Autism Spectrum

Disorder

By: Amy Stratton

205

Education

OBJECTIVES
- Definition of Autism
-Prevalence of Autism
-Diagnosis
- Symptoms of Autism
-Red Flags of Autism
-Treatment methods
- Educational rights for children with
Autism

IDEA Definition of
Autism

"Autism means a developmental disability

significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal
communication and social interaction, generally
evident before age three, that adversely affects a
child's educational performance. Other
characteristics often associated with autism are
engagement in repetitive activities and
stereotyped movements, resistance to
environmental change or change in daily
routines, and unusual responses to sensory
experiences."

34 CFR Section 300.8 (c)(1)(I-iii

What is the Prevalence

of Autism?
On March 27, 2014, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
released new date on the prevalence of
autism in the United States. This
surveillance study identified 1 in 68
children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls)
as having autism spectrum disorder
(ASD).

Diagnosis

There isnt a medical test the can

diagnose autism, specially trained
physicians and psychologists
administer autism-specific behavioral
evaluations

Parents are often the first to notice that

their child is showing unusual
behaviors

Symptoms of Autism
Social Challenges

Communication
difficulties

Repetitive Behaviors

Physical and
Medical issues that may
accompany autism

Sy
mp
to
ms
of
Aut
ism

Soc
ial
Cha
llen
ges

Co
mm
uni
cati
on
Di
ffic
ulti
es

Difficulty engaging in the give and take

human interactions
Failure to respond to their name
Reduced interest in people
Difficulty playing and socializing
Inability to interpret gestures and facial
expressions
Difficulty regulating emotions

Delayed in babbling, speaking and

learning to use and interpret gestures
Use communication systems such as
pictures or sign language that not
everyone understands
Inability to understand body language,
tone of voice and expressions that arent
meant to be taken literally

Sy
mp
to
ms
of
Aut
ism

Rep
etiti
ve
Beh
avi
ors

Ass
oci
ate
d
Me
dic
al
Con
diti
ons

Common repetitive behaviors include:

Hand-flapping
Rocking
Jumping
Twirling
Arranging and rearranging objects
Repeating sounds, words, or phrases

Some people with autism have an

identifiable genetic condition that affects
brain development.
Gastrointestinal Disorders are common
among people with autism and affect up to
85% of children with ASD
Seizure Disorders
Sleep Dysfunction

Red Flags used to indicate

if a child is at risk for an
Autism Spectrum Disorder

No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six

months or thereafter
No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other
facial expressions by nine months
No babbling by 12 months
No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing,
reaching or waving by 12 months
No words by 16 months
No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including
imitating or repeating) by 24 months
Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age

Treatment

Each child with autism is unique and so

is each intervention plan:
As children enter into school they benefit

from social skills training

Adolescents with autism benefit from
transition services that promote a
successful maturation into independence
and employment opportunities of
adulthood

Treatment

The best treatment is early intensive

behavioral intervention, it improves
learning, communication and social
skills early in young children this
treatment includes but not limited to:
Therapeutic activities for at least 25 hours

per week
Focus on social skills, language and
communication, imitation, play skills, daily
living and motor skills

A Childs Rights for

Public Education

The law mandates that the state

provide all eligible children with a free
and appropriate public education that
meets their unique individual needs.

IDEA specifies that children with

various disabilities, including autism,
are entitled to early intervention
services and special education.

References

Autism Speaks, http

://www.autismspeaks.org/
Idea Partnership,
http://www.ideapartnership.org/