Autism

Autism:  General Information

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. it is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum, the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified (commonly abbreviated as PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Diagnosis

For a child to be diagnosed with Autism, some of the criteria should be met.

The very early indicators of Autism include:

• No babbling or pointing by age 1
• No single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2
• No response to name
• Loss of language or social skills
• poor eye contact
• Excessive lining up of toys or objects
• No smiling or social responsiveness

Later indicators of Autism include:

• Impaired ability to make friends with peers
• Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
• Absence or impairment of imaginative and social play
• Stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language
• Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus
• Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects
• Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals

From: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

Tests for Autism

There are many types of tests for autism available. Those include screening tools, behavior assessments, and physical assessment and laboratory tests. There are many methods for testing used such as questionaries, behavior scales, checklists, physical exams or clinical observation. A qualified professional specializing in development disabilities can choose the appropriate exams to use on any given child who is suspected to have some form of autism.

Autism Warning Signs
By 2-3 months	Your baby does not make frequent eye contact
By 3 months	Your baby does not smile at you, nor does he or she imitate your sound.
By 6 months	Your baby does not show any joyful expressions such as laughing.
Around 8 months	Your baby shows no intention for your gaze when you look away from him or her towards other objects.
By 9 months	You baby shows no sign of babbling.
By 1 year	You baby does not turn to you when you call his or her name.
	You baby generally disregards vocalization, but is really sensitive to environmental sounds
	You baby does not engage in back-and-forth vocalizations.
	You baby still does not wave bye-bye to others
	Your baby still does not look toward something you point at.
By 16 months	Your baby still does not speak any words
By 18 months	Your baby does not use the act of pointing to indicate the things that interest him or her.
By 24 months	Your baby says no more than two words in every conversation.
At any time	Your baby shows a loss of any of his or her previously mastered skills

From: http://www.parenting.com/article/autism-warning-signs-1204127474106

Options for Children with Autism

Presently, no cure exists for Autism. All of the interventions and therapies below are to remedy specific symptoms and to bring about substantial improvement. The earlier children receive interventions and/ or therapies, the better.

Educational/ behavioral intervention

This involves highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions that help the patients develop social and language skills. It is often important to hold family counselings for the patient's parents and siblings to help them live better with a child with Autism.

Medications

Some medications may be prescribed to treat specific symptoms caused by Autism, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe behavioral problems, seizures and attention deficit disorder. For example, anti-psychotic medications are used to treat behavioral problems and  anti-convulsant drugs are used to treat seizures.

Other therapies

Numerous other therapies are designed for Autism, such as dietary intervention. However, scientific studies support only few. A medical professional should be consulted before adopting any treatments. 

Autism in the Classroom

Below are some of the things to be done when you are teaching children with Autism.

• Use as less abstract ideas as possible. To deliver an abstract idea, use visual cues, such as  gestures and written words. (OASIS@MAPP)
• As the students indicate an increase in their stress level through unusual behavior, a program should be set up at school to help the students  re-enter or stay in the stressful situation. (OASIS@MAPP)
• Show understanding to the students misbehaviors. Keep in mind that people with Autism are never manipulative.
• Do not use idiom, puns, sarcasm, nicknames and “cute” name in the classroom since children with autism are only capable of literal interpretation. (OASIS@MAPP)
• Break big tense into smaller steps and present it visually, verbally and physically (OASIS@MAPP)
• Be clear when you are talking. Use short phrases to increase simplicity and clarity.
• Be patience with them. When students with autism keep asking the same question in spite of various explains provided, it is because they are very serious about the question and do not have the ability to ask the right question that help them get the answer they need. (OASIS@MAPP)
• Personally deliver a daily report to the parents which lists things that took place in the class room.  Do not rely on the students to clearly inform their parents of important message about school events, assignments and so on. (OASIS@MAPP)
• Assign a kind person to pair up with students with autism when group parents occur.

From: http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/Articles/Tips-for-Teaching-High-Functioning-People-with-Aut.aspx

 

Resources

League School of Greater Boston
 www.leagueschool.com

May Institute
www.mayinstitute.org

National Autism Center
www.nac.org

Autism Canada - Treatments
http://www.autismcanada.org/treatments/