AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

By: Rachel Olivo, Meagan Ingram, and Aubri Brodfuhrer

Changing Times: Denial, Defeat, and HopeThe changing views of Autism

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3525290n

Autism in the Past1911- coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen

Bleuler

“Autism” = an extreme withdrawal of oneself from the fabric of social life

Compared to SchizophreniaLittle research was done due to easily

admitting those with “autism” to institutions.

1940’s-1960’sThe Age of Denial1943- first research on Autism by Leo

Kanner• Case on 11 kids who displayed, “extreme

autistic aloneness.”• Limited speech, lack of emotional

connection, and an obsessive desire for sameness.

1944- Hans Asberger did a case study• He referred to the kids as “Little Professors” • His research led to those with the syndrome to

be called “Autistic Psychopaths” and to have “Autistic Disturbances”

Autism was blamed on the “poor” parenting of the parents.

• “Refrigerator Moms”

1960’s-1980’sThe Age of DefeatNo chance to improve the quality of life for a

child with autismRequire some type of institutionalization

Few scientists involved in autism researchFamilies had little or no support

1960’s-1980’s Continued…Treatments included LSD, electric shock, and

behavior modification techniquesFocus on pain and punishment

Researchers separated Autism from Schizophrenia in Mid 60’s

Medical Community determines Autism has a biological origin

1990’s- PresentThe Age of HopeViewed as a developmental disorder

rather than a behavioral disorderAutism as a complex biological disorderHope for quality of life and independenceVarious treatment and medicationEmergence of Behavior Therapy and

highly controlled environments.Increase awareness and support

Key Issue:Communication

Tools to Help People with Autism Communicate and Socially Interact

PECS– Picture Exchange Communication

ProgramPictures used to help people

with communication deficiencies

effectively communicate

PECS BinderBinders of pictures to help them

communicateStrips of Velcro on the front and on the

backs of the picturesCan create complete sentences

Pyramid Approach

Increase to more complex levels of communication

What do you think this means?

Begins with simple teachings of how to use PECS

Communicate more ideas than before

Effectively communicate

Whose Theory?B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning

-- focus on positive reinforcements

How is PECS based on this theory?

Children are rewarded with what they want/need when they are able to effectively communicate