Autism

What is ASD?

•Lifelong disability with a variety of outcomes.

•May include different responses to sensory information, may demonstrate difficulty managing changes in routine

•Neurodiversity

Examples of Deficits in Communication

Delay or lack of spoken language

•Inability to initiate or sustain conversation

Repetitive use of language

Examples of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors (RRBs)

•Unable to change routine or rituals, becomes upset with change

Repetitive motor mannerisms

abnormal intensity or focus

Types of ASDs

•Autistic Disorder

•Asperger’s Disorder

•Rett’s Disorder (females primarily affected)

•Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)

•Pervasive Developmental Disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)

Now there is_______ASD diagnosis

one universal

• (no longer subtypes such as Asperger syndrome, Rett disorder, etc.)

Atypical development

•At birth may be averse to eye contact, aloof

•Perhaps not until 1-3 years do characteristics emerge, especially language delays or loss of language

Etiology of ASD (cause)

Prenatal toxin exposure

Maternal fever 3^rd trimester

Low birth weight, prematurity

mothers with higher weight gain during pregnancy

Children born to older parents (father) are at a _______ for autism

higher risk

If family has one child with ASD, there’s ______ or _____ chance of having a 2^nd with ASD

10%-20%

33%

_______ are more likely to BOTH have autism then _______

Identical twins

faternal twins

Characteristics of Brain Structure

Increased head size as an infant

• Differences in brain growth in frontal and temporal lobes 

  • Abnormally rapid growth and large brain volume in 2- to 4-year-olds

Level 3 (Autism)

•requiring very substantial support

Level 2 (Autism)

•requiring substantial support

Level 1

requiring support

Males______  to be diagnosed than females

3-5x more likely 

70% of people with autism have ______

sleep disorder

SOR (Sensory Modulation Disorder)

sensory defensiveness-correlated with anxiety and DEC participation outside of the home

SUR (Sensory Modulation Disorder)

under-responsive

SC (Sensory Modulation Disorder)

craving for stimuli that interferes with function

•Sensory-Based Motor Disorder

Dyspraxia, postural instability, sensory discrimination disorder

DEC life expectancy

36-41 y.o

• deaths from injury (suffocation, asphyxia, drowning; elopement

_______of adults with ASD are unemployed and no longer eligible for school services, including those with above average IQs

80%

Applied Behavioral Analysis

Method of teaching, reinforcing, and maintaining new skills and desirable behavior