Sarah Curtis, Brandon Lukens, & Denise Sinquefield

Autism / Asperger’s

au·tism/ˈôˌtizəm/

A mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships

A mental condition in which fantasy dominates over reality

A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment

A tendency to view life in terms of one's own needs and desires

Autism

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Borderline Autism

High-functioning Autism

Asperger’s

PDD

Autistic Tendencies

Rett’s Disorder

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Full Inclusion

Life-Skills

Structure

Predictability

Concrete Speech

Teamwork

History of Autism

1943 Leo Kanner, Child Psychiatrist, discovered new mental disorder 11 socially withdrawn children “He seems to be self-satisfied. He has no apparent

affection when petted. He does not observe the fact that anyone comes or goes, and never seems glad to see father or mother or any playmate. He seems almost to draw into his shell and live within himself.”

Initially grouped in with childhood schizophrenia

Nobody knew though how a child got Autism

History of Aspergers

Hans Asperger was a Viennese child psychologist

In 1944 published first definition of Asperger syndrome 4 boys had autistic psychopathy

Lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one sided conversation, intense absorption in a special interest, clumsy movement

“Little Professors” Ability to talk in extreme detail about favorite subject

Asperger’s syndrome not popularized until 1981 Wasn’t until 1990’s when Asperger’s recognized as a

condition

Bruno Bettelheim, art historian and director of the orthorgenic school, provided own reasoning for Autism in the 1960’s “Refrigerator Mothers”

Blamed emotionally distant mothers who are cold and unnurturing

Bernard Rimland, psychologist and parent of autistic child, provided different idea Due to something biologically

Figuring out how a child

gets Autism/Aspe

rgers

Autism/Aspergers shows no favorites Anybody from any race, culture, SES, or

location

“Refrigerator Mother” still thrown out there as cause Even though its known not to cause some

people still jump to conclusion

Could possibly due to environmental factors High amounts of Mercury

Some research states caused by vaccines Not fully confirmed

Generally accepted reason is due to difference in brain function and structure Could be Genetic Vulnerability as well.

Still Unanswe

red Question

s

Intervention Techniques

Each person with ASD is unique- as well as their intervention plans.

Behavior Treatments, Medicine, or both.

They are likely to have other medical conditions such as:

Sleep disturbance Seizures Gastrointestinal

Distress (GI)

Bryson: Autism-getting ready for bed

Bryson: Almost 2 years later after being put on a gluten free diet

Intervention Techniques

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Positive reinforcement

Early Start Denver Model Early intervention at ages 12 to 48 months Teaching Basic Skills

Floortime Engage with children at their level

Pivotal Response Therapy Develop communication skills, language, and positive

behaviors

In a Specialized Center, Classroom, or Preschool

How are family members included?

Early Behavioral Intervention Therapists come to

the home and deliver services Includes parent

training under therapist supervision.

Resources Available

Jacqueline : High Functioning Autism

Are ethnic minorities over-represented in children who have autism?

More children will be diagnosed with Autism then with AIDS, diabetes and Cancer combined. Lukemia: Affects 1 in 1,200/

funding $277 million Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1

in 100,000/ funding: $162 million

Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 300/ funding: $394 million

Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500/ funding: $156 million

Autism: Affects 1 in 88/ Funding $79 million

References...

Wright, B. S. (2012, August 17). Autismspeaks.org. Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/ Hendrickx, S. (2010). The adolescent and adult neuro-diversity handbook. (pp. 42-61). Philidelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Sears, R. W. (2010). The autism book: What every parent needs to know about early detection, treatment, recovery, and prevention. (1st ed., pp. 3-133). New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.Taylor, P. G. (2011). A beginner's guide to autism spectrum disorders. Philidelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.Turkington, C., & Anan, R. (2007). The encyclopedia of autism spectrum disorders. New York, NY: Facts On File, Inc.Causes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/causes/ Best behaviour consulting. (2010). Retrieved fromhttp://www.bestbehaviour.ca/briefhistory.htm Miller, N. Z. (2010). educate-yourself.org. Retrieved from http://educate-yourself.org/vcd/vcdautismamystery.shtml Johnson, B. (2008, July 01). Some key dates in autism history. . Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/27/AR2008062703062.html http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/mental-health-autism?page=2