What is Autism? It is one of five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) The spectrum… Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD’s) Milder symptoms

Characteristics Autism is a neurological disorder Communication challenges Communication challenges Social deficits, limited or non-communicative, no eye contact Social deficits, limited or non-communicative, no eye contact Origins are neurological and or environmental Origins are neurological and or environmental Repetitious behaviors—i.e. flapping and rocking Repetitious behaviors—i.e. flapping and rocking Difficulty with life changes or transitions Difficulty with life changes or transitions Unable to interact with peers as student progresses— (impulse control) Unable to interact with peers as student progresses— (impulse control)

PDD Autism, the most commonly known. Autism, the most commonly known. Asperger’s syndrome—high functioning form Asperger’s syndrome—high functioning form Rett syndrome Rett syndrome Childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller’s syndrome) late onset—low function form of autism. Childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller’s syndrome) late onset—low function form of autism. Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which includes atypical autism. Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which includes atypical autism.

When autism symptoms manifest (CDC) Typically, behaviors are noticed in children which set them apart from other children before the age of three. Typically, behaviors are noticed in children which set them apart from other children before the age of three. Prevalence of Autism is approximately 1 in 100 births. Prevalence of Autism is approximately 1 in 100 births. Approximately 4 times as many males are diagnosed than girls. Approximately 4 times as many males are diagnosed than girls. The reason for this is still unknown. The reason for this is still unknown.

CDC continued CDC continued New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation. New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation. A Dr. Zardhony of the CDC asserts this is true because of the “comprehensive reporting system and the relative awareness of autism in the state of New Jersey.” A Dr. Zardhony of the CDC asserts this is true because of the “comprehensive reporting system and the relative awareness of autism in the state of New Jersey.” The prevalence of Autism in the state of NY is the second highest in the nation. The prevalence of Autism in the state of NY is the second highest in the nation.

Autism and the Brain Research is still unclear on how autism affects the brain. Research is still unclear on how autism affects the brain. There are genetic implications. Perhaps genetic mutations… There are genetic implications. Perhaps genetic mutations… There are theories, although unsubstantiated, that vaccines may contribute to the development of this disorder. There are theories, although unsubstantiated, that vaccines may contribute to the development of this disorder.

Aggression and Autism There are reports that students can act out in aggressively during tantrum like behavior. Such as self injurious behaviors, biting, kicking, hitting etc. There are reports that students can act out in aggressively during tantrum like behavior. Such as self injurious behaviors, biting, kicking, hitting etc. Aggression is known to occur when students have difficulty with communication or are required to respond according to specific guidelines. The source of the aggression tends to be linked to frustration when a child with autism has difficulty communicating. Aggression is known to occur when students have difficulty with communication or are required to respond according to specific guidelines. The source of the aggression tends to be linked to frustration when a child with autism has difficulty communicating.

Treatment There is no known cure… There is no known cure… Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focusing on antecedent (cause or function) and behavioral consequences. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focusing on antecedent (cause or function) and behavioral consequences. Discrete Trial Training (DTT) Discrete Trial Training (DTT) Structured Teaching Structured Teaching Physical Therapy (PT) Physical Therapy (PT)

Treatment continued RTI Response to intervention RTI Response to intervention Alternative approaches—option.org Alternative approaches—option.org Occupational therapy Occupational therapy Sensory integration therapy Sensory integration therapy Speech therapy Speech therapy The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Aspberger’s Syndrome Identified by Hans Asperger in 1938 Identified by Hans Asperger in 1938 The manifestations of autism cover a broad spectrum, ranging from individuals with severe impairments—who may be silent, mentally disabled, and locked into hand flapping and rocking—to high functioning individuals who may have energetic but distinctly impoverished social approaches, narrowly focused interests, and highly detailed almost excessive communication. The manifestations of autism cover a broad spectrum, ranging from individuals with severe impairments—who may be silent, mentally disabled, and locked into hand flapping and rocking—to high functioning individuals who may have energetic but distinctly impoverished social approaches, narrowly focused interests, and highly detailed almost excessive communication.

Cont. Asperger’s Aspberger's is not characterized by a deficit in language development. Aspberger's is not characterized by a deficit in language development. Typically they are viewed as high functioning. Typically they are viewed as high functioning. Aspberger's and other ASD’s are approximately 6 in 100 births. Aspberger's and other ASD’s are approximately 6 in 100 births. Typically within the Autism Spectrum students are diagnosed from Low Functioning to medium functioning and high functioning. Typically within the Autism Spectrum students are diagnosed from Low Functioning to medium functioning and high functioning.

Diagnosis The diagnosis of Autism and ASD’s has a steep upward trajectory since the early 1980’s. The diagnosis of Autism and ASD’s has a steep upward trajectory since the early 1980’s. This is due to the increased attention paid to students and their success in satisfying developmental benchmarks—as well as increased awareness. This is due to the increased attention paid to students and their success in satisfying developmental benchmarks—as well as increased awareness. Diagnosis is directly linked to behavioral assessment. Diagnosis is directly linked to behavioral assessment.

Case study Class divides itself into groups of no larger than 4-5 students. Class divides itself into groups of no larger than 4-5 students. Answer questions connected with case study and discuss. Answer questions connected with case study and discuss. Reassemble near the end of class debrief on case study and how the groups answered questions. Reassemble near the end of class debrief on case study and how the groups answered questions.