Autism – Social Hope Nicole C. White HLTH 301 Spring 2005

“ As Autistic Children Grow, So Does Social Gap” – The New York Times Children who suffer from autism can be well prepared to grow as learners; but, their social skills become more difficult as the years pass.Children who suffer from autism can be well prepared to grow as learners; but, their social skills become more difficult as the years pass. -changes in interest -difficulty in adolescence -social skills taught (how to hold a conversation, etc.) Public versus Specialized SchoolsPublic versus Specialized Schools -Last year in the public school system, 27% of the nation’s 141,022 autistic children were educated with normal children. -However, when in private or specialized school settings, their expectations are lowered, and they are not challenged academically. Literal-mindedLiteral-minded

What Is Autism? (according to MedLinePlus Medical Encyclopedia and WebMD) Autism is a developmental disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to communicate with and relate to others.Autism is a developmental disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to communicate with and relate to others. –Signs generally develop before age 3. Causes of autism still remain unknown for the most part.Causes of autism still remain unknown for the most part. –Combination of factors: GeneticsGenetics Digestive tract abnormalitiesDigestive tract abnormalities Signs & Tests:Signs & Tests: –During routine pediatrician visits, if a child fails to meet any of the following milestones, additional testing should be sought. Babbling (12 months)Babbling (12 months) Gesturing, i.e. pointing (12 months)Gesturing, i.e. pointing (12 months) Single words (16 months)Single words (16 months) 2-word spontaneous phrases, not just echoing (24 months)2-word spontaneous phrases, not just echoing (24 months) Any loss of social skills at any time.Any loss of social skills at any time.

What can be done? “Experts say it is possible to teach autistic children to be more interpersonally aware, just as it is to teach their peers to be more sensitive.” Programs school are adopting:Programs school are adopting: –Social development as an educative objective –Creating a curriculum which combines social skills groups for autistic children with school wide attention to the need for tolerance. Important for health education because these children could possible be in our classrooms, and we need to better understand their condition in order to effectively teach them the skills they need.Important for health education because these children could possible be in our classrooms, and we need to better understand their condition in order to effectively teach them the skills they need. Also, the most critical time for autistic children to develop social skills is when they are in elementary schools; and, as teachers, hopefully, along with a specialist, we can aid in their social development.Also, the most critical time for autistic children to develop social skills is when they are in elementary schools; and, as teachers, hopefully, along with a specialist, we can aid in their social development.

Additional Information: Things You Can Do (as a parent or family member):Things You Can Do (as a parent or family member): –Educate yourself about autism. –Work closely with others who care with your child. –Take care of yourself. Useful Resources:Useful Resources: –Educating Children with Autism by The Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism –Autism Society of America