Autism Spectrum DisordersToday

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

• A range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders

• Disorders are characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior

(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2012)

DSM-IV Definition of Autism(MI definition)

Restricted & Repetitive Behavior

Impairment in Socialization

Impairment in Communication

START - 2011

Autism Spectrum DisordersPDD-NOS

Impaired social interaction orImpaired communication

orRestricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns or behaviors, interests and activities.

Asperger’s DisorderImpaired social interactionandNormal communication/language development.*and Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns or behaviors, interests and activities.

Autistic DisorderImpaired social interaction andImpaired communication

and Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns or behaviors, interests and activities.

*Tony Atwood states that there is a qualitative impairment in subtle communication skills with Asperger’s Syndrome – Conversation, pedantic speech and literal.Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett’s Syndrome fall under the broad category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Neurobiological/Neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts:

• Processing

• Attention and shifting

• Basic social behaviors

• Interaction with the environment

• Learning

Lord, 2010

Triad of ASD

Why do students with ASD need to be included in the General Ed. Classroom?

• In order to prepare all students for employment and independent living, students need Socialization Skills and Independent Functioning

• Students with ASD don’t typically lose their job because of a lack of job skills…they typically lose their job because of a lack of socialization skills.

• To develop socialization skills you must have social opportunities.

• Research indicates that there are improved outcomes when students with ASD are integrated with their typical peers. This leads to Independence!

Developing Tolerance

• Use Sensitivity Training with Staff• Use Sensitivity Training with Peers• Model Tolerance/Inclusion• Think about ways to support differences in

students• Develop a plan to include students with

differences

Sensitivity Awareness

When you can see the two animals in this picture, please stand up.

Visual Processing Problems

• It’s not always a motivational issue.

• Anxiety and Pressure may lead to behavior problems.• Motivation vs. Ability Can the student do something or are they just tired of working so hard at something others do easily?

• How does it feel not being able to do something others can do easily?

Turn the picture 90 degrees

Sensitivity Awareness

• Do we need to plan sensitivity awareness training for our building?

• For students, staff, the community?• Can we plan something for Autism Awareness

month (April)? It is not too early to start thinking about this.

Evidence Based Practices/Teaching Intervention Strategies

Five of the 24 Evidence Based Practices (EBP’s) are listed below:

• Social Narratives • Visual Strategies• Self-Management• Prompting• Reinforcement

NPDC http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/OCALI, AIM website autisminternetmodules.org 37 modules presently availableNational Autism Center, National Standards Project(www.nationalautismcenter.org)

Quick Tips to Effectively Support Students with ASD

• Use peers to assist students with ASD• Assist the student with communication by providing

a break card or using pictures or written language.• Behavior is communication• Teach students about peer social expectations and

language• Use or refer to the Profile of Change• Use a team based approach See handout: Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

Team Based Approach

Duties of the team include:• Develop/Review/Be Cognizant of the Guiding

Principles• Meet at least monthly• Meet as problems arise• Take issues to the team rather than the

hallway or the teacher’s lounge• Contact the building coach for assistancePlease refer to the Developing Guiding Principles Document, Action Plan, and the Competing Pathway form.

REMEMBER: Our Attitude Affects a Student’s Performance