CHAPTER 9: Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Historical Context Kanner’s paper (1943) Asperger’s paper (1944) Autism different from schizophrenia Never made social connections Unique language patterns No deterioration over time Asperger’s paper (1944) Autistic psychopathy: Asperger’s syndrome Average intelligence, normal language Obsessive preoccupation in narrow pursuits Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders Continuum from relatively mild to severe APA identifies two domains: Social communication impairments Repetitive/restricted behaviors Begins in early childhood Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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People with ASD often have these characteristics: Ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others Repetitive behaviors as well as limited interests or activities Symptoms that typically are recognized in the first two years of life Symptoms that negatively impact the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of life Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. Treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. Families with concerns should talk to their pediatrician about what they’ve observed and the possibility of ASD screening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) around 1 in 68 children has been identified with some form of ASD. Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

What is the difference between Asperger’s syndrome and ASD? In the past, Asperger’s syndrome and Autistic Disorder were separate disorders. They were listed as subcategories within the diagnosis of “Pervasive Developmental Disorders.” However, this separation has changed. The latest edition of the manual from the American Psychiatric Association, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), does not highlight subcategories of a larger disorder. The manual includes the range of characteristics and severity within one category. People whose symptoms were previously diagnosed as Asperger’s syndrome or Autistic Disorder are now included as part of the category called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence 0.59% students aged 6-21 with ASD 5 times higher for boys than girls Occurs in all groups Just as high, or higher, on other continents Reasons for prevalence: Widening of criteria used Greater awareness of condition Diagnostic substitution (intellectual disability) Possibility of toxins, other factors Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Causes Early causal theories Today’s causal theories Asperger posited a biological and hereditary basis Psychoanalytic ideas (Bettelheim’s “refrigerator mothers”) Today’s causal theories Neurological basis Neuronal underconnectivity Theories of hormones affecting brain development Genetic basis Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Today’s causal theories Neurological basis Neuronal underconnectivity Theories of hormones affecting brain development Genetic basis

Identification Psychiatrists use criteria of American Psychiatric Association Communication skills Social interactions Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors Behavioral observation and checklists Physician screenings should begin as early as 9 months Autistic regression in about 1 in 3 cases Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics Impaired social communication Communicative intent Joint attention Pragmatics Hidden curriculum Repetitive/restricted behaviors Stereotyped motor or verbal behaviors Hyper- and hypo-sensitivity Synaesthesia Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Attempts to Construct a Unified Theory of ASD Executive functions Working memory Inhibitory control or behavioral inhibition Mental flexibility Central coherence Bringing order and meaning to information Theory of mind Taking the perspective of other people Reading of social cues Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Educational Programming Principles Direct instruction of skills Applied behavior analysis Instruction in natural settings Behavior management Functional behavioral assessment positive behavioral support Consequences Antecedents Setting events Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Examples of Educational Programs Picture exchange communication system (PECS) Using pictures to initiate and maintain functional communication Treatment and education of autistic and related handicapped children (TEACCH) Emphasis on structure (schedules, organization, routines) Pivotal response teaching (PRT) Focus on essential skills, like initiations and responding to multiple cues Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Service Delivery Models Even when intensive instruction is offered in specialized settings, state-of-the-art teaching emphasizes the most natural possible human interactions. Preschool: natural interactions with peers in general education classrooms Elementary: increased use of cooperative learning groups Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Progress Monitoring progress in language development Natural language samples from various contexts Parent reports (questionnaires and interviews) MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventories Monitoring progress in social/adaptive behavior PDD Behavior Inventory Screening Version Social Responsiveness Scale Autism Social Skills Profile Childhood Autism Rating Scale Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Autism is not a diagnosis, it is a guideline,” she said Autism is not a diagnosis, it is a guideline,” she said. “It is half based on science, and half based on conference-room squabbles. These kids may be screened out in the educational system.” Another topic of discussion was technology and autism. Grandin said children, especially those with autism, are becoming too dependent on technology such as video games. Social skills were reinforced by her mother growing up, she said, and kids on the spectrum must be encouraged to hold summer jobs and interact with the public. “We need to get these kids out doing real things,” she said. Temple Grandin-Autism Awareness Conference Cheyanne Wyoming, 2017 Book title, #e Author Name © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Early Intervention National Research Council identified essential features: Entry in programs as early as possible Intensive instructional programming Repeated teaching in brief periods, one-on-one and small group instruction Inclusion of family component, parent training Low student/teacher ratios Ongoing progress monitoring Early intensive behavioral intervention program (EIBI) Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transition to Adulthood Fewer than 50% of young adults with ASD are employed Internships in work environments using applied behavior analysis can help Programming for those with severe ASD: Person-centered planning Community residential facilities, supported living Competitive or supported competitive employment Programming for less severe ASD: Social interaction training Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition. © 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.