An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

1
An Introduction to Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)

• Presented by Nomi Kaim
• With Personal Accounts
• by Nomi Kaim and Abram Kelly,
• Adults with Asperger Syndrome

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What is a Spectrum?

• A spectrum is a continuum something that
  varies gradually across a wide range.
• Example The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• What varies is the wavelength.

3
The Autism Spectrum

• What varies is how severely a person is affected.
• SEVERE
  MILD
• Severe Autism
  Asperger Syndrome
• Absent LANGUAGE
  Normal-Superior
• Low
  IQ
  Average-High
• People on the autism spectrum range from being as
  helpless as infants to being world-famous
  intellectuals!

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ASD is a Pervasive Neuro-Developmental Disorder

• Pervasive it affects many different areas of
  your life (school, relationships, leisure)
• Neuro Neurological it affects the
  physical structure of your brain
• Developmental Disorder you are born with it
  you have it your whole life and it affects the
  way your brain develops as well as the way you
  yourself develop and mature
• ASD is caused by having a brain
  that processes information differently.

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Facts about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Affects about 1 in 100 people (but many people
  dont know they have it)
• At least 4 times as common in males as in females
• A heterogeneous disorder People with ASD can
  be very different from one another
• Most people with ASD come across as unusual, odd
  immature, eccentric, or different in some way
• A neurological or brain disorder, but not a
  mental illness just as ADHD and dyslexia are
  not mental illnesses

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Part I Social-Communication Problems

• All People with ASD have difficulty communicating
• effectively.
• This may include
• Not being able to look people in the eye
• Not understanding when someone is joking or being
  sarcastic
• Saying things that are very inappropriate
• Talking too much and not listening
• Only talking about yourself or topics that
  interest you
• Poor communication causes problems in a wide
  range
• of social settings (school, work, friendships,
  dating)

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Part II Inflexible Repetitive Behaviors

• People with ASD have repetitive routines that
  they are inflexible about changing.
• These may include
• Flapping arms, rocking body, or other movements
• Doing the same activities, eating the same foods,
  and/or wearing the same clothes according to a
  rigid schedule
• Engaging in the same hobbies over and over
• Talking about the same topics over and over
• Not wanting to try new things even fun things

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Part III Other Common Problems for People with
ASD

• Most people with ASD (but not all) have
  difficulties
• in at least some of the following areas
• (1) Over-Sensitivity to Sound, Touch, Light, etc.
• (2) Poor Motor Coordination
• (3) Poor Independent Living Skills
• (4) Poor Organization (physical and mental)
• (5) Learning Problems
• (6) Anxiety (and sometimes depression)

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Part IV Good Things About ASD!

• (1) Special Interests, Talents, and Expertise
• Over-focusing on a specific topic of interest
  can lead to becoming an expert in it!
• (2) Truthfulness
• People with ASD generally do not lie, deceive,
  or manipulate people.
• (3) Diligence and Conscientiousness
• People with ASD are very reliable workers.

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The End!

• Thoughts?
• Questions?
• Wondering about someone you know?
• Feel free to contact me
• NomiKaim_at_msn.com