AUTISM SPECTRUM

STATISTICS1 in 68 kids in the United States has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago (2014)

4.5 times as many boys have autism than girlsLargest increase is in children with average or above-average intellectual ability

Average age of diagnosis – 4. Can be diagnosed as early as 2. Early identification is key in diagnosis

CO-EXISTING CONDITIONSAges 3 – 5 – moderate or severe learning disability, developmental delays, ADHD, ODD

Ages 6 – 11 – speech problems, anxiety, depression, OCD

Ages 12 – 17 – speech delays, mild seizures

*More than 10% of children diagnosed with autism at 2 yrs., no longer have it at 9 yrs.

INITIAL PARENT INTAKEWhen did you first notice your child being different?

Normal pregnancy? Developmental milestones?

How is your child doing at school?Has any testing been conducted? If so, what were the results? *If not, require it.

How are interactions with other kids? Family members?

Is your child on medication?

FIRST SESSION WITH CHILDSee if he/she is able to make eye contact.Encourage communicative play with either you or figures (talking back and forth).

Begin using feelings card to help identify feelings.

Allow child to talk about what he/she is interested in.

AS RELATIONSHIP BUILDS…

- Begin putting structure to the sessions-Start using social awareness techniques-Start having conversations they aren’t interested in having

-Begin helping them use facial and body expressions

TOOLSTOOLS FOR KIDS

WHAT COLOR ARE MY EYES?

GUESS MY FEELINGS

OPPOSITE FEELINGS GAME

COLOR MY HEART

TOOLS FOR ADOLESCENTS

SETTING A TIMER

ROLE PLAY

MY NEW FRIEND

MY HERO