1. Autism Spectrum Disorder Origins and Treatment Considerations by Elijah Levy, Ph.D (562)

2. Dr. Elijah Levy
Director of Founders Outreach: A nonprofit center providing psychosocial rehabilitation to 90 mentally ill residents at Founders House of Hope (18 years) Ph.D . in Clinical Psychology, 25 years experience treating the mentally ill in inpatient and residential care settings implementing psychiatric/psychosocial rehabilitation programs. Adjunct Faculty at University of Redlands teaching in the undergraduate and graduate school (23 years) and adjunct at Southern California University of Health Sciences teaching psychology (2 years). Director of The Levy Launch: A Consulting & Resource Center providing corporate education and training, management development and strategy consultation. Author of two books and editor of anthology of poetry written by the mentally ill, producer of documentary on mental illness. Awarded excellence in teaching award several times and history of recognition for volunteering.
Good bio on Elie to establish credibility as an expert in this field

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder
The causes remain unknown, is linked to abnormal biology and chemistry of the brain, chromosomal abnormalities
It occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups
Males are 4 times more likely than females to have ASD; females with autism are likely to have severe mental retardation
Conditions are seen on a spectrum

4. Causes of Autism
It is likely that genetics and environment play a role
We see chromosomal abnormalities, congenital infections
Structural abnormalities of central nervous system
We see irregularities in regions of the brain
Biochemistry reveals abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters
We see disruption of normal brain development in fetal period caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and how brain cells communicate
Research involves identifying which genes contribute to susceptibility for autism
It can be inherited

5. Appears in the first 3 years of life; unlike Schizophrenia, where we have years of normal development followed by acute psychotic episode
Increased incidence may be due to newer definitions of autism; now includes wider spectrum
Characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors
May have co-occurring disorders such as ADD, Tourette’s, Mental Retardation and about 20%-30% of these children develop epilepsy as adults

6. Scope of Impairments Communication Impairments:
Cannot start or maintain conversation
Communicates with gestures/not words
Develops language slowly or no language
Repeats words
Does not refer to self correctly
Social interaction Impairments:
Does not make friends or play interactive games, withdrawal
May not respond to eye contact or smiles, treats others as objects, prefers to spend time alone, shows lack of empathy, prefers solitary play

7. Response to Sensory Information:
Does not startle to loud noises, heightened or low sense of sight, hearing, touch, smell or taste
Withdraw from physical contact, rubs surfaces, licks objects
Behaviors
Shows narrow interests, repetitive body movements, can be aggressive towards others
May be overactive or very passive; no imaginative play
Short attention span; inflexible adherence to routines/rituals

8. There is no cure for autism
Treatment
Experienced clinicians compose a team of professional providing the following:
Applied Behavior Analysis: one to one teaching approach reinforcing practice of skills; intensive, skill oriented training to develop language and social skills
Family counseling, support groups
Medications
Occupational Therapy
Speech Language Therapy
Sensory Integration and Vision Therapy
There is no cure for autism

9. Contact Information
Dr. Elijah Levy
(562)
Website: