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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Definition And Characteristics

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What is Autism?

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA) is working on revising The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM-V) for a currant definition for autism spectrum disorders and it should be published in 2013.
  • There are four classifications:
  • Autism
  • Asperger Syndrome
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder
  • Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. (PDD-NOS)

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 236)

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Picture from Google images

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�Criteria of Diagnosis .�

  • There is a display of deficits in social communications and interactions.

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  • Behaviors are repetitive and their interests and activities are focused.
  • These signs must be present during Early Childhood

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Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 238)

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Characteristics

  • One thing to note is that a child with autism on any level does not have any physical characteristics that are different from his/her peers.

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Picture from: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-autistics-known-today.php

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Autism: Impaired social Interactions

  • Parents of babies with autism will notice that their child does not respond like other babies their age. These children may not smile when around others, but may smile or laugh in inappropriate times.
  • They may avoid eye contact.
  • They have difficulty developing a relationship with friends or parents.

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Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 243)

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Autism: Impaired Communication

  • 50% of children with autism do not speak. Those that do speak they may sound robotic. They may only repeat what they hear or reverse pronouns (use he/she for I)
  • They may not have communicative intent. (They do not have the desire to communicate.)

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 243)

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Picture from Google images

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Autism: Repetitive Behavior

  • Some of the repetitive behaviors are twirling, flapping the hands, rocking and spinning objects.
  • They may be focus on one object or interest.
  • They cannot handle a change in their environment or routine.

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 243)

Picture from Google images

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Autism: Impaired Cognition

  • Most individuals with autism can be compared with those with intellectual disabilities.
  • They think in literal terms.
  • Temple Grandin termed “thinking in pictures”

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 244)

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Picture from Google images.

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Autism: Impaired Cognition

  • Few persons with autism are referred to as autistic savants. This term describes those with autism who have gained a special talent and can preform that talent remarkably well, but they lack skills in other areas.

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012) (pg 244)

Picture from Google images.

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Autism: Abnormal Sensory Perceptions

  • Some autistic people are very sensitive to auditory, visual or tactile stimuli and others are not affected at all by any stimuli.
  • Some suffer from synesthesia, a mixing of the senses.

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012)

Picture from Google images.

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Asperger Syndrome

  • Children with Asperger will have some of the same struggles as those with autism, but it would be in a milder form. The majority of the children with Asperger will struggle the most with social skills and communication.

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Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012)

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Asperger: Impaired Social Interaction

  • Many children with Asperger's have a difficult time understanding emotion or sentiment. Example: A bombing occurs in China and they feel glad they nor anyone they care about were blown up, and do not feel sad for the people in China because it doesn’t affect them.
  • They do not understand idioms because they take things literally.
  • The have a difficult time with hidden curriculum. They do not understand the rules of engagement in society.

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012)

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Asperger: Impaired Communication Skills

  • Children with Asperger’s can use language that is developmentally appropriate. Where the trouble lies is within the social contents. (pragmatics)
  • Another problem with pragmatics is in the non-verbal communication.

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012)

Picture from Google images.

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Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

  • Also called Heller Syndrome
  • Children will meet developmental milestones until the age of three or four.
  • After three or four the child will begin to lose the developmental abilities that were gained.
  • Most children by the age of ten will display symptoms of severe autism.

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A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 2012

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PDD-NOS

  • Children would fall into this category if they have some signs of autism, but not all the signs (Autism Speaks, 2012).
  • They may have problems with social cues, but not have any problems with repetitive behaviors (Autism Speaks, 2012).
  • Signs of PPD-NOS happen after the age of three Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2012).

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References

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