What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders caused by differences in the brain that affect communication and behavior.

What does the Autism Spectrum mean?

• The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of ability in functioning that can occur in people with ASD. ASD affects every person differently. Individuals can have a few symptoms and characteristics while others have many. Some children and adults with ASD are fully able to perform all activities of daily living and may have gifted learning and cognitive abilities while others require substantial support to perform basic activities.

How does an individual obtain a ASD diagnosis?

• The DSM-5 lists criterion for an individual to get an Autism diagnosis. Some of the behavioral criteria include: deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, symptoms must be present in the early developmental period, symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning, these disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental. For more specific criterion, a link to the DSM-5 for Autism will be linked below.

What are common characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• Characteristics of individuals with Autism vary greatly. The two main categories of signs and symptoms are social communication/interaction skills and restricted or repetitive behaviors/interests. A few common characteristics of relating to social behavior are:

  • Avoids or does not keep eye contact.

  • Does not respond to name by 9 months of age.

  • Does not show facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age.

  • Does not play simple interactive games by 12 months of age. Ex. Pat-a-cake.

  • Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age. Ex. Waving hello or goodbye.

  • Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age.

  • Etc.

• Some common characteristics of relating to repetitive behaviors are:

  • Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed.

  • Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia).

  • Plays with toys the same way every time.

  • Gets upset by minor changes.

  • Has obsessive interests.

  • Must follow certain routines.

  • Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles.

  • Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

  • Etc.

• Other characteristics include:

  • Delayed language skills.

  • Delayed movement skills.

  • Delayed cognitive or learning skills.

  • Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior.

  • Unusual eating and sleeping habits.

  • Unusual mood or emotional reactions.

  • Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry.

  • Etc.

At what age is Autism usually diagnosed?

• Autism can be diagnosed at any age but characteristics usually begin in early childhood. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children get screened for developmental delays and behaviors often associated with ASD at 18-24 months.

What is the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• Autism can be caused by a genetic disorder, but not always. The cause of Autism is generally unknown.

What are possible risk factors of Autism?

• There are multiple possible risk factors for Autism including:

  • Having a sibling with ASD.

  • Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis.

  • Experiencing complications at birth.

  • Being born to older parents.

What is the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• ~ 1 in 36 children.

• 4 times more likely to occur in males.

• Occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

What types of treatment are available for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• Behavioral approaches

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

• Developmental approaches

  • Speech language therapy

  • Occupational therapy

  • Physical therapy

  • Sensory integration therapy

• Educational approaches

  • Special education(TEACCH)

• Social-relational approaches

  • Social skills groups, social stories, etc.

• Pharmacological approaches

• Psychological approaches

  • Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Types of services available for individuals diagnosed with ASD

• From ages 0-3 years old, early intervention services are available. Can be a referred from a physician or parent referral.

• From ages 3-22 years old, special education services are available. This is usually through the local public school system.

  
  

Special education services

Sensory breaks

Following a schedule

Having a visual schedule available

Breaking down information

Use of a communication device

Use of visuals/multiple modes of exposure to content

Noise cancelling headphones

Fidget toys

Family involvement is really important when providing intervention for an individual with Autism. Treatment should be child and family focused.

A family with a child diagnosed with Autism can be experiencing many challenges. This is important to keep in mind when working with the family and identifying supports. Parents of children with Autism experience higher divorce rates, higher stress levels, and higher signs of fatigue.

Can recommend family supports such as support groups, online communities, etc.

Educators should be aware of strategies that increase the likelihood of child success.

Get to know the individual as each diagnosis presents differently.

Create structured environments.

Create social opportunities.

https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/asd1/#content

https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/asd2/#content

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/autism-spectrum-disorder

https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf_info_briefs/ASD_Comparison_information_brief.pdf

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd