1. Autism

2. WHAT IS Autism Spectrum Disorder?
What is your preconceived notion or idea when you hear or see the term autism?
Preconceived feelings?
Rainman?, a child rocking in the corner?, based on your previous education and own experience with people

3. WHAT IS Autism Spectrum Disorder?
The fastest growing diagnoses of childhood (from ‘91 to ‘99-up 1108%)
Very complex, often baffling developmental disability
First described by Leo Kanner in 1943 as early infantile autism
“Auto” – children are “locked within themselves.”
For next 30 years, considered to be an emotional disturbance

4. WHAT IS ASD?
Today, autism is a severe form of a broader group of disorders
These are referred to as pervasive developmental disorders
Typically appears during the first 3 years of life
Expressed very differently – a wide range of abilities, strengths and limitations.

5. WHAT IS ASD? Neurological in origin – 4 times more prevalent in boys
No known racial, ethnic, or social boundaries
No relation to family income, lifestyle

6. WHAT IS ASD?
Autism impacts normal development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication skills and behavior.
Difficult to communicate with others and relate to the outside world.
Occasionally, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present.

7. WHAT IS ASD?
May exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking).
Unusual responses to people
Attachment to objects
Resistance to change in routine
Sensory sensitivities

8. WHAT ARE THE TYPES?
Actually, the “umbrella” heading is Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
Autism is one of the 5 PDDs. For now – DSM IV
All have commonalities in communication and social deficits

9. 1. Autistic Disorder
Impairments in social interaction, communication, and imaginative play.
Apparent before age 3.
Also includes stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities
Autism added to the DSM III in 1980

10. 2. Asperger’s Disorder
Impairments in social interactions, and presence of restricted interests and activities
No clinically significant general delay in language
Average to above average intelligence
Hans Asperger – a Vienese medical student– 1944 – his work not translated into English until 1981 and entered into the DSM IV in 1994
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®)

11. 3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Often referred to as atypical autism
Used when a child does not meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis, but there is severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors
Entered into the DSM IV in 1987 revision

12. 4. Rett’s Disorder
Progressive disorder which, almost exclusively occurs in females
Period of normal development and then the loss of previously acquired skills
Also loss of purposeful use of hands, which is replaced by repetitive hand movements
Beginning at age of 1-2 years, typically in first 5 months
Characterized by head growth deceleration and loss of previously acquired skills between 5-48 months
Entered into the DSM IV in 1994

13. 5. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Normal growth and development prior to manifesting social interaction (generally the first 2 years)
Then significant loss of previously acquired skills in at least 2 of the following areas(language, social skills, adaptive behavior, bowel or bladder control, play, or motor skills) before the age of 10
Entered into the DSM IV in 1994

14. IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Autism was not an official disability category under federal education law until 1990

15. Conclusions on Types Autism is a spectrum disorder
This means that symptoms and characteristics can present themselves in wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe
Individuals with autism can be very different from each other
Kluth “2003” “If you know one person with autism, you know ONE person with autism”
“Autism” is still commonly used to refer to any of the 5 PDDs

16. Cause?
Good agreement in general that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain and central nervous system development (typically result in over or under reactions to various sensory stimuli)
May include chemical exposure, viral and genetic factors
Vaccines? –
Currently no medical test to confirm
A diagnosis is made by behavioral observations

17. Famous People with Autism Or Asperger’s
People on the spectrum have made some of the greatest contributions to the world we know…

18. Dr. Temple Grandin