Autism

1. Autism Cristina Lopez & Jasmine Naea Period: 5

2. First things first… 1 in 150 American children haveautism. He/she is NOT “autistic”.

3. Case study- BY: Silvia Diehl. Subject: Anderson, 3 year old boy. HISTORY- -baby born with no complications -as a toddler, his development was limited -communication skills were limited INTERVENTION- -PEC (Picture Exchange Communication System RESULTS- -PEC’s had become his main way of communicating -started to use words -began to enjoy joint activity routines

4. What is autism? *** Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. • Autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome • Result of a neurological disorder that can affect normal brain function • Affects development of communicating and social skills • Affects a child’s ability to use language and abstract concepts • There are different degrees, symptoms vary.

5. Symptoms • **Social Interactions/ relationships: • Significant problems developing nonverbal communication skills, such as eye-to-eye gazing, facial expressions, and body posture. • Failure to establish friendships with children the same age. • Lack of interest in sharing enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people. • **Verbal/nonverbal communication: • Delay in, or lack of, learning to talk. As many as 40% of people with autism never speak.1 • Problems taking steps to start a conversation. Also, people with autism have difficulties continuing a conversation after it has begun. • Stereotyped and repetitive use of language. People with autism often repeat over and over a phrase they have heard previously (echolalia). • Difficulty understanding their listener's perspective.

6. Theories… -We know that there is no one cause of autism just as there is no one type of autism. (e.g., Asbergers) -Opioid Excess Theories *The opioid excess theory of autism says that autistic children are symptomatic due to excess opioid-like substances, whose effects on the brain produce the symptoms of autism. Opioids and opioid-like substances, especially when in excess, have many effects upon hormones and hormonal regulation. -Autoimmune Theories One possible cause of autism may involve faulty immune regulation, in particular, autoimmunity *The parallels between autism and other autoimmune diseases suggest that autoimmunity may be a critical factor in the cause of autism. An essential part of the autoimmune mechanism should involve antibody-mediated immune response or antibodies against brain, the affected organ in autism. In this respect, a few recent studies in autism have found evidence of antibodies to brain tissue antigens

7. Treatments- **There is no real treatment for children with autism. However, there are different types of therapies and each child or adult with autism in unique and, so, each autism intervention plan should be tailored to address specific needs. • Intervention can involve behavioral treatments, medicine or both • Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention is highly encouraged • (verbal behavior therapy, floortime, ABA)

8. MISC. John Travolta’s son has autism and he is a very strong advocate for Autism speaks. 1 in 150 children are diagnosed each year. 1 in 94 of the children are boys.

9. references- • http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-symptoms • http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism • http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/04/02/new-theories-of-autism-asperger-syndrome/5122.html • http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_nf=1&cp=18&gs_id=1u&xhr=t&q=child+with+autism'&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=777&wrapid=tljp1330801014619034&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=WmlST9eDPeaaiQLknNS0Bg • http://www.healing-arts.org/children/autism-overview.htm • http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2010/100119/AutismCaseStudies.htm