3. Description
• Autism is a term for a group of complex disorders of
brain development, and falls under the umbrella of
pervasive developmental disorders (PDD).
• It is characterized by difficulties in social interaction,
verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive
behaviors, intellectual disabilities, and difficulties
with motor coordination and attention.
4. Pervasive developmental
disorders
A group of disorders that are characterized by :
impairments in social interaction, impairment in verbal and
nonverbal communication, and a restrictive, stereotypic
pattern of behavior
5.
6. Definition of Autism
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically
appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a
neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the
brain.
• Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties
in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions,
and leisure or play activities.
7. Asperger’s Disorder
• Impairments in social interactions, and presence of
restricted interests and activities
• No clinically significant general delay in language
• Average to above average intelligence
8. Pervasive Developmental Disorder
– Not Otherwise Specified
(PDD-NOS)
• Often referred to as atypical autism
• Used when a child does not meet the
criteria for a specific diagnosis, but there is
severe and pervasive impairment in
specified behaviors
9. Rett’s Disorder
• Progressive disorder which, to date, has
only occurred in girls.
• Period of normal development and then
the loss of previously acquired skills
• Also loss of purposeful use of hands,
which is replaced by repetitive hand
movements
• Beginning at age of 1-4 years
10. Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder
• Normal development for at least the first 2
years
• Then significant loss of previously
acquired skills
11. Autism
• Autism is a spectrum disorder
• This means that symptoms and characteristics
can present themselves in wide variety of
combinations, from mild to severe
• Autistic individuals can be very different from
each other
• “Autism” is still commonly used to refer to any of
the 5 PDDs
12. Characteristics of autism
Most signs or characteristics of Autism are evident in the areas of
speech or communication (verbal and non-verbal).
Many of the signs or symptoms of Autism begin presenting
themselves between 2 and 6 years of age.
13.
14. The research indicates the following symptoms
are the most commonly found characteristics
of Autism:
• The child is unable to coo by 12 months.
• The child also does not point or gesture by 12 months.
• The child does not say single words by 16 months.
• The child does not say 2 or more words by 24 months.
• Has lost some of social skills or language abilities.
•
15. Other Characteristics include:
No fear of danger.
Over or under sensitivity to pain.
May avoid eye contact with you.
May prefer to be by him/herself.
Has difficulty expressing what they want or need
May echo words or phrases.
16. May have inappropriate attachments to objects.
May spin his/herself or objects. Prolonged repetitive play.
May insist on things/routines always being the same.
May exhibit inappropriate laughing (laughing when not appropriate
to the situation).
May display tantrums for no apparent reason.
May avoid cuddling.
May exhibit self injurious behavior when upset i.e. biting selves or
banging heads.
An overall difficulty interacting with others.
17.
18. Causes of autism
Research indicates that the cause of Autism is likely
biological, but this may not be the only cause.
Evidence has shown that 1 in 3 people diagnosed with
Autism have had around 1-2 epileptic seizures by the
time they reach adulthood.
19. Causes of autism
Also, Autism tends to run in families, pointing to a
possible genetic cause. And autopsies of the brain have
shown deficits in various parts of the brain (i.e.
cerebellum, frontal lobes, brain stem).
Scientists have also found abnormal levels of
neurotransmitters in the brain, such as Serotonin.
20. Diagnosis
• No specific test
• Usually, parents are concerned with child’s
development and physicians perform a
psychiatric exam to rule out schizophrenia,
mutism, hearing impairment, or mental
retardation
• DSM-IV criteria
21.
22. Autism treatments
Currently there is no known cure for Autism. The
disorder is treated by working to change the
symptoms of Autism ie. helping to improve the
person's ability to communicate and cope with the
symptoms and deal with the repetitive behaviors.
23. Types of Treatments
• There are many different types of treatments available.
For example, auditory training, discrete trial training,
vitamin therapy, anti-yeast therapy, facilitated
communication, music therapy,etc.
The different types of treatments can generally be
broken down into the following categories:
• Behavior and Communication Approaches
• Dietary Approaches
• Medication
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
