Definition & Characteristics

BY: Nury Montserrat Palu Clinical and Educational Psychologist

 Autism

is a complex, developmental disability that is evident within the first 3 years of life. It is a behaviorally defined syndrome that is recognized by difficulties in communication, social interaction and perceptual organization. Symptoms vary in degree of severity, from mild to severe impairments, thats why they are displayed into a spectrum.

Autism shall mean a developmental disability which significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before the age of three, that adversely affects educational performance.*

Autism

is a developmental disability that affects a childs communication, social interaction skills, and patterns of behavior.

 Variance

in characteristics and levels of functioning.

Is recognized by difficulties in:
Communication Social interaction Perceptual organization.

Generally

dont possess Savantabilities

4 to 5 times more prevalent in males than females More common than Down syndrome, childhood cancer or Fragile X syndrome. A condition that can co-occur with other conditions, for example Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Learning Disability, Down Syndrome, Hyperlexia, etc.

A lifelong neurodevelopmental disability. A disability that is usually evident during the first three years of life. Knows no racial or socioeconomic differences A developmental disability that can be improved and intervened upon, but currently there is no cure.

Autism is NOT
a

mental illness unruly kids who choose not to behave caused by poor parenting always associated with mental impairment always associated with behavioral challenges diagnosed by a single medical test or a brief observation

 Impairments

in communication Impairments in social interaction Restricted interests and patterns of behavior Disturbance of response to sensory stimuli

 Possible

uneven development in cognitive, communicative, social, adaptive & motor skills Examples:

A child may excel in academics but have difficulties relating to others socially A child may be able to write many difficult words on paper, but can not spell them orally.

 Individuals

with Aspergers Disorder may display some or all of the following:

Difficulty forming appropriate relationship with peers Lack of spontaneous sharing of interests and achievements Difficulty reading social cues and social situations Difficulty with social reciprocity May have uneven motor skill development

Special/restricted interests *These INTERFERE with acquisition of other skills

Adherence to routines that are not functional Difficulty with changes in routines Preoccupation with parts of objects

 Strong

visual performance skills Ability to learn and follow routines Focused attention related to special interests Rote Memory Honest

Often, the following are strengths for students with Aspergers Disorder: Cognitive ability Grammar and vocabulary Rote memory Absorbs facts easily Interest in social world (may be unconventional) Special talents

Etiology & Prevalence

 It

is generally accepted that autism may by caused by brain abnormalities. It is also widely accepted that autism may be associated with a genetic event but no single gene or group of genes account for all autism cases. Thus, there may be several autism genes, potentially representing different profiles of autism.

 It

is likely that autism is not caused by one single factor. Evidence that many genes may interact to cause autism Theory that individuals may be predisposed to autism and environmental factors (chemicals, etc.) may influence the development of autism

Currently, there is no empirical data linking: Autism to MMR vaccinations. Autism and Mercury poisoning. Improvements for children with autism with restricted diets, secretin, or other adjunctive therapies.