The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Training Series

RAAC Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Task Force

Adult Training Series Modules

Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and Primary Characteristics

Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Module Two: Physical Characteristics of AutismAutism

Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism

Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences

Module Five: Communication and Autism

Adult Training Series Modules

Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism

Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons with Autism

Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment

Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and Adulthood

Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

The next few slides will introduce some of the physical challenges of

people with ASD

Pain Differences

Even if the person can talk, they may not be able to tell you when they are sick or in pain.

The person may not seem to notice cuts or bruises or other injuries.

The person may seem to be only slightly uncomfortable even with major injuries.

The person may seem slightly ill even with a serious illness.

Possible Signs of Pain

The person may have new behaviors that are different or unusual:

They may be quieter than usual or may be very still.

They may try to hurt or hit themselves.

They may try to hurt someone else.

Big Idea

If a person with ASD acts as if they don't feel well, pay very close attention. Any sudden, dramatic change in behavior should be considered a possible sign of pain or illness.

Stomach or Digestion Problems

It is believed that up to 70% of all people with ASD have some type of stomach or digestion problems.

Some people may have reflux or heartburn.

Some people may have problems with constipation.

Some people may have problems with frequent diarrhea.

Stomach or Digestion Problems

If the person has stomach or digestion problems they may have behaviors because they are uncomfortable.

They may not be able to tell you when their stomach hurts. - Sometimes the way to tell that the person has stomach pain is if they are bent over or have difficulty standing up straight when they are walking.

Eating Problems

Some people with ASD are very picky eaters.

Some reasons for being picky are:because they don’t like the way the food feels

in their mouth.because the smell of the food may bother

them.because they don’t like the sound the food

makes when they chew it.because they have reflux and that makes them

not want to eat.

Eating Problems Continued

Some people with ASD seem to be always hungry.

They may seem to be hungry because they don’t feel full even if they have eaten a lot of food.

Some people may be hungry because of a medicine they are taking.

Some people eat because they don’t have a lot of other things to do with their time.

Eating Problems Continued

Some people eat things that are not food. This is called pica.

This is a very dangerous behavior.The things they eat are things that we

might think would taste awful.We don’t understand why they eat these

things.Usually an expert is needed to work on

this behavior.We need to watch the person carefully to

keep them from eating these items.

Sleep Problems

Some people with autism have a hard time sleeping.

Some have a hard time falling asleep. Some wake up during the night.Some have severe sleep apnea that causes

them to have a hard time breathing.

Sleep Problems Continued

If they are awake at night, they may wander around. This can be dangerous.

If they do not sleep at night, they may fall asleep during the day.

They may be grouchy during the day because they are tired.

Ideas to Help with Sleep Problems

Be sure to have a regular bedtime routine.

Make sure that activities before bedtime are calming activities.

Report sleep problems to their doctor because it may be a sign of illness.

Sleep environment may affect the way they sleep (i.e. noise, light, temperature, bed clothing, etc.)

Seizures

Some people with ASD have seizures.

Some people with ASD may not develop seizures until they are teenagers or adults.

If a person has seizures and is on medicine to stop seizures, it is important that they always take their medication.

If a seizure lasts for more five minutes you need to call 911.