1. Autism

2. What is Autism?  Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.disorder of neural developmentsocial interactioncommunication  These signs all begin before a child is three years old.

3. Causes of Autism  Cause is unknown, random  Cannot be prevented or cured  Most likely genetic…  What about Vaccines?

4. Characteristics of Autism  Strengths that may accompany Autism: Non Verbal Reasoning Skills Reading Skills Perceptual Motor Skills Drawing Skills Computer Interest and Skills Exceptional Memory Music Skills

5. Characteristics Continued  Weaknesses Impairment in social relationships Deficits in communication and leadership Dependence on Routine Behaviour problems Variability of intellectual functioning.

6. Primary Symptoms  Problems with communication and social interactions: No Speech Won’t look at others when speaking Pronoun Confusion Repetitive use of language

7. Impaired Social Skills Lack of Awareness  Failure to respond to their name  Appearing not to listen when spoken to  Inability to display proper facial expression  Avoidance of eye contact

8. Impaired Social Skills  In some cases if a child shows social skills, they are rote skills.  Inability to consider others feelings

9. Impaired Imitation Skills  Very young children with autism will delay in responding to gestures.

10. Inability to form relationships Lack two essential skills: 1. The ability to relate to peers in a postive and reciprocal manner. 2. The ability to adapt interpersonal skills to the various demands of different social situations. **These children are not out looking for opportunities to interact and may even find it difficult to be in the physical proximity of others. Typically they are not sought out by peers.

11. Dependence of Routine  Highly dependent on a set of routines.  Can become stressed if routine is not followed to the letter.

12. Abnormal Responses to Sensory Stimulation  Reaction to sensory stimulation Can be either heightened or limited

13. Behaviour Problems  Can include: Tantrums Self Injury Property Destruction Aggression  These acts are counter productive to learning

14. Variability of Intellectual Functioning  Can be either below or above average.

15. Uneven Development Profile  Skills may be at different levels. Example: Reading may be at grade 2 level, self help skills are age appropriate, however social skills may be non existent.

16. Immune Irregularities  Could be picky eaters  Food intolerance not based on taste.

17. Gastrointestinal Problems  Problems toileting, could be based on sensroy issues, or gastro. Problems  Many have diarrhea, abdominal pain  This may cause the poor sleep patterns

18. Asperger’s  Both Autism and Asperger’s are subgroups of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.  Named after Austrian Pediatrician Hans Asperger

19. Social Aspect  Unlike Autism, are usually not withdrawn around others  May engage in a one sided conversation  Social Norms are generally memorized through repetition

20. Routine  Generally stick to restricted and repetitive routines  Repetitive motor movements also occur they include: Hand movements Complex whole body movements

21. Speech and Language  Acquire language at normal pace  May take literal translations of speech  Speech may be unusually fast, jerky or loud

22. Teaching Children with Autism

23. How to teach children with Autism?  Using Visual Aids  Using Social Stories

24. Visual Aids Visual aids are very useful and can be employed to: 1. Organize the student’s activities 2. Provide directions/instructions 3. Assist the student in understanding the organization of the environment 4. Support appropriate behaviour 5. Teach social skills 6. Teach self control

25. Social Stories  http://www.connectability.ca/connectability/li brary/documents/Creating+Social+Stories.pdf http://www.connectability.ca/connectability/li brary/documents/Creating+Social+Stories.pdf

26. Social Stories  Are created to prepare kids to encounter new events  Describe a situation and show the child what they can do to cope with that change successfully.  Stories are personalized

27. Case Study  Karen  Alan