Learning About Autism

Clip 1 – How do you feel about being autistic?

Clip 2 – Do you like being autistic?

What is ASD?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Aspergers is a life-long neurological developmental disorder

The term “spectrum” is used to recognize a range of disorders that include a range of developmental issues. The general level of intelligence can vary significantly across the population

Presentation of symptoms may change over time

ASD and PDD

The terms Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) are currently used synonymously to refer to a wide spectrum of neuro-developmental disorders that have three core features:

•Impairments in social interaction•Impairments in verbal and non verbal communication•Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour

Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome

Share the same diagnostic criteria in: •Impairments in social interaction•Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour

The differences are:

•No language delay (although there may be communication difficulties) in Aspergers •No cognitive delay in Aspergers

Autism and Aspergers Disorder (Perry and Collins, 2003)

Autistic Disorder Asperger’s Disorder

Symptom Onset Evident between 1-3 years

Evident after age 3

Early Language Development

Impaired Proficient (even precocious)

Motor Skills Consisted with developmental level

Increased clumsiness

Overall Intellectual Skills

Mostly below average Mostly at or above average

Verbal skills (vocabulary & comprehension

Relative weakness Relative strength

Social Pragmatic Aspects of Language (conversation, prosody, non-verbal)

Relative weakness Relative weakness

Repetitive Behaviour and Interests

More physical mannerisms

More verbal/cognitive mannerisms

What Causes ASD?

The exact cause is still not known but most experts believe it is caused by multiple, interacting genes leading to a genetic susceptibility triggered by an unknown environmental event.

Is There a Cure for ASD?

There is no cure for ASD. However, early intervention that addresses communication and social skills training means that many individuals with ASD can learn the skills necessary to lead full and productive lives.

The Prevalence of Autism (ASD)

•1-165 in Canada, (Fombonne, 2006) 1 in 150 world wide (NIMH, 2007)

•Occurs across all races and socio economic groups

•Autism: Male to female 4 or 5:1

•Asperger Syndrome 5-15:1

•Individuals with ASD may have other diagnosis i.e. developmental delay, learning disability, gifted or mental health diagnoses

Communication Difficulties for Students with Autism

Video Clip 3 from “Normal People Scare Me.”

Communication Difficulties for Students with Autism

Video Clip 4 - from “Normal People Scare Me.”

Learning Style of Student’s with ASD

-Many students with Autism have poor central coherence and difficulty with the development of concepts.

-They may be more comfortable with concrete facts and rules.

-They may be very literal thinkers and therefore miss a speakers intended meaning.

The following images illustrate the challenges for literal thinkers in an inferential world.

“A fork in the road.”

“Raining cats and dogs.”

Characteristics of ASD as seen School.

Area of Impairment

The student:

SocialSkills

-demonstrate difficulties interacting with peers and adults- has difficulty reading and understanding social cues or situations- withdraws from or provides unusual responses in social situations- engages in play that is lacking in the imaginative qualities of social play

Communicationskills

- has difficulty communicating thoughts and needs verbally and non-verbally- has difficulty with non-verbal communication, such as use of gestures, pictures, eye contact, and facial expressions- uses speech that includes repetitive, echolalic or unusual language

Behaviour - displays obsessions or preoccupations with specific themes or objects- likes order and may line up toys repeatedly- engages in unusual behaviours eg. rocking, spinning or hand flapping

-gets extremely upset with changes in routine or schedules -has an unusual

response to loud noises or other sensory stimuli

Challenges and Learning Styles

Video clip 5 - from “What Do You See When You See Me?

Sensory / Environmental Considerations

•Sensory processing and the integration of information taken from the senses can have a significant impact on a person with ASD

•Concentration, ability to learn and arousal level can all be affected

Sensory Issues

Video clip 6 - from “Normal People Scare Me.”

Social Issues and Students with AutismVideo Clip 7 from “Normal People Scare Me.”