1. Introduction to Autism Ilan Dinstein

2. The course What are the biological causes of autism?
How is brain development different in autism?
Anatomy? Function?

4. The lab
Dr. Gal Meiri

6. History of Autism
In the past autism was often diagnosed as schizophrenia and individuals were placed in psychiatric asylums.
1943: Dr. Leo Kaner describes 11 cases of autism and promotes the “refrigerator mother” theory.
1944: Dr. Hans Asperger describes Asperger’s syndrome.
1964: First discussions of autism as a biological disorder
1977: First study showing that autism has a genetic component.
1980s: First structured therapy (Applied Behavioral Analysis).
1990s: ADOS and ADI standardized diagnostic tests are published.
2000s: Large scale biological research into autism begins.

7. History of Autism
1998: Vaccine panic after an article claims a causal relationship between vaccines and the development of autism.
2000: Previously eliminated Rubella, Mumps, and Measles diseases resurface in Europe and the US. Several children die and others are left handicapped.
2010: The original article is retracted and the physician who authored it loses his medical license.

8. Previous clinical definition – DSM IV TR
Language delay and dysfunction
Social difficulties
Repetitive behaviors and confined interests
Autism – all three
Asperger – no language delay
PDD NOS – mild symptoms

9. Definition since May – DSM V
Language delay and dysfunction
Social and communication difficulties
Repetitive behaviors and confined interests
Sensory abnormalities
Mild, moderate, and severe autism
Asperger – no language delay
PDD NOS – mild symptoms
Future definitions?

10. Developmental disorder
Symptoms change throughout life

11. Autism usually means a lot more…
25-70% have low IQ (<70).
20-30% have clinical epilepsy.
Over 90% have sensory hypo and hyper sensitivities.
Motor clumsiness, balance, and gait problems.
Sleeping and digestive problems.
Differences in memory and learning.
Mood disorders

12. Extreme heterogeneity
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”

13. Example #1 – Rainman (min 18) Example #2 – Carly Example #3 – Temple Grandin

14. Difficulty with changes
Common symptoms
Eye contact
Joint attention
Abnormal affect
Tantrums
Lack of initiation
No imitation
Low responsiveness
Obsession with order
Difficulty with changes
Avoid interactions
Over-sensitivities
Repetitiveness

15. “golden standard” behavioral tests
ADOS
Communication
Social
Stereotyped behaviors

16. “golden standard” behavioral tests
ADI
Communication
Social
Stereotyped behaviors

17. Vaccines
Andy Wakefield

18. Behavioral therapies Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) – Video1
Floortime by Greenspan – Video2
Actual therapy – Video3