AutismAutism

Kids on the MoveKids on the MoveNewbies TrainingNewbies Training

Pervasive Developmental Pervasive Developmental DisordersDisorders

Under the PDD UmbrellaUnder the PDD Umbrella AutismAutism Asperger SyndromeAsperger Syndrome Rett’s SyndromeRett’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative DisorderChildhood Disintegrative Disorder PDD-NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)PDD-NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)

Identification and Identification and Diagnosis (DSM-IV)Diagnosis (DSM-IV)

A.A. Behavioral Characteristics (minimum 6)Behavioral Characteristics (minimum 6)A.A. Social Interaction (minimum 2)Social Interaction (minimum 2)

B.B. Communication (minimum 1)Communication (minimum 1)

C.C. Repetitive/Stereotyped Behaviors (minimum 1)Repetitive/Stereotyped Behaviors (minimum 1)

B.B. Delays of Abnormal Functioning (by age 3)Delays of Abnormal Functioning (by age 3)A.A. Social Interaction, or Social Language, or Social Interaction, or Social Language, or

Symbolic or Imaginative PlaySymbolic or Imaginative Play

C.C. Not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative DisorderChildhood Disintegrative Disorder

Qualitative Impairment in Qualitative Impairment in Social InteractionSocial Interaction

Marked impairment in the use of multiple Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviorsnonverbal behaviors

Failure to develop appropriate peer Failure to develop appropriate peer relationshipsrelationships

Lack of spontaneous seeking to share Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements enjoyment, interests, or achievements with otherswith others

Lack of social or emotional reciprocityLack of social or emotional reciprocity

Qualitative Impairment in Qualitative Impairment in CommunicationCommunication

Delay or lack of development of spoken Delay or lack of development of spoken languagelanguage

Marked impairment in ability to initiate or Marked impairment in ability to initiate or sustain a conversationsustain a conversation

Stereotyped and repetitive use of Stereotyped and repetitive use of language (echolalia)language (echolalia)

Lack of varied, spontaneous make-Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative playbelieve play or social imitative play

Restricted, Restricted, Repetitive/Stereotyped Repetitive/Stereotyped

Behaviors, Interests, ActivitiesBehaviors, Interests, Activities Preoccupation with restricted patterns of Preoccupation with restricted patterns of

interest, with abnormal intensity or focusinterest, with abnormal intensity or focus Apparently inflexible adherence to Apparently inflexible adherence to

specific nonfunctional routines or ritualsspecific nonfunctional routines or rituals Stereotyped and repetitive motor Stereotyped and repetitive motor

mannerismsmannerisms

Delays of Abnormal Delays of Abnormal FunctioningFunctioning

Delays or abnormal functioning, with Delays or abnormal functioning, with onset prior to age 3 years, in:onset prior to age 3 years, in: Social interaction, orSocial interaction, or Language as used in social communication, Language as used in social communication,

oror Symbolic or imaginative playSymbolic or imaginative play

Sensory Processing Sensory Processing DifficultiesDifficulties

Not specified in DSM IVNot specified in DSM IV Unusual reactions to physical sensationsUnusual reactions to physical sensations

TouchTouch PainPain SightSight HearingHearing SmellSmell TasteTaste MovementMovement VestibularVestibular

Poor sensory regulationPoor sensory regulation Differentiation between and among the sensesDifferentiation between and among the senses FocusingFocusing AttendingAttending ProcessingProcessing IntegrationIntegration Sensory overloads, shutdown, and/or Sensory overloads, shutdown, and/or

meltdownsmeltdowns

Autism is a Autism is a Spectrum DisorderSpectrum Disorder

Similarities among those who share a common Similarities among those who share a common disorderdisorder

Broad variability in how core characteristics are Broad variability in how core characteristics are manifested (in number and severity)manifested (in number and severity) Measure intellectual abilityMeasure intellectual ability Social-emotional developmentSocial-emotional development Expressive and receptive communicationExpressive and receptive communication Behavioral repertoiresBehavioral repertoires Fine and gross motor skillsFine and gross motor skills Sensory processingSensory processing

A child with ASD might:A child with ASD might: Not respond to their name by 12 months Not respond to their name by 12 months Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)

by 14 months by 14 months Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months Avoid eye contact and want to be alone Avoid eye contact and want to be alone Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about

their own feelings their own feelings Have delayed speech and language skills Have delayed speech and language skills Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia) Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia) Give unrelated answers to questions Give unrelated answers to questions Get upset by minor changes Get upset by minor changes Have obsessive interests Have obsessive interests Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or

feel feel

Prevalence of AutismPrevalence of Autism

1:110 1:110 (as of Dec. 2009)(as of Dec. 2009)

3-4 times more common in boys than 3-4 times more common in boys than girlsgirls

Genetic link: risk of siblings developing Genetic link: risk of siblings developing autismautism

Possible Causes of Possible Causes of AutismAutism

There is not single specific causeThere is not single specific cause Genetic vulnerability is strongGenetic vulnerability is strong Evidence support neurobiological causationEvidence support neurobiological causation

Onset may occur after viruses or neurological Onset may occur after viruses or neurological insults, co-occurrence with neurological disordersinsults, co-occurrence with neurological disorders

May be present at/before birthMay be present at/before birth

Autism is a brain disorder and current Autism is a brain disorder and current research suggests:research suggests: There may be a chemical imbalance in the brainThere may be a chemical imbalance in the brain There is a genetic component effecting multiple There is a genetic component effecting multiple

genesgenes Empirical research is inconclusive regarding Empirical research is inconclusive regarding

the relationship between autism and the the relationship between autism and the psychological environmentpsychological environment Viral infections during pregnancy and birthViral infections during pregnancy and birth Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors Allergies/food sensitivitiesAllergies/food sensitivities Vaccines (thimerasol, MMR)Vaccines (thimerasol, MMR)

Having the “A” TalkHaving the “A” Talk

““Has anyone ever mentioned autism?”Has anyone ever mentioned autism?” Autism PacketAutism Packet M-CHAT onlineM-CHAT online Where to Get a DiagnosisWhere to Get a Diagnosis Autism Treatment MethodsAutism Treatment Methods Treatment Methods Resource ListTreatment Methods Resource List Fast Start ChecklistFast Start Checklist 100 Day Kit from www.autismspeaks.org100 Day Kit from www.autismspeaks.org

Some Educational Some Educational TreatmentsTreatments

Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Behavior Analysis (video)(video) A-B-C model, prompt if necessary to ensure successA-B-C model, prompt if necessary to ensure success

TEACCH TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children)Communication Handicapped Children)

Floor TimeFloor Time RDI RDI (Relationship Developmental Intervention) (video) (Relationship Developmental Intervention) (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9OAYjVwjg&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9OAYjVwjg&feature=related

PECS PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)(Picture Exchange Communication System)

Biomedical Biomedical DAN! DoctorsDAN! Doctors

Services at KOTMServices at KOTM Floor Time 1 Floor Time 1 LaurieLaurie

PECS PECS SLPSLP

Learning Box Learning Box Angie & AubreyAngie & Aubrey

Specialists (as needed)Specialists (as needed) Autism Support Group Autism Support Group Karen-meets monthlyKaren-meets monthly

Structured PlaygroupsStructured Playgroups Autism handoutsAutism handouts

Learning BoxLearning Box What is our role after the initial 3 visit training?What is our role after the initial 3 visit training? What if its not working?What if its not working?

Too challenging? Too easy?Too challenging? Too easy?

How is the reinforcement?How is the reinforcement? Varied? Motivating?Varied? Motivating?

Skills that can be taught:Skills that can be taught: body parts, animal sounds, symbolic play, body parts, animal sounds, symbolic play,

receptive object labeling, expressive object receptive object labeling, expressive object labeling, etc.labeling, etc.

Services in the Community- typically Services in the Community- typically accessed AFTER graduating from KOTMaccessed AFTER graduating from KOTM ABAABA

Redwood Learning CenterRedwood Learning Center Scott Pryor ConsultingScott Pryor Consulting Giant Steps PreschoolGiant Steps Preschool

Floor Time Floor Time Megan HeathMegan Heath Clear Horizons AcademyClear Horizons Academy

Autism Journeys Autism Journeys Eclectic approach (center based)Eclectic approach (center based)

RDIRDI Scott Pryor or Tara DeanScott Pryor or Tara Dean

Alpine School District Spec. Ed PreschoolsAlpine School District Spec. Ed Preschools New KOTM Autism Program New KOTM Autism Program Preschool/playgroup & Preschool/playgroup &

eclectic in home consulting services eclectic in home consulting services

ResourcesResources Autism DVD Autism DVD Autism SpeaksAutism Speaks

Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism ed. By Catherine Mauriceed. By Catherine Maurice

Relationship Development Intervention for Young Children with Relationship Development Intervention for Young Children with Autism Autism by Steven Gutstein & Rachelle Sheelyby Steven Gutstein & Rachelle Sheely

Engaging Autism Engaging Autism by Stanley Greenspanby Stanley Greenspan

Changing the Course of Autism Changing the Course of Autism By Bryan JepsonBy Bryan Jepson

Sensational Kids Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Millerby Lucy Jane Miller

Louder Than Words Louder Than Words by Jenny McCarthyby Jenny McCarthy

A Child’s Journey Out of Autism A Child’s Journey Out of Autism by Leeann Whiffenby Leeann Whiffen

www.autismspeeks.comwww.autismspeeks.com www.autismcouncilofutah.orgwww.autismcouncilofutah.org

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?