The Basics of Autism Spectrum DisordersSpectrum Disorders

Training Series

Regional Autism Advisory Council of Regional Autism Advisory Council of

Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)

Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Task Force

Ad lt T i i S i s M d l sAdult Training Series Modules

Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and Primary Characteristicsand Primary Characteristics

Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism

Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autismg g

Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences

M d l Fi C i ti d A tiModule Five: Communication and Autism

Ad lt T i i S i s M d l sAdult Training Series ModulesM d l Si B h i Ch ll d A tiModule Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism

Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons ith A tiwith Autism

Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment

Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and Adulthood

Module Eleven: Safety and AutismModule Eleven: Safety and Autism

d f dAutism Spectrum Disorder Defined

An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a brain-based or neurobiological disorder of development disorder of development. ASD causes differences in the way the b i brain processes ASD affects understanding and use of glanguage to interact and communicate with people.

Big Idea Big Idea

ASD is a brain-based disorder ASD is a brain based disorder that results in differences in the way individuals understand and way individuals understand and interact with their world.

Eff t f ASD I di id l Effects of ASD on Individuals

ASD affects:

• the way a person relates to people events and • the way a person relates to people, events, and objects in the environment.

• the way a person responds to sensory stimuli • the way a person responds to sensory stimuli such as pain, hearing, taste, smell, etc.

• the way a person learns and thinks• the way a person learns and thinks.

D ff f Different Types of ASDASD

Autistic Disorder

Biggest Challenges:gg g• Difficulties with social interaction.• Difficulties with communication.Difficulties with communication.• Restricted interests and activities

that they like to do over and over yagain.

• Repetitive behaviors, such as p ,rocking or arm flapping.

Autistic Disorder Continued Autistic Disorder Continued

Other Characteristics: • Usually behaviors can be seen by • Usually behaviors can be seen by

three years of age. • Some children develop regularly the • Some children develop regularly the

first years, then begin to lose their learned skillslearned skills.

Asperger Syndrome

Biggest Challenges:

• Difficulty with social interactions.• Individuals appear to understand directions pp

even when they don’t. For example, we may think they are being uncooperative.

• Individuals like to talk a lot about things that • Individuals like to talk a lot about things that really interest them.

A S d C ti dAsperger Syndrome Continued

Oth Ch t i ti :Other Characteristics:

I t lli f t ll Intelligence ranges from average to well above average, so they may appear really smart, but cannot do everyday things smart, but cannot do everyday things independently.

PDD-NOS(Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not

Otherwise Specified)

Diagnosis often made when a person does not meet the criteria for a

ifi di i (i A i specific diagnosis (i.e. Autism, Asperger).

• There is generally an overall • There is generally an overall impairment in communication, social interactions and individuals may have interactions, and individuals may have restricted interests.

Who Gets ASD?All races, nationalities and socioeconomic groupsgroups

Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD

More common within familiesMore common within families

Prevalence of ASDPrevalence of ASDLeukemia 1 in 25,000

Muscular Dystrophy 1 in 20 000Muscular Dystrophy 1 in 20,000

Pediatric Aids 1 in 8,000

Childhood Cancer 1 in 7,000

Polio (1952 peak rate) 1 in 4,000

Hearing Impairment 1 in 900

l Visual Impairment 1 in 800

Down Syndrome 1 in 800

Juvenile Diabetes 1 in 500Juvenile Diabetes 1 in 500

Cerebral Palsy 1 in 400

Autism Autism (per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) M h 2011)

1 in 1101 in 110March 2011)

Wh l di d t d ?Why are more people diagnosed today?

B l f di iBetter rules for diagnosis

Asperger Syndrome added to ASD in 1994p g y

Increased awareness of ASD

People believe there are more services for an individual if the person has a diagnosis f ASDof ASD.

Wrong diagnosisg g

There are no two persons with There are no two persons with autism exactly alike

“If you’ve met one person with If you ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person

with autism ” with autism. Stephen Shore, Adult with Autism

Q i k F t b t A tiQuick Facts about Autism

Autism is the most common developmental disability, affecting 1 in 110 births … most recent March 2011 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study.( ) y

A decade ago the rate was thought to be 4-5 in 10,000.

4 children with autism are born in the USA every hour 4 children with autism are born in the USA every hour … 35,000 per year.

Autism is 4 times more common in boys than in girls.m m m mm y g .

Autism is often under-diagnosed in children – typically diagnosed by age 3-7.

Autism Facts ContinuedAutism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the US growing 10-17% per yeardisability in the US, growing 10 17% per year.

Cost of autism is estimated at $35-$90 billion –90% of that is spent on adult services90% of that is spent on adult services.

Recent estimate (by Harvard) is that cost is $3 2M/person over their lifetime$3.2M/person over their lifetime.

The costs are expected to more than double in the next decadenext decade.

For more information, see: www.autism-society.orgor www autismspeaks orgor www.autismspeaks.org.

““The greatest underserved disability group” The greatest underserved disability group”