1. CoPA Meeting Update on ASD Maureen A. Conroy, PhD May 15, 2009
Check who is in the audience
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

2. Historical Perspective
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

3. Historical Perspective
WHERE’S AUTISM?
Harder to find children dx with autism—prevalence rates were around 1 in 1000
No educational category as part of Part B of IDEA until the 1990 reauthorization
Kids were labeled as MR or possibly EBD
Thought majority of kids had comorbid MR
Thought HFA were rainmen
Had little idea or perspective about the true “spectrum” of autism
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 3

4. Current Trends Where we are now. Where will we be in 10, 15, 20 years?
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

5. Spotlight on ASD
Increased focus on autism research and intervention in legislation, media, & funding agencies
National
Combating Autism Act
Interagency Autism Coordinating Council
Autism Centers of Excellence (
National Professional Development Center on ASD
Increase in autism research budget
State & Local
Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services
TTAC focus on ASD (APP)
Commonwealth Autism Services (CAS)
Virginia Autism Council (VAC)
Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC)
Communities of Practice in Autism (CoPA)
University Centers
Combating autism act & others on list on reference list
Ami Klin (Yale University): to study early social interactions and development and disruptions in these processes in children ages months with ASD.
Sally Rogers - MIND Institute
IACC
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

6. Where are we now? Autism is an epidemic!
1 in 150 children will receive a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (Centers for Disease Control, 2006)
Crosses class, racial, ethnic, and geographical boundaries
2nd most common developmental disability
We need more service providers
We need more training
We need more teachers and early interventionists
We need more research and money to do research
Cure vs. treatments
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 6

7. Why is autism an epidemic?
There may really be more children with ASD
Better screening and diagnostic tools
We now have a “spectrum”
Genetic factors
Identifying children with autism earlier
Screening & dx tools—we’re picking up HFA kids now who used to slip through the cracks & more first level responders (pediatricians) using those tools
Genetic factors—families who have 1 child with autism are more likely to have another child with autism
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 7

8. What is autism? Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

9. What is autism? Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder
Onset prior to age 3
Syndrome/Spectrum Disorder
Social relatedness difficulties
Communication impairments
Behavioral excesses
Perinatal Insult
Genetic Liability
Environmental Trigger
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author

10. What is autism? 4-5 times more prevalent in boys than girls10
4-5 times more prevalent in boys than girls
Occurs on a behavioral continuum
50-75% of individuals have comorbid mental retardation
15-20% have average or above average intelligence
Dimensions of Autism IQ HI
Age
Age—bimodel onset of epilepsy (in childhood or adolescence), needs of family & child change as the person with autism ages
Families with young children typically want information & resources on treatment options. They want to see if there is a cure
Families of older children become concerned about the individual’s independence & what their life will be like when the parents are no longer physically able to care for them
Mild
Symptoms
Severe LO
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 10

11. Lifelong Disorder
2-3 years of age—aloof/passive; social/communication symptoms
4-5 years of age—increase in a variety of repetitive behaviors
>5 years of age—increase in social interest
Adolescence—social inappropriateness amplified
Adulthood—1-2% live independently; 1/3 have some degree of independence; 2/3 require supervision
>5—children have received intervention, they’ve had longer and more frequent access to peers, so with some children we may start to see an increase in social interest
Adolescence—around issues of dating & sexuality; typical teenagers aren’t always the nicest bunch (peer pressure); teasing
Conroy (2009)
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of author 11

12. Stay tuned for more…