Tricia JohnsonSt. Mary’s College of Maryland

Mentor: Dr. Larraine Glidden

I want to be a social worker• Hopefully work with children with disabilities

Wanted to inform people about autism

Typical development vs. atypical development

What is Autism? Reasoning for current project The documentary Observations of main participants

• Four domains of development Interviews of the mothers Public interviews

It is a process of change• Different rates• Milestones

Four domains of development:• Physical• Social and Emotional• Cognitive• Language

Many factors can cause atypical development:• Poor health• A disability/impairment• Poverty

Autism is one type of atypical development• Severity

Pervasive Developmental Disorder• Diagnosed around the age of three

No single cause• Biological factors may have some influence

Signs include:• lack of speech• regression of speech• social awkwardness• sensitivity to stimulation • lack of pretend play• stereotypic behaviors

Three characteristic impairments:• Impairment in social interactions• Lack or delay in speech• Presence of stereotypic behavior

Prevalence• 2003- 1 in 264• 2006- 1 in 150• 2009- 1 in 110

Provides examples of what people think autism is

Two case studies:• Typically developing girl and a boy with

autism• Shows their motor, social and emotional,

cognitive, and language development Provides insight

• From the mothers’ perspectives Rationale:

• To inform people

Three-year-old typically developing girl

Three-year-old with autism• Diagnosed January

2009• Was 30 months old

AUTUMN HUNTER

Fine motor skills:• Able to dress herself• Put puzzle pieces

together• Draw

Gross motor skills:• Runs balanced• Can climb playground

equipment• Can throw a ball

Fine motor skills:• Could manipulate rings

This was the only fine motor skill he displayed

Gross motor skills:• Can climb playground

equipment without assistance

• Can climb slides

AUTUMN HUNTER

Showed no signs of stereotypic behavior

Showed multiple signs of stereotypic behavior:• Open/close doors• Carpet• Mulch

Interfered with typical development

AUTUMN HUNTER

Developed autonomy:• Helps dress herself• Can choose what she

wants to do Social play:

• Solitary play• Parallel play

Shows empathy for others

Joint attention:• Shared interests with

others

Has not developed as much autonomy:• Still needs help doing

basic tasks Social play:

• Solitary play• Engaged no other

children in his play Lack of joint attention:

• Little eye-contact• Kept to himself

AUTUMN HUNTER

Can identify herself:• Notices herself in the

mirror Symbolic thought:

• Play with dolls as if they are real

• Acts out life scenarios

No symbolic play:• Would fixate on things

around him The television

AUTUMN HUNTER

Is constantly talking:• Uses private speech

when playing• Uses speech to tell

others her needs and wants

Understands what is asked of her

Has very little speech:• Has stereotypic speech

Repeats consonant-vowel sound combinations

• Uses body language to express wants and needs

Autumn’s mother Hunter’s Mother Concerns

• Wants Hunter to be more independent

Challenges• Communication

Accomplishments• Being able to go to

the store

17 individuals were interviewed• 76% of them could correctly identify one

aspect of autism

Autism is so prevalent• Need to understand what it is

People may be misinformed• But I found no negative stereotypes

Families of children with special needs• Appreciate the little things in life• Show adaptability and resilience• Have positive coping strategies

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed. revised)

Inhelder, B. & Piaget, J. (1958). The growth of logical thinking from childhood to adolescence.

O’ Neil, S. (2008). The meaning of autism: beyond disorder. Disability & Society ,23, 787-799.

Rice, C. (2009). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders: Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, United States, 2006. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network Surveillance Year 2006 Principal Investigators, 58, 1-20. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5810

a1.htm. Retrieved April 8, 2010. Vygotsky, L. S. (1986). Thought and language.

Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Doctor Glidden Matt and Sarah My family My friends Autumn and Hunter and their

mothers