Autism

WHAT IS 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, impacting development
in the areas of social interaction and communication
skills. Both children and adults with autism typically
show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal
communication, social interactions, and leisure or play
activities. Autism is around 4 times more likely to
occur in boys than girls.
Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the
umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders
(PDD), a category of neurological disorders
characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in
several areas of development."
 Levels of Autism
Mild Autism Moderate Autism
Severe/Profound Autism
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.
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.
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 then try to use gestures.
May echo words or phrases.
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.
Repetitive behavior
Autistic individuals display many forms of repetitive or
restricted behavior, which the Repetitive Behavior Scale-
Revised (RBS-R) categorizes as follows:

Stereotype repetitive body movements (hand flapping,

rocking) and/or abnormal posture (toe walking)
Compulsive behavior is intended and appears to follow
rules, such as arranging objects in stacks or lines.
Sameness is resistance to change; for example, insisting
that the furniture not be moved or refusing to be
interrupted.
Ritualistic behavior involves an unvarying pattern of
daily activities, such as an unchanging menu or a
dressing ritual. This is closely associated with sameness
and an independent validation has suggested combining
the two factors.

Restricted behavior is limited in focus, interest, or

activity, such as preoccupation with a single television
program, toy, or game.

Self-injury includes movements that injure or can injure

the person, such as eye poking, skin picking, hand biting,
and head banging. A 2007 study reported that self-injury
at some point affected about 30% of children with ASD.
A young boy with autism who has arranged
his toys in order of size
A young boy with autism who has arranged
cans in stacks or lines.
TYPES OF AUTISM

Severe Autism (Autistic

Disorder) - Severe autism is
officially termed autistic
disorder. It goes by many
other names, though,
including profound autism,
low functioning autism, or
classic autism. People with
autistic disorder are often
non-verbal and intellectually
disabled, and may have very
challenging behaviors.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (P.D.D)-
Also called "A typical Autism." Children with this
disorder have many of the same characteristics
of Autism, but not all the criteria associated with
Autism.

Classical Autism - The symptoms of classical

autism are usually recognized by the time child
reaches three years of age. Once diagnosed,
there are different methods that can be used to
treat the disorder. Diet changes and proper care
have been quite successful in treating classical
autism.

.
Kanner's Syndrome- is also known as early infantile
autism which occurs before the age of three, and has
typical autism symptoms. The child may appear
unaware of his surroundings and may focus
particularly on one or two objects only. He may be
unable to make eye contact with people around him
and may not respond to standard communication
efforts.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - The symptoms of

childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) are usually
observed between the year of two and four. The
condition leads to disintegration of physical, verbal,
mental and social abilities. The child may withdraw
from his normal behavior and lose the ability to
communicate with people around him.
Asperger's Disorder - Children with this disorder do not
have the usual language barriers associated with
Autism and are generally very intelligent. However,
they do tend to struggle with social interactions, and
can fixate on a particular object or subject they take
an interest in, and talk about it constantly.
Hans Christian Andersen Isaac Newton

Tajiri Satoshi
Rett Disorder - is a genetic
disorder that affects only girls. It is
the only one of the autism spectrum
disorders that can be diagnosed
medically. Girls with Rett syndrome
develop severe symptoms including
the hallmark social communication
challenges of autism. In addition,
Rett syndrome can profoundly
impair girls' ability to use their
hands usefully.
Savant Syndrome- is wherein an individual is
suffering from a mental or physical disability but
possesses remarkable, and sometimes
spectacular talents.

Kim Peek Daniel Tammet

Thristan “Tum-Tum” Mendoza
 Savant Skills
(examples of prodigious savants)

• Memorization - superior memory is a common feature

of savant syndrome, but it also can be a special skill in
its own right. There are cases of savants who have
memorized population statistics, telephone books, bus
schedules etc.

• Lightening calculation - this is exhibited in the

instantaneous calculation of multiplications, square
roots, etc, the determination of prime numbers, or
subtizing.

• Calendar calculating - often involving the ability to

identify the days of the week upon which a particular
date falls, in one case any time in the last, or next, forty
thousand years!
• Musical ability - this is a relatively common savant skill,
the co-occurrence of musical genius, blindness and
learning disability is a striking feature here. Savants will
have perfect pitch, and can play a complete piece of
music after hearing it only once.

• Artistic ability - not as common as musical abilities, but

there are savants who are exceptional in painting,
sculpture and especially in drawing.

• Language ability - this is fairly rare, but there is one well

documented case of a savant who could read write and
translate 15 to 20 languages.
CAUSES OF AUTISM

Although autism is the result of a

neurologic abnormality, the cause of these
problems with the nervous system is
unknown in most cases. Research findings
indicate a strong genetic component.
Most likely, environmental,
immunologic, and metabolic factors also
influence the development of the disorder.
AUTISM PREVENTION

There is no cure or prevention for autism;

however, there is good news.
Our improving understanding of autism has
shown that, regardless of the severity of the
condition, appropriate treatment and education
can eventually help many children with autism to
be integrated into their community.
Early diagnosis is essential for
implementing appropriate treatment and
education at an early age, when they can do the
most good.
THANK YOU!