Connecting the Pieces Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Presented by: Sarah Boyles...

Connecting the Pieces

Connecting the Pieces

Understanding Autism Spectrum Understanding Autism Spectrum DisordersDisorders

Presented by: Sarah Boyles

Understanding Autism Spectrum Understanding Autism Spectrum DisordersDisorders


Participants who complete this seminar will be able to:

Participants who complete this seminar will be able to:

Define Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Describe possible indicators of ASD

Identify treatment options for individuals with ASD

Define Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Describe possible indicators of ASD

Identify treatment options for individuals with ASD

What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD)?

What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD)? ASD is defined by specific behaviors that can

range from a mild form called Asperger syndrome to a severe from called autistic disorder.

All individuals with ASD exhibit difficulty with social interactions, communication, and have some form of repetitive behaviors or interests.

Each person diagnosed with ASD will exhibit individual behaviors but fit into the overall diagnosis.

(Strock, 2004)

ASD is defined by specific behaviors that can range from a mild form called Asperger syndrome to a severe from called autistic disorder.

All individuals with ASD exhibit difficulty with social interactions, communication, and have some form of repetitive behaviors or interests.

Each person diagnosed with ASD will exhibit individual behaviors but fit into the overall diagnosis.

(Strock, 2004)

DSM IV-TR Diagnostic CriteriaDSM IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria

The American Psychiatric Association has written an extensive list of diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Developmental Disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association has written an extensive list of diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Developmental Disorders.

Types of Autism Spectrum Disorders


Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): also called Pervasive Developmental Disorders; a complex developmental disability encompassing difficulties with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors or interests.

Asperger syndrome: mild form of of autism; problems in areas of social interaction and communication, but have normal intelligence and verbal skills.

(Strock, 2004)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): also called Pervasive Developmental Disorders; a complex developmental disability encompassing difficulties with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors or interests.

Asperger syndrome: mild form of of autism; problems in areas of social interaction and communication, but have normal intelligence and verbal skills.

(Strock, 2004)


cont.


cont.Rett Syndrome: after a period of normal development

between 6-18 months, autism-like symptoms appear; child regresses in mental and social development; mostly diagnosed in girls

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): after a period of normal development between 3-4 years; autism-like symptoms appear; pronounced losses in motor, language, and social skill development; mostly diagnosed in boys

Pervasive Developmental Disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS): also called atypical autism; symptoms of autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but does not meet the specific criteria for either

(Strock, 2004)

Rett Syndrome: after a period of normal development between 6-18 months, autism-like symptoms appear; child regresses in mental and social development; mostly diagnosed in girls

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): after a period of normal development between 3-4 years; autism-like symptoms appear; pronounced losses in motor, language, and social skill development; mostly diagnosed in boys

Pervasive Developmental Disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS): also called atypical autism; symptoms of autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but does not meet the specific criteria for either

(Strock, 2004)

PrevalencePrevalence

1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism

More common if there are siblings with autism

Occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups

4 times more likely to be diagnosed in boys then in girls

(Autism Speaks Inc., 2007)

1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism

More common if there are siblings with autism

Occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups

4 times more likely to be diagnosed in boys then in girls

(Autism Speaks Inc., 2007)

Common Signs of ASDCommon Signs of ASD

Difficulty and understanding language

Poor eye contact Repeated actions

over and over again Trouble with

changes in routine Lack of smiling Repeat sounds or

words said to them Prefer not be held

Difficulty and understanding language

Poor eye contact Repeated actions

over and over again Trouble with

changes in routine Lack of smiling Repeat sounds or

words said to them Prefer not be held

Does not know how to play with toys

Unusual reactions to the way things sound, taste, feel, smell, or look

Trouble understanding feelings of other people

Loss of social or language skills once they have been learned

(National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, 2007)

Does not know how to play with toys

Unusual reactions to the way things sound, taste, feel, smell, or look

Trouble understanding feelings of other people

Loss of social or language skills once they have been learned

(National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, 2007)

Biological Factors that may coincide with ASD

Biological Factors that may coincide with ASD

Sensory problems

Mental retardation

Seizures

Fragile X syndrome

Tuberous Sclerosis(Strock, 2004)

Sensory problems

Mental retardation

Seizures

Fragile X syndrome

Tuberous Sclerosis(Strock, 2004)

Treatment Options for ASDTreatment Options for ASD

While there is no cure for ASD, there are some treatments and forms of intervention that can help. Each plan should be designed specifically for each individual under the supervision and direction of professionals including doctors, therapists, and psychologists.

Treatment options are continuously evolving and changing. Most of the treatments fall into one of three categories:

learning approaches, biomedical and dietary approaches complementary approaches

(Autism Society of America, 2007)

While there is no cure for ASD, there are some treatments and forms of intervention that can help. Each plan should be designed specifically for each individual under the supervision and direction of professionals including doctors, therapists, and psychologists.

Treatment options are continuously evolving and changing. Most of the treatments fall into one of three categories:

learning approaches, biomedical and dietary approaches complementary approaches


Treatment Options Cont.Treatment Options Cont.

LearningApproaches

Biomedical andDietary Approaches

ComplementaryApproaches

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped ChildrenPicture Exchange Communication SystemsPivotal Response Treatments

Medications

Vitamins and Minerals

Dietary Interventions

Art Therapy

Music Therapy

Animal Therapy


Schools Can HelpSchools Can Help

Learning environments should provide the child with structure, direction, and organization.

Interventions should be individualized and focus on each child’s specific strengths and weaknesses.

Children should be provided with peer models that portray appropriate language, social, and behavioral skills.

Schools should involve parents in the educational plan so that the skills learned will be utilized outside the school environment as well.

(National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 2007)

Learning environments should provide the child with structure, direction, and organization.

Interventions should be individualized and focus on each child’s specific strengths and weaknesses.

Children should be provided with peer models that portray appropriate language, social, and behavioral skills.

Schools should involve parents in the educational plan so that the skills learned will be utilized outside the school environment as well.


Families Can HelpFamilies Can Help

Stay informed about Autism Spectrum Disorders. Be aware of your child’s strengths and

weaknesses. Maintain a highly structured environment with

consistent schedules and routines Work with your child’s teachers and doctors to

form the best approach to meeting your child’s individual needs.


Stay informed about Autism Spectrum Disorders. Be aware of your child’s strengths and

weaknesses. Maintain a highly structured environment with

consistent schedules and routines Work with your child’s teachers and doctors to

form the best approach to meeting your child’s individual needs.


Info for ParentsInfo for Parents

Take a few minutes to review the brochure for parents in your packets.

Take a few minutes to review the brochure for parents in your packets.

Ways to Help-Do’s and Don’ts-

Ways to Help-Do’s and Don’ts-

DO CONSULT...professionals who are experienced with working with individuals with ASD

DO LEARN…as much information as possible about ASD

DO CONSULT...professionals who are experienced with working with individuals with ASD

DO LEARN…as much information as possible about ASD

DON”T WAIT! If a child exhibits signs of autism, contact a physician for an evaluation. Early intervention is KEY!!!

DON”T WAIT! If a child exhibits signs of autism, contact a physician for an evaluation. Early intervention is KEY!!!

Legal safeguards in Pennsylvania

Legal safeguards in Pennsylvania

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that children with autism spectrum disorders are eligible for:

Early intervention services for children ages birth to age 3.

Chapter 15 agreement including an Individualized education plan (IEP) appropriate to the specific needs of the child from ages 3 to 22.

Additional special educational programs focusing on improving communication, social, and behavioral skills.


The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that children with autism spectrum disorders are eligible for:

Early intervention services for children ages birth to age 3.

Chapter 15 agreement including an Individualized education plan (IEP) appropriate to the specific needs of the child from ages 3 to 22.

Additional special educational programs focusing on improving communication, social, and behavioral skills.


Local and National ResourcesLocal and National Resources

Autism Research Institute (ARI)

- provides parents and professionals around the world with research-based information on autismwww.autism.com

Autism Speaks- a foundation dedicated to changing the future of all people with autism spectrum disorderswww.autismspeaks.org

National Autism Association- designed to empower and educate families affected by autismwww.nationalautismassociation.org

Autism Research Institute (ARI)

- provides parents and professionals around the world with research-based information on autismwww.autism.com

Autism Speaks- a foundation dedicated to changing the future of all people with autism spectrum disorderswww.autismspeaks.org

National Autism Association- designed to empower and educate families affected by autismwww.nationalautismassociation.org

Local and NationalResources Cont.

Local and NationalResources Cont.

Advisory Board On Autism and Related Disorders (ABOARD)- provides support for families with children with autism

www.aboard.org Autism Society of America-Pittsburgh

Chapter- provides support for volunteers, families, and professionals working with children with autismwww.autismsocietypgh.org/

Autism Link- provides information, news, and support for families and individuals working with individuals with autismwww.autismlink.com

Advisory Board On Autism and Related Disorders (ABOARD)- provides support for families with children with autism

www.aboard.org Autism Society of America-Pittsburgh

Chapter- provides support for volunteers, families, and professionals working with children with autismwww.autismsocietypgh.org/

Autism Link- provides information, news, and support for families and individuals working with individuals with autismwww.autismlink.com

Joshua’s StoryJoshua’s Story

Read the case study in your packet. Take a minute to discuss the case. Answer the questions to follow with a colleague.

Read the case study in your packet. Take a minute to discuss the case. Answer the questions to follow with a colleague.

ReferencesReferences

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2000) Pervasive developmental disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Fourth edition-text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 69-70.

2. Autism Speaks, Inc., (2007). What is autism? An overview. Retrieved September 23, 2007, Web site: http://www.autismspeaks.org

3. Autism Society of America (2007). Autism society of america: The voice of autism. Retrieved from the Web September 16, 2007. Web site: http://www.autism-society.org/site/

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2000) Pervasive developmental disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Fourth edition-text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 69-70.

2. Autism Speaks, Inc., (2007). What is autism? An overview. Retrieved September 23, 2007, Web site: http://www.autismspeaks.org

3. Autism Society of America (2007). Autism society of america: The voice of autism. Retrieved from the Web September 16, 2007. Web site: http://www.autism-society.org/site/

References Cont.References Cont.

4. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (2007). Centers for disease control and prevention: Autism information center. Retrieved from the Web September 16, 2007. Web site: http:/www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/

5. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, (2007). Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Retrieved from the Web September 16, 2007, Web site: http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs1txt.htm

6. Strock, Margaret (2004). Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders). NIH Publication No. NIH-04-5511, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, 40 pp. http://www.nimh.nih.publicat/autism.cfm

4. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (2007). Centers for disease control and prevention: Autism information center. Retrieved from the Web September 16, 2007. Web site: http:/www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/

5. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, (2007). Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Retrieved from the Web September 16, 2007, Web site: http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs1txt.htm

6. Strock, Margaret (2004). Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders). NIH Publication No. NIH-04-5511, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, 40 pp. http://www.nimh.nih.publicat/autism.cfm

Contact InformationContact Information


Graduate Student in Applied Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh

E-mail address: [email protected]


Graduate Student in Applied Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh

E-mail address: [email protected]

Connecting the Pieces Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Presented by: Sarah Boyles...

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