Autism

1
Autism

• Definition
• Characteristics
• Causes
• Assessment
• Teaching Practices

2
Definition of Autism

• Developmental disability evident before 3
• Significantly affects verbal and nonverbal
  communication and social interaction
• Adversely affects education performance
• Can also be called autistic disorder, Retts
  disorder, Aspergers syndrome, pervasive
  developmental disorder

3
Autism Perspectives

• Identified by Leo Kanner in 1943
• Originally considered an emotional disturbance
  mostly caused by cold mothering styles
• Categorized under Other Health Impairments and
  then for a brief time under Communication
  Disorders
• Now a separate category under IDEA

4
Autism Characteristics

• Delayed language development
• Lack of social integration
• Inappropriate behaviors
• Need for environmental predictability
• Sensory and movement disorders

5
Autism Characteristics

• Intellectual functioning
• 20 normal IQ
• 30 mild to moderate
• 42 severe to profound
• Savant syndrome

6
Autism Causes Prevalence

• Causes
• Abnormal brain development
• Neurochemistry
• Genetic factors

• Prevalence
• 5.5 children in 10,000
• 4x as many males as females

7
Assessment

• Determining the presence
• Physician or nondiscriminatory team
• Follows tests for mental retardation or severe
  and multiple disabilities
• Numerous diagnostic tools including the Autism
  Diagnostic Interview
• Use of a functional analysis to determine needed
  services and develop IEP
• Served by Regional Center

8
Teaching Practices

• Emphasis on cognitive development as well as life
  skills, and vocational preparation
• Strategies include
• Positive behavioral support
• Social stories - research
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECs)
• Treatment and Education of Autistic Related
  Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH)
• Structured routines/schedule

9
TEACCH

• 830    Student arrival, put belongings away,
  greetings    
• 845    Work session 1  
• 930    Work session 2  
• 1015    Break  
• 1030    Leisure learning/School friends  
• 1100    Work session 3  
• 1145    Prepare for lunch  
• 1200    Lunch  
• 1230    Outside/gym  
• 100    Clean cafeteria tables and floors  
• 145    Work session 4  
• 230    Dismissal
• httpwww.teacch.com/teacch_e.htm

10
Least Restrictive Environment

• 75 of children with autism are in separate
  classroom environments
• Usually fall under the moderate/severe credential
  area
• Emphasis on full family/community participation