AutismAutism

AutismAutism is a term for a group of complex is a term for a group of complex

disorders of brain development, and falls disorders of brain development, and falls

under the umbrella of pervasive under the umbrella of pervasive

developmental disorders (PDD). It is developmental disorders (PDD). It is

characterized by difficulties in social characterized by difficulties in social

interaction, verbal and nonverbal interaction, verbal and nonverbal

communication, repetitive behaviors, communication, repetitive behaviors,

intellectual disabilities, and difficulties intellectual disabilities, and difficulties

with motor coordination and attention.with motor coordination and attention.

HISTORYHISTORY

Term coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Term coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in 1912, when he wrote about it in Bleuler in 1912, when he wrote about it in The American Journal of Insanity. The American Journal of Insanity.

Bleuler thought it was another form of Bleuler thought it was another form of schizophrenia.schizophrenia.

Austrian-American psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Austrian-American psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner, was the first to recognize autism Kanner, was the first to recognize autism as its own unique mental disorder.as its own unique mental disorder.

HISTORYHISTORY

Scientist and pediatrician, Dr. Hans Scientist and pediatrician, Dr. Hans Asperger defined Asperger Syndrome, a Asperger defined Asperger Syndrome, a specific type of high functioning autism, in specific type of high functioning autism, in 1944. 1944.

Austrian-American writer and child Austrian-American writer and child psychologist, Dr. Bruno Bettelhiem, psychologist, Dr. Bruno Bettelhiem, developed a theory of “refrigerator developed a theory of “refrigerator mothers” in 1967. mothers” in 1967.

What Is Autism ?What Is Autism ?

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how the brain functions. It affects that affects how the brain functions. It affects how a person communicates with, and relates how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.sense of the world around them.

A person who has autism is said to have ASD. A person who has autism is said to have ASD. This is because the symptoms of autism can This is because the symptoms of autism can vary from person to person, and can range from vary from person to person, and can range from mild to very severe. Asperger’s syndrome is an mild to very severe. Asperger’s syndrome is an ASD, on the mild end of the spectrum.ASD, on the mild end of the spectrum.

What is autism?What is autism? Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that

affects the way a person communicates and affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulties with everyday adults with autism have difficulties with everyday social interaction. Their ability to develop social interaction. Their ability to develop friendships is generally limited as is their friendships is generally limited as is their capacity to understand other people's emotional capacity to understand other people's emotional expression. expression.

People with autism can often have People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world. sense of the world.

DEMOGRAPHICSDEMOGRAPHICS

1 in 110 American children have autism, a 1 in 110 American children have autism, a

600% increase over the past two decades.600% increase over the past two decades. It is three to four times more common in It is three to four times more common in boys than in girls.boys than in girls. About 1 out of 70 boys is diagnosed with About 1 out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism in the U.S.autism in the U.S. The disorder is often seen in identical The disorder is often seen in identical

twins.twins.

ASDASD

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities that group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. communication and behavioral challenges. People with ASDs handle information in People with ASDs handle information in their brain differently than other people. their brain differently than other people.

ASDASD

ASDs are “spectrum disorders.” That ASDs are “spectrum disorders.” That means ASDs affect each person in means ASDs affect each person in different ways, and can range from very different ways, and can range from very mild to severe. People with ASDs share mild to severe. People with ASDs share some similar symptoms, such as problems some similar symptoms, such as problems with social interaction. But there are with social interaction. But there are differences in when the symptoms start, differences in when the symptoms start, how severe they are, and the exact nature how severe they are, and the exact nature of the symptoms. of the symptoms.

TYPES OF ASDTYPES OF ASD Autistic Disorder (also called “classic” Autistic Disorder (also called “classic”

autism)autism) This is what most people think of when This is what most people think of when

hearing the word “autism.” People with hearing the word “autism.” People with autistic disorder usually have significant autistic disorder usually have significant language delays, social and language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with behaviors and interests. Many people with autistic disorder also have intellectual autistic disorder also have intellectual disability.disability.

TYPES OF ASDTYPES OF ASD

Asperger SyndromeAsperger Syndrome People with Asperger syndrome usually People with Asperger syndrome usually

have some milder symptoms of autistic have some milder symptoms of autistic disorder. They might have social disorder. They might have social challenges and unusual behaviors and challenges and unusual behaviors and interests. However, they typically do not interests. However, they typically do not have problems with language or have problems with language or intellectual disability.intellectual disability.

TYPES OF ASDTYPES OF ASD Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not

Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called “atypical autism”)called “atypical autism”)

People who meet some of the criteria for People who meet some of the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. People with PDD-NOS usually have NOS. People with PDD-NOS usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those fewer and milder symptoms than those with autistic disorder. The symptoms might with autistic disorder. The symptoms might cause only social and communication cause only social and communication challenges.challenges.

Signs/SymptomsSigns/Symptoms The first symptoms of ASD usually appear when The first symptoms of ASD usually appear when

the person is under two years old, and last the person is under two years old, and last throughout life. Some people who have autism throughout life. Some people who have autism also have a learning difficulty. This is when they also have a learning difficulty. This is when they find it harder than most people to learn new find it harder than most people to learn new skills.skills.

Symptoms of ASD can be divided into three Symptoms of ASD can be divided into three main groups. They are:main groups. They are:

social interaction, social interaction, communication, and communication, and routine and repetitive behaviour.routine and repetitive behaviour.

Social interactionSocial interaction IssuesIssues A child who has ASD may find it hard to get on A child who has ASD may find it hard to get on

with other people. They may:with other people. They may: seem distant or detached, seem distant or detached, have little or no interest in other people, and find have little or no interest in other people, and find

it difficult make friends, it difficult make friends, not seek affection in the usual way, or resist not seek affection in the usual way, or resist

physical contact such as kissing and cuddling, physical contact such as kissing and cuddling, find it difficult to make eye contact with other find it difficult to make eye contact with other

people, people, not understand other peoples emotions, and not understand other peoples emotions, and prefer to spend time alone.prefer to spend time alone.

Communication IssuesCommunication Issues A child who has ASD may develop speech later than other A child who has ASD may develop speech later than other

children, or never learn to speak. When their speech does children, or never learn to speak. When their speech does develop, the language and choice of words they use may develop, the language and choice of words they use may be wrong.be wrong.

A child with ASD may also:A child with ASD may also: not be able to express themselves well, not be able to express themselves well, not be able to understand gestures, facial expressions, or not be able to understand gestures, facial expressions, or

tones of voice, tones of voice, use odd phrases and use odd choices of words, use odd phrases and use odd choices of words, use more words than is necessary to explain simple things, use more words than is necessary to explain simple things, make up their own words or phrases, make up their own words or phrases, not use their hands to make gestures when they speak, not use their hands to make gestures when they speak,

and and find it difficult to understand difficult commands.find it difficult to understand difficult commands.

Routine and repetitive behaviourRoutine and repetitive behaviour

Children with ASD may:Children with ASD may: play the same games over and over, or play with games play the same games over and over, or play with games

designed for children younger than themselves, designed for children younger than themselves, get upset if their daily routines are interrupted in any get upset if their daily routines are interrupted in any

way, and way, and repeat actions, such as rocking back and forth or head repeat actions, such as rocking back and forth or head

banging.banging. These symptoms may lead to hyperactivity in younger These symptoms may lead to hyperactivity in younger

children.children. Older children and adults may develop obsessions. For Older children and adults may develop obsessions. For

example, with specific objects, lists, timetables or example, with specific objects, lists, timetables or routines.routines.

Sensory difficultiesSensory difficulties

Some children with ASD also have sensory Some children with ASD also have sensory difficulties. This means that they may get upset if difficulties. This means that they may get upset if they are over or under stimulated. For example, they are over or under stimulated. For example, they may prefer being indoors if they are over they may prefer being indoors if they are over sensitive to light, or they may bump into people sensitive to light, or they may bump into people if they are under sensitive to touch.if they are under sensitive to touch.

Sensory difficulties can also lead to problems Sensory difficulties can also lead to problems with movement. A person with ASD may appear with movement. A person with ASD may appear clumsy or have an unusual way of walking.clumsy or have an unusual way of walking.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNSBIOLOGICAL SIGNS Enlarged portions of autistic brainEnlarged portions of autistic brain Several abnormal genes identified, Several abnormal genes identified,

including ones that may alter brain including ones that may alter brain architecturearchitecture

Genes may interact with environmental Genes may interact with environmental factorsfactors

Major brain areas implicated in Autism: Major brain areas implicated in Autism: cerebellum, cerebral cortex, temporal lobe, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, temporal lobe, amygdalaamygdala

CAUSESCAUSES Symptoms of ASD are caused by an Symptoms of ASD are caused by an

abnormality in the development of the abnormality in the development of the brain that occurs before, or soon after brain that occurs before, or soon after birth. It’s now known exactly what causes birth. It’s now known exactly what causes this abnormality.this abnormality.

Some evidence shows that having a Some evidence shows that having a defective gene may be a risk factor in defective gene may be a risk factor in developing ASD. These genes may be developing ASD. These genes may be inherited, and the chance of you having inherited, and the chance of you having ASD if your brother or sister has it, is ASD if your brother or sister has it, is slightly higher than in the rest of the slightly higher than in the rest of the general population.general population.

CAUSESCAUSES

Some research suggests that Some research suggests that environmental factors such as pollution or environmental factors such as pollution or viruses such as rubella (German measles) viruses such as rubella (German measles) may trigger ASD. However, ASD is not a may trigger ASD. However, ASD is not a result of anything that a parent has done result of anything that a parent has done either during pregnancy or after the child is either during pregnancy or after the child is born.born.

DiagnosisDiagnosis

Getting a diagnosis for autistic Getting a diagnosis for autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is important, spectrum disorder (ASD) is important, to enable access to the right services to enable access to the right services and treatments to support individual and treatments to support individual needs.needs.

ASD may be difficult to diagnose as ASD may be difficult to diagnose as symptoms can vary considerably from symptoms can vary considerably from person to person, and mild symptoms person to person, and mild symptoms can be hard to spot.can be hard to spot.

DIAGNOSISDIAGNOSIS The most common age for diagnosis is The most common age for diagnosis is

between three and four years old. between three and four years old. However, some people may not be However, some people may not be diagnosed until they are older, especially if diagnosed until they are older, especially if they have mild symptoms. ASD isn’t they have mild symptoms. ASD isn’t usually diagnosed before a child is two usually diagnosed before a child is two years old.years old.

DIAGNOSISDIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis in adultsDiagnosis in adults Some people aren’t diagnosed with ASD Some people aren’t diagnosed with ASD

when they are children, especially when when they are children, especially when symptoms are very mild. If you have the symptoms are very mild. If you have the symptoms of ASD and it interferes with symptoms of ASD and it interferes with your work or social life, you should speak your work or social life, you should speak with your GP.with your GP.

Tests for ASDTests for ASD

There are no specific tests for ASD, although There are no specific tests for ASD, although other tests such as hearing tests and blood tests other tests such as hearing tests and blood tests may be done to rule out other health conditions. may be done to rule out other health conditions.

no link between the MMR vaccine and ASD. no link between the MMR vaccine and ASD. Research shows that more children are Research shows that more children are diagnosed with ASD now than 10 years ago and diagnosed with ASD now than 10 years ago and the number of children receiving the MMR the number of children receiving the MMR vaccine has stayed the same. vaccine has stayed the same.

Treatment For ASDTreatment For ASD There is no treatment that can ‘cure’ autistic There is no treatment that can ‘cure’ autistic

spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there are many spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there are many ways in which a person with ASD can get support to ways in which a person with ASD can get support to manage their condition. These methods of manage their condition. These methods of management and support are often called management and support are often called ‘interventions’. Many people with ASD will require ‘interventions’. Many people with ASD will require specialist care and support throughout their lives. A specialist care and support throughout their lives. A lot of different health professionals will work as a lot of different health professionals will work as a team to care for them.team to care for them.

The aim of interventions is to help a person with The aim of interventions is to help a person with ASD to speak and communicate better, and to get ASD to speak and communicate better, and to get along better in education and at work. Health along better in education and at work. Health professionals think that interventions work better professionals think that interventions work better when a child with ASD starts them from a young when a child with ASD starts them from a young age.age.

TREATMENTTREATMENT

Because ASD differs from person to Because ASD differs from person to person, the type of support a person person, the type of support a person needs will depend on their own individual needs will depend on their own individual circumstances. It will also depend on what circumstances. It will also depend on what services and treatments are available in services and treatments are available in the area that you live. Not all services are the area that you live. Not all services are available on the NHS in all areas.available on the NHS in all areas.

Although not a treatment in itself, a Although not a treatment in itself, a psychologist may set tests to help decide psychologist may set tests to help decide the best treatment options.the best treatment options.

Some facts and statisticsSome facts and statistics 21% of children with an ASD have been excluded from 21% of children with an ASD have been excluded from

school at least onceschool at least once

Adults with autism say that finding a suitable job would Adults with autism say that finding a suitable job would improve their lives more than anything elseimprove their lives more than anything else

People with autism often want to make friends but due to People with autism often want to make friends but due to their disability find it difficulttheir disability find it difficult

Some facts and statisticsSome facts and statistics

40% of all children with autism wait more than three years for a 40% of all children with autism wait more than three years for a clear diagnosisclear diagnosis

An estimated 535,000 people have autism in the UKAn estimated 535,000 people have autism in the UK

Boys are four times more likely to develop autism than girlsBoys are four times more likely to develop autism than girls

Around 70% of people with autism have an IQ below 70 (the Around 70% of people with autism have an IQ below 70 (the average IQ of the population is 100). This is classed as a average IQ of the population is 100). This is classed as a learning disability. Some people with autism have normal or learning disability. Some people with autism have normal or high intelligence.high intelligence.

Many people with Asperger's have normal or above average Many people with Asperger's have normal or above average intelligence and can lead independent lives.intelligence and can lead independent lives.