Regional Autism Advisory Council of

Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)

Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Task Force

The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Training Series

Adult Training Series Modules

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

Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism

Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism

Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences

Module Five: Communication and Autism

Adult Training Series Modules

Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism

Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons with Autism

Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment

Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and Adulthood

Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder Defined

An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a brain-based or neurobiological disorder of development.

ASD causes differences in the way the brain processes

ASD affects understanding and use of language to interact and communicate with people.

Big Idea

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

Effects of ASD on Individuals

ASD affects:

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

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

the way a person learns and thinks.

Different Types of ASD

Autistic Disorder

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

that they like to do over and over again.

Repetitive behaviors, such as rocking or arm flapping.

Autistic Disorder Continued

Other Characteristics: Usually behaviors can be seen by

three years of age. Some children develop regularly

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

Asperger Syndrome

Biggest Challenges:

Difficulty with social interactions. Individuals appear to understand directions

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

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

Asperger Syndrome Continued

Other Characteristics:

Intelligence ranges from average to well above average, so they may appear really 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 specific diagnosis (i.e. Autism, Asperger).

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

Who Gets ASD?

All races, nationalities and socioeconomic groups

Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD

More common within families

Prevalence of ASDLeukemia 1 in 25,000

Muscular 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

Visual Impairment 1 in 800

Down Syndrome 1 in 800

Juvenile Diabetes 1 in 500

Cerebral Palsy 1 in 400

Autism Autism (per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) March 2011)

1 in 1101 in 110

Why are more people diagnosed today?

Better rules for diagnosis

Asperger Syndrome added to ASD in 1994

Increased awareness of ASD

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

Wrong diagnosis

There are no two persons with autism exactly alike

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

person with autism.” Stephen Shore, Adult with Autism

Quick 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.

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 … 35,000 per year.

Autism is 4 times more common in boys than in girls.

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 year.

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

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

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

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

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