1. Autism Spectrum Disorder
KidsPeace Community Program & KidsPeace Autism Services
Rob Harvey & Chris Ferry, August 2018

2. Agenda: The Autism Spectrum Diagnosis Common Questions
How do we treat Autism?
Questions

3. What does Autism look like?

4. Prevalence
CDC: Appears in 1/68 children, 1/42 boys and 1/189 girls (4.5 times more prevalent in boys)

5. Diagnosis Initial signs:
Usually the most telling signs show up between age 2 and 3
Lack of eye contact, not responding to their own name, repetitive and/or odd play, self-stimulatory actions, delay in language, lack of interactive play and cuddling
Diagnostic tests can be provided by Psychologists, Developmental Pediatricians, etc.
No blood or verified genetic testing

6. Diagnostic Criteria: DSM V
Autism Spectrum Disorder:
1. Deficits in social communication and interaction
Social/emotional reciprocity
Non-verbal communication
Developing, maintaining and understanding relationships

7. Diagnostic Criteria: DSM V
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
2. Restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects and speech
Insistence on sameness, difficulty with routines, or ritualized patterns of behavior
Highly restricted interests
Hyper or Hyporeactivity to sensory
input

8. Diagnostic Criteria: DSM V
Autism Spectrum Disorder:
3. Symptoms must be present during early developmental stages
But not necessarily caught
4. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment
5. Not better explained by another diagnosis

9. Diagnostic Criteria: DSM V
Autism Spectrum Disorder:
Previously broken into Autism, PDD/NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome, etc.
Now given levels:
Level I: Impaired and requiring support
Level 2: Significantly impaired and requiring substantial support
Level 3: Very significantly impaired and requiring very substantial support

10. Autism Co-occurence AutismSpeaks.org
Rates of individuals with Autism and Epilepsy range between 20 and 40%
3.5% more likely to have chronic stomach issues
At least 30% of individuals with Autism also have an anxiety disorder
AutismSpeaks.org
Also see increased rates of sleep problems, depression, OCD, ADHD and allergies

11. What does Autism look like?

12. Common Questions: What causes Autism?
Why is Autism so much more prevalent now than in the past?
Can an individual with Autism recover/be cured?

14. What we do to help
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
A science and a discipline devoted to understanding and improving human behavior.
Focuses on objectively defined, observable behaviors.
Concerned with socially significant behavior
Applies the basic behavioral principles to learning and teaching
- Examines the relationship between behavior and what happens in the environment

15. Basically . . . We look at the ABC Contingency:
Antecedent
Behavior
Consequence
And try to modify the behavior through intervening during the antecedent and consequence.
We add REINFORCEMENT to see more of the behaviors we want to see
Using a process called “Shaping”
We use PUNISHMENT to decrease the behaviors we want to see less of

16. ABA does not . . . Utilize mind control Focus on shaping all behaviors
It creates more choices!
Focus on shaping all behaviors
Socially significant!
Turn children into robots
Creates freedom and possibilities!
Make children reliant on reinforcement
No more than the rest of us!

17. ABA does . . .
Teach individuals to communicate and interact with peers and community members effectively
Teach individuals to express their wants and needs effectively
Focuses on reinforcement to influence behavior
Make safety and dignity a first priority

18. Other things we teach: Perspective Taking Cognitive Flexibility
Knowledge of popular culture
Turn taking/following directions
Coping Skills
Cultural Awareness
Invisible Social Rules
Understanding & use of nonverbal language

19. Behind the Curtain

20. Services Available
BHRS(Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services)/Wraparound
0-21, all functioning levels
Afterschool/STAP
6-21, higher functioning
Outpatient
Group
Individual
Medication Management
Speech/OT/PT

21. KidsPeace BHRS (Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services) 610-799-8222
One on one service in the home or community, for children birth to 21 yrs.
Behavior Specialist Consultant (BSC) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Mobile Therapist (MT)
Early Intervention BHRS: Version of BHRS that serves children 2-5
More intensive in nature, has on-site component

22. Afterschool and Summer Therapeutic Autism Programs: 610-799-8617
Ages 16-21
Targets children with the ability to communicate and self-reflect
Works on social, communication and coping skills in a group setting
Four days a week, 2-3 hours per day
Summer is five days a week, 9-12, for 5 weeks

23. KidsPeace Outpatient Counseling: 610-799-8000
Individual and Group Therapy
Available to children and parents
Adults seen in Sacred Heart and Allentown sites
Therapy and Medication management
Walk-ins available M-F, 9-5
Sites in Bethlehem, Allentown and Tobyhanna.

24. Want to learn more? My email address: Robert.Harvey@KidsPeace.org
We offer free trainings and presentations!
KidsPeace BHRS Services:
KidsPeace Afterschool and Summer Therapeutic programs for children with Autism:
KidsPeace Outpatient Therapy:
Autism Speaks:
Magellan Behavior Health:
Lehigh County:
Northampton County: