autism national association of special education teachers

AutismAutismNATIONAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

TEACHERSTEACHERS

Autism in IDEAAutism in IDEA Autism is defined under IDEA asAutism is defined under IDEA as a developmental disability significantly affecting a developmental disability significantly affecting

verbal and nonverbal communication and social verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, usually evident before age 3 that interaction, usually evident before age 3 that adversely affects a child’s educational adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.” experiences.”

Autism in DSM IV-TRAutism in DSM IV-TR

In the Diagnostic and In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by Statistical Manual used by mental health professionals, mental health professionals, Autism falls under the Autism falls under the category called Pervasive category called Pervasive Developmental Disorders Developmental Disorders (PDD)(PDD)

Autism Spectrum DisordersAutism Spectrum Disorders

Sometimes in the Sometimes in the literature you will see literature you will see the PDD disorders the PDD disorders categorized under categorized under Autism Spectrum Autism Spectrum Disorders ASDDisorders ASD


an increasingly popular term an increasingly popular term that refers to a broad that refers to a broad definition of autism including definition of autism including the classical form of the the classical form of the disorder as well as closely disorder as well as closely related disabilities that related disabilities that share many of the core share many of the core characteristics. characteristics.


ASD includes the ASD includes the following diagnoses following diagnoses and classifications:and classifications:


(1)Autistic Disorder also referred (1)Autistic Disorder also referred to as Classic Autismto as Classic Autism

(2) Pervasive Developmental (2) Pervasive Developmental Disorder—Not Otherwise Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), which Specified (PDD-NOS), which refers to a collection of features refers to a collection of features that resemble autism but may that resemble autism but may not be as severe or extensive;not be as severe or extensive;


(3) Rett's syndrome, which (3) Rett's syndrome, which affects girls and is a genetic affects girls and is a genetic disorder with hard neurological disorder with hard neurological signs, including seizures, that signs, including seizures, that become more apparent with age;become more apparent with age;


(4) Asperger syndrome, which (4) Asperger syndrome, which refers to individuals with autistic refers to individuals with autistic characteristics but relatively characteristics but relatively intact language abilities,intact language abilities,


(5) Childhood Disintegrative (5) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, which refers to Disorder, which refers to children whose development children whose development appears normal for the first few appears normal for the first few years, but then regresses with years, but then regresses with the loss of speech and other the loss of speech and other skillsskills until the characteristics of until the characteristics of autism are conspicuousautism are conspicuous


Although the classical form of Although the classical form of autism can be readily autism can be readily distinguished from other forms distinguished from other forms of ASD, the terms autism and of ASD, the terms autism and ASD are often used ASD are often used interchangeably.interchangeably.

IncidenceIncidence

10 years ago Autism and PDD occured in 10 years ago Autism and PDD occured in approximately 5 to 15 per 10,000 births. approximately 5 to 15 per 10,000 births. These disorders were four times more These disorders were four times more common in boys than girls.common in boys than girls.

Today, the Centers for Disease Control Today, the Centers for Disease Control believe that the incidence may be as great believe that the incidence may be as great as 1 in 166 for those diagnosed with autism, as 1 in 166 for those diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and other pervasive Asperger’s syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders. developmental disorders.

IncidenceIncidence

In the past 10 years, California In the past 10 years, California has had a 273% increase in the has had a 273% increase in the number of children with autism number of children with autism who enter the developmental who enter the developmental services system---1,685 new services system---1,685 new cases last year alone"cases last year alone"

IncidenceIncidence

Rise in incidence from Change in Rise in incidence from Change in CriteriaCriteria

"It would be very surprising indeed if "It would be very surprising indeed if the broadening of the criteria for the broadening of the criteria for autism weren't the major part of the autism weren't the major part of the explanation," says Michael Rutter of explanation," says Michael Rutter of the Institute of Psychiatry in London.the Institute of Psychiatry in London.

IncidenceIncidence

Increased public recognition of the Increased public recognition of the disorder is also likely to have disorder is also likely to have contributed to the apparent contributed to the apparent epidemic. As parents and doctors epidemic. As parents and doctors have become more familiar with the have become more familiar with the disease, the chances that they will disease, the chances that they will identify potential cases and refer identify potential cases and refer them to psychiatrists have increased. them to psychiatrists have increased.

CausesCauses

Medical researchers are exploring Medical researchers are exploring different explanations for the various different explanations for the various forms of autism. Although a single forms of autism. Although a single specific cause of autism is not specific cause of autism is not known, current research links autism known, current research links autism to biological or neurological to biological or neurological differences in the brain differences in the brain

CausesCauses

In 1998, Andrew Wakefield, a In 1998, Andrew Wakefield, a gastroenterologist at University gastroenterologist at University College London, proposed a novel College London, proposed a novel and terrifying connection between and terrifying connection between autism and the combination autism and the combination measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine. vaccine.

CausesCauses

He described the cases of 12 children He described the cases of 12 children who appeared to be developing who appeared to be developing normally until they received their normally until they received their MMR shot between the ages of 15 MMR shot between the ages of 15 and 18 months. Soon after, the and 18 months. Soon after, the children developed a kind of children developed a kind of inflammatory bowel disease, began inflammatory bowel disease, began losing basic speech and social skills, losing basic speech and social skills, and were subsequently diagnosed and were subsequently diagnosed with autism.with autism.

CausesCauses

Subsequent studies have failed to Subsequent studies have failed to find a link between MMR and autismfind a link between MMR and autism12-1412-14. On closer analysis, the data . On closer analysis, the data from several parts of the world show from several parts of the world show that the rise in autism actually that the rise in autism actually started before MMR, Rutter explains. started before MMR, Rutter explains.

CausesCauses

But just as the MMR controversy is dying But just as the MMR controversy is dying down, another potential vaccine-related down, another potential vaccine-related cause for autism has been highlighted. cause for autism has been highlighted. Many vaccines use a mercury-containing Many vaccines use a mercury-containing preservative called thiomersal. Fears that preservative called thiomersal. Fears that vaccinations may be exposing children to vaccinations may be exposing children to dangerous levels of mercury have led the dangerous levels of mercury have led the US Institute of Medicine to schedule a US Institute of Medicine to schedule a meeting for next month to discuss possible meeting for next month to discuss possible links between thiomersal and autism. links between thiomersal and autism.

CausesCauses

Despite lingering fears over the Despite lingering fears over the safety of vaccines, many researchers safety of vaccines, many researchers believe that the real key to believe that the real key to understanding autism lies in understanding autism lies in sufferers' genes. sufferers' genes.

CausesCauses

One study found that if one identical One study found that if one identical twin has autism, the other twin has a twin has autism, the other twin has a 60% chance of developing the 60% chance of developing the condition, and a 92% chance of condition, and a 92% chance of having a condition within the having a condition within the DSMDSM's 's spectrum of related disorders. spectrum of related disorders.

CausesCauses

But the fact that the identical twin of But the fact that the identical twin of a child with autism may not develop a child with autism may not develop the condition suggests that the condition suggests that environmental factors are also environmental factors are also involved. Mutations to one or more involved. Mutations to one or more autism genes may, for instance, autism genes may, for instance, increase a child's vulnerability to an increase a child's vulnerability to an unknown environmental trigger unknown environmental trigger encountered during early infancy or encountered during early infancy or in the womb.in the womb.

General CharacteristicsGeneral Characteristics

Communication problems Communication problems (e.g., using and (e.g., using and understanding language); understanding language);

Difficulty in relating to Difficulty in relating to people, objects, and people, objects, and events;events;


Unusual play with toys and Unusual play with toys and other objects;other objects;

Difficulty with changes in Difficulty with changes in routine or familiar routine or familiar surroundings; surroundings;

Repetitive body movements Repetitive body movements or behavior patterns.or behavior patterns.


Children with autism Children with autism or PDD vary widely in or PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, abilities, intelligence, and behaviors.and behaviors.


Some children do not Some children do not speak; others have speak; others have limited language that limited language that often includes repeated often includes repeated phrases or phrases or conversations.conversations.


People with more People with more advanced language advanced language skills tend to use a skills tend to use a small range of topics small range of topics and have difficulty and have difficulty with abstract conceptswith abstract concepts..


Repetitive play skills, Repetitive play skills, a limited range of a limited range of interests, and interests, and impaired social skills impaired social skills are generally evident are generally evident as well.as well.


Unusual responses to Unusual responses to sensory information -- sensory information -- for example, loud for example, loud noises, lights, certain noises, lights, certain textures of food or textures of food or fabrics -- are also fabrics -- are also common.common.

Asperger's SyndromeAsperger's Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome (AS) Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a neurobiological is a neurobiological disorder, which most disorder, which most researchers feel falls at researchers feel falls at the "high-end" of the the "high-end" of the Autistic Spectrum.Autistic Spectrum.

Asperger’s SyndromeAsperger’s Syndrome

AS is a relatively new AS is a relatively new term in the United term in the United States, having only States, having only recently being officially recently being officially recognized as a recognized as a diagnosis by the medical diagnosis by the medical communitycommunity


Because of their high Because of their high degree of functionality degree of functionality and their naivete, those and their naivete, those with AS are often viewed with AS are often viewed by their peers as odd, by their peers as odd, and are frequently a and are frequently a target for bullying.target for bullying.


socially awkward and clumsy in socially awkward and clumsy in relations with other children relations with other children and/or adultsand/or adults

naive and gulliblenaive and gullible often unaware of others' feelingsoften unaware of others' feelings


unable to carry on a "give and unable to carry on a "give and take" conversationtake" conversation

easily upset by changes in easily upset by changes in routines and transitionsroutines and transitions

literal in speech and literal in speech and understandingunderstanding


overly sensitive to loud overly sensitive to loud sounds, lights or odorssounds, lights or odors

fixated on one subject fixated on one subject or objector object

physically awkward in physically awkward in sportssports


unusually accurate memory for unusually accurate memory for detailsdetails

sleeping or eating problemssleeping or eating problems trouble understanding things they trouble understanding things they

have heard or readhave heard or read inappropriate body language or facial inappropriate body language or facial

expressionexpression unusual speech patterns (repetitive unusual speech patterns (repetitive

and/or irrelevant remarks)and/or irrelevant remarks)


stilted, formal manner of stilted, formal manner of speaking speaking

unusually loud, high or unusually loud, high or monotonous voice monotonous voice

tendency to rock, fidget or pace tendency to rock, fidget or pace while concentratingwhile concentrating

Rett SyndromeRett Syndrome

a neurological disorder a neurological disorder seen almost exclusively in seen almost exclusively in femalesfemales

found in a variety of racial found in a variety of racial and ethnic groups and ethnic groups worldwideworldwide


The child with RS usually shows:The child with RS usually shows: an early period of apparently an early period of apparently

normal or near normal normal or near normal development until 6-18 months development until 6-18 months of lifeof life


A period of temporary A period of temporary stagnation or regression stagnation or regression follows during which the follows during which the child loses child loses communication skills communication skills and purposeful use of and purposeful use of the hands.the hands.


Soon, problems with Soon, problems with hand movements, hand movements, gait disturbances, gait disturbances, and slowing of the and slowing of the rate of head growth rate of head growth become apparent.become apparent.


The characteristic hand The characteristic hand movements begin to emerge movements begin to emerge during this stage and often during this stage and often include wringing, washing, include wringing, washing, clapping, or tapping, as well as clapping, or tapping, as well as repeatedly moving the hands to repeatedly moving the hands to the mouth. the mouth.


Hands are sometimes Hands are sometimes clasped behind the back clasped behind the back or held at the sides, with or held at the sides, with random touching, random touching, grasping, and releasing. grasping, and releasing.


Some girls also display Some girls also display autistic-like symptoms autistic-like symptoms such as loss of social such as loss of social interaction and interaction and communication. communication.


Rett syndrome is caused by Rett syndrome is caused by mutations (structural mutations (structural alterations or defects) in the alterations or defects) in the MECP2 (pronounced MECP2 (pronounced meck-meck-pea-twopea-two) gene, which is ) gene, which is found on the X chromosome found on the X chromosome

CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDERDISORDER

Childhood Disintegrative Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (also known as Disorder (also known as Heller's Syndrome) is a Heller's Syndrome) is a condition in which a child condition in which a child develops normally for 2 develops normally for 2 years, then begins to lose years, then begins to lose ground.ground.

CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDERDISORDER

Previous gains in Previous gains in language and social skills, language and social skills, motor abilities, play, and motor abilities, play, and even in continence are even in continence are eroded. eroded.

Classic AutismClassic Autism

Classic autism is the best known Classic autism is the best known subtype of this disorder (PDD) and subtype of this disorder (PDD) and involves severe qualitative deficits in involves severe qualitative deficits in social interaction, language social interaction, language communication and play and is communication and play and is associated with stereotypic and associated with stereotypic and perseverative behavior. perseverative behavior.

High Functioning AutismHigh Functioning Autism Symptoms include delayed or absence of speech, Symptoms include delayed or absence of speech,

the inability to appropriately relate to others, the inability to appropriately relate to others, repetitive movements, such as hand flapping, and repetitive movements, such as hand flapping, and an insistence of a routine. an insistence of a routine.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder:Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Not Not otherwise specified - (commonly referred to as otherwise specified - (commonly referred to as atypical autism) a diagnosis of PDD-NOS may be atypical autism) a diagnosis of PDD-NOS may be made when a child does not meet the criteria for made when a child does not meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis, but there is severe and a specific diagnosis, but there is severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors. pervasive impairment in specified behaviors.

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