Autism is a complex brain development disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It affects approximately 1 in 88 children in the United States, with boys being 4-5 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. While there is no single known cause of autism, potential causes include rare genetic mutations or changes as well as environmental risk factors during or after pregnancy. Symptoms of autism include challenges with communication, repetitive behaviors, and social interaction difficulties. Treatment involves a combination of therapeutic approaches like applied behavior analysis and medication.

1. Ron Malone

2. What is Autism?
• Autism is a complex disorder of brain development
characterized by:
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Difficulties in social interaction
Difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication
Repetitive behaviors
Intellectual Disability
Difficulties in motor coordination
Difficulties in Attention

3. How Common is Autism?
Approximately 1
• Autism is 4-5 times
more prevalent in boys
than girls.
• Approximately 2 million
people in the United
States are diagnosed
with Autism
in 88 children
Boys
• 1 in 54
Girls
• 1 in 256

4. What are the Causes?
• The puzzle of Autism is
that there is no one
cause
• Autism can occur as a
result of:
– Rare gene changes or
genetic mutations
– Environmental risk
factors during or after
pregnancy
For more information on the
causes of Autism click here

5. What are the Symptoms?
Warning!
3 Core Symptom Interactions
Early Signs of Autism
Communication
Challenges
Repetitive
Behavior
Before 12 Months
After 12 Months
No joyful
expressions
Social-Interaction
Difficulties
No words (16
months)
No sharing of
sounds or facial
expressions
No meaningful twoword phrases (24
months)
No babbling
Lack of social
interaction
No gestures such as
waving or pointing
Prevalence of
behavioral issues

6. Treatment: A Combination
Therapeutic Treatments
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Applied Behavior Analysis
Pivotal Response Therapy
Verbal Behavior Therapy
Relationship Development
Intervention
• Social Communication and
Emotional Regulation
Transactional Support
Medicinal Treatment
• Risperidone
• Aripiprazole
• Serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Fluoxetine
• Naltrexone

7. Summary
• Autism is a brain development disorder which causes
difficulties in social interaction and communication
• Approximately 2 million people in the United State’s suffer
with Autism
• There are many combinations of causes mainly stemming
from genetic abnormalities and environmental factors
• It is important to know the symptoms of Autism in order to
get an early detection to better treatment
• Treatment for Autism includes a combination of
medications (physical) and therapeutic (behavioral/social)
treatments.
• The many medications used to treat Autism are also used
to treat children with ADD or ADHD

8. References
• “Autism Speaks.” Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/
• Images used taken from ClipArt