Autism Spectrum Disorders:

ASD

03/11/14

Activity
Autism Reading Simulation
understanding what it would be like being read to
for a person with autism

groups of 5
number off (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
person with autism
person reading factual paragraph
person reading random book
person patting the person with autism on head and shoulder
person using the tip of their pen to poke them (softly)

Definition of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders are a
group of complex disorders of brain
development.

difficulties in social interaction,

verbal and nonverbal
communication and repetitive
behaviors.
Can be identified/diagnosed by
age 6.
1 in 88 children have some form
of Autism.
DSM-V has 3 Levels (NEW 2013)

IDEA Autism Classification

P.L. 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA],
1997:
Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal
communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that
adversely affects a childs education performance. Other characteristics often
associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotypical
movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and
unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not apply if a childs
educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an
emotional disturbance.(sec. 300.7)

Characteristics of Autism

Possible Causes - CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT!!!!

Case Study - Tommy

Name: Tommy Johnson
Age: 5 years
Autism Spectrum: Level 2 requiring substantial support
-Echolalia Autism.
Family: older brother Matthew, also exhibits some signs of autism
(repetitive behaviors, difficulty with social skills, behavioral
problems)
Strengths: has moderate receptive communication. He is able to
understand what is being said to him. Pays good attention to
details, He has a fascination with birds.
Weaknesses: he has difficulty communicating with his peers, fails
to respond to questions, never initiates conversations, rarely makes
eye contact.
Periodically becomes upset and loses his temper throughout school
day
Education: Special Education Classroom in Springfield Elementary
School.

Identification & Eligibility

Not all cases will be identified

before school entryAverage Age of Autism Disorders
identification is 5 1/2 years of age.
Average Age of Aspergers
identification is 11 years old.
Most children with autism are
identified by school resources.
Only three percent of children with
ASD are identified solely by nonschool resources.

All other children are identified

by a combination of school and
non-school resources (57 %), or
by school resources alone (40 %)

Yeargin-Allsoppet al. (2003).

Supports & Intervention

PECS

The IEP team selected a picture system

approach PECS (Picture Exchange
Communication System).

This approach was the most appropriate for

Tommy because it encourages children to be
communication initiators.
Goal: For Tommy to begin initiating communication on
his own, so he can establish better relationships with
his peers and feel less frustrated

Tommy worked with PECS specialist

He got to Phase 3 of PECS which he had to

choose between 2 pictures of different objects

Hes now working on Phase 4

Technology Integration:

Using iPad applications that can also assist him

with communication skills

(ie. an app that can talk for him)

or an app that shows pictures of

communication.
Resource Room/FSC Room

Devonte

Would you like to see

A severe autism episode?
A prodigy with autism?
A surfer with Aspergers?

Joey

Jake

Youtube

Clay