Features of ASD (American Psychiatric Association, 2000):

1. Early Identification and Intervention for Infant and Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder Feng-Chen Lin, M. A. &SupattraAndrade,M.A. Faculty Sponsors: Dr. RashidaBanerjee&Dr. Spencer Weiler Logo Implications Introduction EarlyIntervention EarlyIdentification • Early Warning SignsofASD • Not smiling by six months of age • Not babbling, pointing or using gestures by 12 months • Not using single words by age 16 months • Not using two word phrases by 24 months • Having a regression in development, with any loss of • language or social skills • Validated ScreeningTools • ValidatedDiagnosticTools • Early Identification and Diagnosis • Early intervention practitioners and professionals in the • medical or allied health communities should be aware • of the early warning signs of the disorder • Public awareness resources for professionals and • families that include warning signs for earlier • identification should lead to timely access to effective • interventions and services • Validated screening and diag­nostic tools are available, • and clinicians should use them more often in their • day-to-day practice • Early Intervention • Researchers have been diligently working to establish • the research base as a guide for selecting appropriate • intervention strategies. • There is scientific evidence from research with • preschool children with ASD about the efficacy of • many focused intervention practices • Service providers should use their professional • wisdom in selecting practices and determine if those • procedures adequately address the needs of infants • and toddlers with ASD • Features of ASD (American Psychiatric Association, 2000): • Impaired social interactions and failure to develop social • relationships • Impaired and disordered language and communication • Occurrence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. • Prevalence and Etiology • 1960s -1980s:1/14,000- 1/5,000 • 2005: 1/285-1/166 • 2009:1/100- 1/91 • 90% - 95%:Uncertain cause • 5%-10%:Environmental, chromosomal abnormalities, and • genetic disorders. • Percent of age two diagnostic combinations and best-estimate judgments accurately predicting diagnosis at 9 Autism Spectrum Disorders are now more common than childhood cancers in the United States. (Gloeker, Percy, & Bunin, 2005) Conclusion • APAPresidentialTaskForce On Evidence-basedPractice(2006) • The dimension of evidence-based practice relates to the • unique characteristics, culture, and values of the client. • Evidence-based practice is consistent with the child and • family’s values and perspectives. • Family engagement promotes collaboration between families • and practitioners and better informs individual treatment • planning. Biological findings: ASD is associated with genetic risk factors in twins and recurrence risk in younger siblings of children with ASD. Behavioral findings: Behavioral and physiological early warning signs of ASD have been link to later developmental outcomes for children. Valid screening and assessment instruments: Profes­sionals are advocating for screenings to occur during the first 2 years of children’s lives. High-quality interventions: service pro­viders should use their professional wisdom in selecting practices and determine if those procedures adequately address the needs of infants and toddlers with autism. What are the trajectories associated with early development in ASD? (AUT-Autistic,PDD- Pervasive Developmental Disorder,Non-Nonspectrum) CHART or PICTURE Faculty Sponsor: Dr. RashidaBanerjee, Dr. Spencer Weiler For more information, please contact: Feng-Chen Lin at lin1746@bears.unco.edu