1. Tricia Johnson St. Mary’s College of Maryland Mentor: Dr. Larraine Glidden

2.  I want to be a social worker Hopefully work with children with disabilities  Wanted to inform people about autism

3.  Typical development vs. atypical development  What is Autism?  Reasoning for current project  The documentary  Observations of main participants Four domains of development  Interviews of the mothers  Public interviews

4.  It is a process of change Different rates Milestones  Four domains of development: Physical Social and Emotional Cognitive Language

5.  Many factors can cause atypical development: Poor health A disability/impairment Poverty  Autism is one type of atypical development Severity

6.  Pervasive Developmental Disorder Diagnosed around the age of three  No single cause Biological factors may have some influence  Signs include: lack of speech regression of speech social awkwardness sensitivity to stimulation lack of pretend play stereotypic behaviors

7.  Three characteristic impairments: Impairment in social interactions Lack or delay in speech Presence of stereotypic behavior  Prevalence 2003- 1 in 264 2006- 1 in 150 2009- 1 in 110

8.  Provides examples of what people think autism is  Two case studies: Typically developing girl and a boy with autism Shows their motor, social and emotional, cognitive, and language development  Provides insight From the mothers’ perspectives  Rationale: To inform people

9.  Three-year-old typically developing girl

10.  Three-year-old with autism Diagnosed January 2009 Was 30 months old

11. AUTUMNHUNTER  Fine motor skills: Able to dress herself Put puzzle pieces together Draw  Gross motor skills: Runs balanced Can climb playground equipment Can throw a ball  Fine motor skills: Could manipulate rings  This was the only fine motor skill he displayed  Gross motor skills: Can climb playground equipment without assistance Can climb slides

12. AUTUMNHUNTER  Showed no signs of stereotypic behavior  Showed multiple signs of stereotypic behavior: Open/close doors Carpet Mulch  Interfered with typical development

13. AUTUMNHUNTER  Developed autonomy: Helps dress herself Can choose what she wants to do  Social play: Solitary play Parallel play  Shows empathy for others  Joint attention: Shared interests with others  Has not developed as much autonomy: Still needs help doing basic tasks  Social play: Solitary play Engaged no other children in his play  Lack of joint attention: Little eye-contact Kept to himself

14. AUTUMNHUNTER  Can identify herself: Notices herself in the mirror  Symbolic thought: Play with dolls as if they are real Acts out life scenarios  No symbolic play: Would fixate on things around him  The television

15. AUTUMNHUNTER  Is constantly talking: Uses private speech when playing Uses speech to tell others her needs and wants  Understands what is asked of her  Has very little speech: Has stereotypic speech  Repeats consonant-vowel sound combinations Uses body language to express wants and needs

16.  Concerns Autumn is too independent  Challenges Being able to keep up with her sister  Accomplishments Knowing letters Autumn’s motherHunter’s Mother  Concerns Wants Hunter to be more independent  Challenges Communication  Accomplishments Being able to go to the store

17.  17 individuals were interviewed 76% of them could correctly identify one aspect of autism

18.  Autism is so prevalent Need to understand what it is  People may be misinformed But I found no negative stereotypes  Families of children with special needs Appreciate the little things in life Show adaptability and resilience Have positive coping strategies

19.  American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4 th ed. revised)  Inhelder, B. & Piaget, J. (1958). The growth of logical thinking from childhood to adolescence.  O’ Neil, S. (2008). The meaning of autism: beyond disorder. Disability & Society,23, 787-799.  Rice, C. (2009). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders: Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, United States, 2006. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network Surveillance Year 2006 Principal Investigators, 58, 1-20. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5810 a1.htm. Retrieved April 8, 2010.  Vygotsky, L. S. (1986). Thought and language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

20.  Doctor Glidden  Matt and Sarah  My family  My friends  Autumn and Hunter and their mothers