1. EXIT 303: AUTISM
Paul and Erin.
(Just Call Us Perin)

2. Autism Defined Physical disorder of the brain
Causes a lifelong developmental disability
Varies widely in abilities and behaviors

3. In the 1990s disability rose 16%
Causes
No single cause
Generally accepted that its caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function
Heredity, genetics, or inherited?
Environmental?
Diet?
In the 1990s disability rose 16%
Autism rose 172%
WHAT IS GOING ON?

4. Symptoms Failure to develop normal socialization
Disturbances in speech, language, and communication
- About 40% of children with autism don’t speak at all
3) Abnormal relationships to objects and events

5. Symptoms Cont. 4) Abnormal responses to sensory stimulation
5) Developmental delays and differences
6) Begins during infancy or childhood
- Born with autism

6. RED FLAGS Impairment in Social Interaction:
Lack of appropriate eye gaze
Lack of warm, joyful expressions
Lack of sharing interest or enjoyment
Lack of response to name
Impairment in Communication:
Lack of showing gestures
Lack of coordination of nonverbal communication
Unusual prosody
Repetitive Behaviors & Restricted Interests:
Repetitive movements with objects
Repetitive movements or posturing of body, arms, hands, or fingers

7. Diagnosis Routine development screening
AAP urging early screening for ALL children
Physicians rely on caregivers for observational information
Various medical tests
To recognize a child’s risk for developmental disorders, then, is to also recognize and maximize a child’s potential.

8. Treatment No single cure (like there is no single cause)
Questions about if it is even treatable
Early diagnosis can lead to improvements
Some believe the brain can adapt to neurological deficits (not scientifically proven)

9. Treatment Cont. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
DIR Method (or “Floortime”)
Son-Rise
GFCF Diet: Theory that some autistics can’t digest gluten or casein and it alters their behavior

10. Data Local Resources: - Schools - FACES Northwest - The Arc
- University of Washington Autism Center
- FEAT
- Sisu Children’s fund
Statistics:
- Occurs in 1 out of 150 children
- If extrapolated works out to 560, nationwide
- Fastest growing developmental disability
- $90 billion annual cost

11. Savants Some individuals with autism have extraordinary abilities
Around 10% of people with Autism have some special skill
Three types of skills:
1. Splinter skills - the most common type
2. Talented skills - the person has a more highly
developed
and specialized skill.
3. Prodigious skills - the rarest type.
tube.com/watch?v=v050lDyfQOQ

12. Interview Set up and setting is important Adapt within a routine
Lots of family communication-- just want their child to have a friend
Adapt to social community, huge on independence
Well thought of because within regular classes

13. ENCORE?