Understanding Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders ESE 380 March 24/26, 2009

IDEA Definition of Autism Autism is a developmental disability that significantly affects a student’s verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and educational performance. It is generally evident before a child reaches age 3 and is manifest when the child engages in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resists environmental change or changes in daily routines, and displays unusual responses to sensory experiences.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Autistic Disorder Rett’s Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Asperger’s Syndrome Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Some Statistics Males are 4 times more likely to have autism than females (4:1) Autism affects approximately 1 of every 150 children (1 in every 94 boys) Arizona experienced a 22.8% increase in children with autism from 2004 to 2005 New Hampshire experienced a 58% increase New Jersey has the highest prevalence of autism in U.S. (1 in 95 children)

Typical Characteristics Atypical language development Atypical social development Repetitive behaviors Problem behaviors Need for environmental predictability Sensory and movement disorders Differences in intellectual functioning

Problem Behaviors Self-injurious behaviors Aggression Obtain something positive Avoid or escape something unpleasant Increase or decrease sensory stimulation

Etiology Abnormality in brain development Neurochemistry Genetic factors

Interventions Functional behavior assessment Positive behavior supports Social stories

The FBA Specify a target behavior Identify events before, during, and after target behavior (antecedents and consequences) Identify the setting event (obtain something, escape or avoid something, increase or decrease sensory stimulation)

Positive Behavior Supports