What is Autism?

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Autism is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development," including social interaction and communications skills (DSM-IV-TR). The five disorders under PDD are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in its Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Prevalence of Autism

Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 2 to 6 per 1,000 individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism.

And that number is on the rise. Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per year. At these rates, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

The overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, but is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, and family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence.

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Autism Powerpoint Presentation

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Autism Powerpoint Presentation (HTML)

 

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Teaching Adaptations for those with Autism

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Found at autism-society.org

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Facts about Autism

¼% to 1/2% of the Population
more prevalent in males then females

Brain disorder affects a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships and respond appropriately to their environment.

Cause:
Dysfunction in neural structure of the brain
Abnormal biochemistry of the brain

There are cases of abnormalities being caused by food intolerance and sensitivities, there are cases were parents have seen dramatic changes after removing certain food items from autistic individuals diet.

Some will exhibit symptoms in infancy, Most their symptoms will not be evident tell until the child slips farther and farther behind normal development from children of the same age.

Some start out well in normal development and then at about 18 to 36 months old they will start rejecting people, and lose language and social skills they have already
acquired.

Common Traits:

Communication:

Social Relationships:
Act as if unaware of coming and going of others
Physically attack and injure others without be provoked
Inaccessible, does not respond to people interation with them

Environment:
Remain fixated on single item or activity
No sensitivity to burns, or bruises, engage in self-mutilation