AUTISTIC DISORDER Devonta Price Mrs. Marsh Psychology Period 6

AUTISTIC DISORDER  A disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by deficient communication, social interaction, and understanding of others states of mind.  Children are diagnosed with autism before the age of 3(usually as infants).

ASSOCIATED FEATURES  Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level  Lack of social or emotional reciprocity  A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people  Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

ASSOCIATED FEATURES  Lack of grammar skills  Self damaging behaviors  Regressive behaviors  Soiling of clothes by defecating or urinating.

ETIOLOGY  Biological  Autistic disorder may be inherited from another family member  Environment  Detached parenting

PREVALENCE  According to the American Psychiatric Association, autism occurs in about 2 to 20 out of 10,000 children

TREATMENT  Medication  Behavioral treatment programs  Used to achieve normal intellectual and educational functioning

PROGNOSIS  Three fourths of children diagnosed with autistic disorder become mentally retarded  Some have long-term issues to live as independent adults

REFERENCES Psych Central.(2010). Autistic disorder: symptoms Halgin, R.P.& Whitbourne,S.K.(2005).Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychology(New York, NY): Mcgraw-Hill