CoPA Meeting Update on ASD Maureen A. Conroy, PhD May 15, 2009 Check who is in the audience Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

Historical Perspective Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

Historical Perspective WHERE’S AUTISM? Harder to find children dx with autism—prevalence rates were around 1 in 1000 No educational category as part of Part B of IDEA until the 1990 reauthorization Kids were labeled as MR or possibly EBD Thought majority of kids had comorbid MR Thought HFA were rainmen Had little idea or perspective about the true “spectrum” of autism Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 3

Current Trends Where we are now. Where will we be in 10, 15, 20 years? Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

Spotlight on ASD Increased focus on autism research and intervention in legislation, media, & funding agencies National Combating Autism Act Interagency Autism Coordinating Council Autism Centers of Excellence (http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/MINDInstitute/) National Professional Development Center on ASD Increase in autism research budget State & Local Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services TTAC focus on ASD (APP) Commonwealth Autism Services (CAS) Virginia Autism Council (VAC) Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC) Communities of Practice in Autism (CoPA) University Centers Combating autism act & others on list on reference list Ami Klin (Yale University): to study early social interactions and development and disruptions in these processes in children ages 12-24 months with ASD. Sally Rogers - MIND Institute IACC Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

Where are we now? Autism is an epidemic! 1 in 150 children will receive a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (Centers for Disease Control, 2006) Crosses class, racial, ethnic, and geographical boundaries 2nd most common developmental disability We need more service providers We need more training We need more teachers and early interventionists We need more research and money to do research Cure vs. treatments Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 6

Why is autism an epidemic? There may really be more children with ASD Better screening and diagnostic tools We now have a “spectrum” Genetic factors Identifying children with autism earlier Screening & dx tools—we’re picking up HFA kids now who used to slip through the cracks & more first level responders (pediatricians) using those tools Genetic factors—families who have 1 child with autism are more likely to have another child with autism Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 7

What is autism? Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

What is autism? Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder Onset prior to age 3 Syndrome/Spectrum Disorder Social relatedness difficulties Communication impairments Behavioral excesses Perinatal Insult Genetic Liability Environmental Trigger Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

What is autism? 4-5 times more prevalent in boys than girls 10 4-5 times more prevalent in boys than girls Occurs on a behavioral continuum 50-75% of individuals have comorbid mental retardation 15-20% have average or above average intelligence Dimensions of Autism IQ HI Age Age—bimodel onset of epilepsy (in childhood or adolescence), needs of family & child change as the person with autism ages Families with young children typically want information & resources on treatment options. They want to see if there is a cure Families of older children become concerned about the individual’s independence & what their life will be like when the parents are no longer physically able to care for them Mild Symptoms Severe LO Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 10

Lifelong Disorder 2-3 years of age—aloof/passive; social/communication symptoms 4-5 years of age—increase in a variety of repetitive behaviors >5 years of age—increase in social interest Adolescence—social inappropriateness amplified Adulthood—1-2% live independently; 1/3 have some degree of independence; 2/3 require supervision >5—children have received intervention, they’ve had longer and more frequent access to peers, so with some children we may start to see an increase in social interest Adolescence—around issues of dating & sexuality; typical teenagers aren’t always the nicest bunch (peer pressure); teasing Conroy (2009) Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 11

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