1. By Kristin Klaiber

2. Autism is a developmental disability significantly effecting verbal, or non verbal communication and social interaction. 400,000 people in the US have been diagnosed with Autism.

3.  Children have difficulties with communicating.  Also with adapting and relating.  They demonstrate communication skills different than expected.  Rarely make eye contact.  They lack oral language skills.  Tend to insist on sameness and routines.

4.  Autism is caused by a neurological dysfunction or a difference that is present at birth.  The differences tend to be chemically, structurally, or functionally.  In children with Autism the whole brain functions completely different than a child that does not have Autsim.

5.  Children have to be given tests that determine IQ, cognitive functioning, developmental level, academic level, and adaptive behavior.  Children with Autism are served under IDEA.  This means that they have an IEP plan, and each school district handles the child’s situation differently.

6.  Teachers should know the strengths and weaknesses of their student.  They should have a daily routine.  They should have a highly structured environment.  Visual aids are helpful.  Need a good communication system.  Teachers should support positive behavior from the child.  Teachers need to set age appropriate goals for student.

7.  Changes in children with Autism (1992-2001) ◦ 1992 (15,586) ◦ 2000 (97,904)  Percent of students with Autism by race ◦ White/non Hispanic (67.5%) ◦ Hispanic (9.9%) ◦ African American (17.2%)  How much time spent in general education classroom ◦ Less than 21% (24.3%) ◦ 21%-60% (15.3%) ◦ More than 60% (46.4%) ◦ Educated in separate environment (14%)  Autism is three to four times more likely to appear in boys than girls.

8.  Colarusso, R., & O’Rourke, C. (2007). Special Education For All Teachers. Iowa: Dubuque.  National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2007). Autism. Retrieved September 28, 2007, from www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/autism.asp