an ASD
often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with a child with an ASD.

Medications: Doctors may prescribe medications for treatment of specific autism-related

symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Antipsychotic
medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems. Seizures can be treated with one or
more anticonvulsant drugs. Medication used to treat people with attention deficit disorder can
be used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.

Other therapies: There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available,

but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies. Parents should use caution before adopting
any unproven treatments. Although dietary interventions have been helpful in some children,
parents should be careful that their childs nutritional status is carefully followed.

Facts and Statistics

About 1 percent of the world

population has autism
spectrum disorder.

Prevalence in the United

States is estimated at 1 in
68 births.

More than 3.5 million

Americans live with an
autism spectrum disorder.

Prevalence of autism in U.S.

children increased by 119.4
percent from 2000 (1 in 150)
to 2010 (1 in 68). Autism is
the fastest-growing
developmental disability

Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Autism is caused by vaccines.

There is no evidence that childhood vaccination causes autism. A 1998
study linking autism with vaccines has since been retracted.

Myth: Individuals with autism are unable or unwilling to form

meaningful social relationships.
Though many individuals with autism have difficulty with social
interaction, they can have close social relationships, fall in love and have
children.

Myth: All individuals with autism have mental disabilities.

Individuals on the autism spectrum are unique, with a wide range of
intellectual abilities that easily can be under- or over-estimated. Tests
designed to include language and interpersonal analyses may
misrepresent the intelligence of people with autism, who struggle with
social skills, and individuals with autism may have difficulty with tasks
considered simple, but quickly master complex tasks and concepts.
Individuals on the autism spectrum have also earned college and
graduate degrees and work in a variety of professions. Conversely, it
may be assumed that an individual with autism has a higher level of
understanding than they do, based on their behavior, language skills or
high-level of ability in a specific area.

Can You Spot Autism?

Youtube.com
Activity

Autism Song
Youtube.com