1. Characteristics of Autism
Christy Bacus
Kelly Mallory
Vern Ferry
Cassie Flynn

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autistic Disorder
Rett’s Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Asperger’s Disorder
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified

3. Social Characteristics
Impairments in social interaction
Dislike physical affection
Difficulty establishing relationships with others; resulting in lack of friends.
Do not recognize facial expressions.
Lack of response to parent’s voices.

4. Communication Characteristics
Deviations in language development
Echolalia: “parroting”
Palilalia: repeats his or her own words.
Echopraxia: repeats gestures and movements
Neologisms: using made up words
Deficits in Communicative Intent
May have difficulty understanding the intent of a peer’s conversation.
Difficulties in conversation skills
Some are completely non-verbal.

5. Behavioral Characteristics
Repetitive and Stereotypic Behavior
Motor Stereotypes: repetitive motor movements
Hand flapping
Hand wringing
Rocking back and forth
Extreme Need for a Routine
Lack of routine can results in frustration and temper tantrums.

6. Behavioral Characteristics Cont.
Unusual Preoccupation with Objects or Activities
Strong attachments to objects
Stones
Pieces of plastic toys
Especially objects that spin, glitter, or are round
Preoccupation
Parts of objects
Focuses on complex details of one subject/topic.
Specific Sensory and Motor Characteristics
Abnormal response to stimuli, including sound.
Reduced sensitivity to pain, heat or cold.
Abnormal activity levels (hyperactivity or hypoactivity)
Abnormal eating and sleeping behaviors.

7. Cognitive Characteristics
Low IQ
Difficulty in Executive Functioning
Planning
Shifting Attention Working Memory
Deficits in Theory of Mind
Seeing the world from other’s perspectives
Strengths in Visual Skills
They think visually, such as pictures.

8. Possible Causes
No known definite cause, but thought to be neurological or brain based.
Theories
Poor parenting
Childhood vaccinations