1. By Jamie Redfearn and Retricia Tubbs

2.  What is autism? According to the National Research Council\u0027s Educating Children with Autism, autism is a developmental disorder of neurobiological origin that is defined on the basis of behavioral and developmental features (2001). Pervasive Developmental Disorders (or PDD) is a medical diagnosis. The term Pervasive Developmental Disorders was first used in the 1980s to describe a class of disorders with similar symptoms or characteristics.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axdTT0S3VGI&feature =results_main&playnext=1&list=PLF2FB03F3469A871A

4.  Autistic Disorder  Pervasive Developmental Disorder – NOS  Asperger’s Disorder  Rhett’s Disorder  Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

5.  Autism occurs in approximately 1% of population.  Rate of occurrence is 1 in every 110 children.  Four times more likely to occur in boys  Affects individuals in every country and across racial, ethnic and economic boundaries  Reason for increase unclear; More public awareness; Broadened definition  60 billion in annual costs with 60% geared toward adult services  Cost of lifetime care can be significantly reduced by early diagnosis and intervention  Costs expected to increase to $200-400 billion in next ten years

6.  Qualitative impairment in social and communication skills.  Repetitive or stereotyped behaviors and interests  Sensory Problems  Academic and Vocational

7.  Difficulty interpreting facial expressions and other forms of body language  Difficulty with Theory of Mind (ToM) understanding that others have feelings and thoughts different from their own  Difficulty understanding metaphors or sarcasm; tendency to take expressions literally  Difficulty with speech/voice tone/inflection

8.  Hypersensitivity ◦ High ability to notice what is going on in the environment ◦ Particular about task completion parameters ◦ Distracted in busy, complex settings ◦ May seem like a “complainer” ◦ High ability to design and implement structure ◦ Enjoys routines ◦ Resistant to change ◦ Reliant on rituals to participate  Hyposensitivity ◦ High ability to focus on something ◦ Unaffected by varying emotions ◦ Appears to be uninterested or withdrawn ◦ May have a dull affect or seem self-absorbed ◦ May seem “overly tired” or apathetic ◦ Notices and enjoys all the activity in the environment ◦ Always active ◦ Continuously engaging ◦ Fidgety and excitable

9.  Difficulty planning  Difficulty organizing  Difficulty action monitoring  Difficulty initiating  Difficulty setting goals and sub-goals (that is, breaking down a large project into small, manageable parts)  Mastering the job application process  Adapting to new job routines  Communication  Navigating social interactions with supervisors and coworkers

10.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWG3amB BoZ8&feature=related

11.  http://aheadd.org/blog/symptoms-of-autism-in-adults/  http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/146/146  http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/Developing_Proactive_S trategies.asp?name=Dr.%20Lori%20Ernsperger  http://www.mugsy.org/connor1.htm