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Autism

Autism. VIDEO: Autism Every Day http://www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents/autism_every_day.php. What is Autism?. Autism is a neurological disorder that is categorized under the umbrella of Pervasive Development Disorders

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Autism

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  1. Autism VIDEO: Autism Every Day http://www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents/autism_every_day.php

  2. What is Autism? • Autism is a neurological disorder that is categorized under the umbrella of Pervasive Development Disorders Characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development” Autism Society of America

  3. Causes? There is no single know cause for the development of autism • Generally accepted by the medical community… • brain structure and function is abnormal, as detected with the use of neuroimaging

  4. Causes? • Researchers continue to investigate a number of theories regarding causes of autism • Heredity; genetic • Problems during pregnancy and delivery • Viral infections and metabolic imbalances • Exposure to environmental toxins • Vaccinations (MMR in particular)

  5. Causes? • Autism does appear to occur more frequently in individuals with certain medical conditions • Fragile X syndrome • Tuberous sclerosis • Congenital Rubella Syndrome • Untreated Phenylketonuria (PKU) (ASA)

  6. Prevalence • Autism is the most prevalent of the PDD • According to the CDC, 2-6 individuals per 1000 have an autism spectrum disorder • In 2003 ~141,022 children were served under the autism classification for special education services CDC

  7. 1/166 children? Oregon 1/120 children Maine 1/138 Indiana 1/169 Wisconsin 1/196 California 1/227 New York 1/241 Illinois 1/280 Iowa 1/342 Colorado 1/543 Hollenbeck, DF. Public Schools Autism Prevalence Report Series, http://www.fightingautism.org/idea/, 2004.

  8. Other facts… • Autism is four times more prevalent in males • According to the US Department of Education, autism rates are growing at 10-17% per year Autism Society of America

  9. The Debate… There is currently some debate regarding the true increase in the number of children born with autism • Some researchers believe the drastic increase in prevalence may be due to a broadened definition of the disorder (APA)

  10. In 1980 when autism was first introduced as a diagnosis (DSM-III) anyone with normal intelligence was automatically disqualified • In 1994 (DSM-IV), the diagnosis included individuals with high intelligence but with significant impairments in the areas of: • Communication • Social interaction • Behavioral flexibility

  11. Disorders Categorized Under PDD • Autistic Disorder • Asperger’s Disorder • Childhood Disintegrative disorder (CDD) • Rett’s Disorder • PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) Autism Society of America

  12. Each of these disorders have specific diagnostic criteria that have been outlined in the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR)

  13. Autism • Autism is a spectrum disorder • may demonstrate any combination of behaviors, or defining characteristics to varying degrees Two children with the diagnosis of autism may behave in a completely different manner and have varying capabilities (ASA)

  14. Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration

  15. Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration Sensory Integration

  16. Autism – Sensory Integration • Throws their senses “off” causing them to be over or under active • May experience things like seams or tags in clothing as painful • Very sensitive to light touch (~ Chiropractic?) • Sensitivities to smell, sounds, and light are also common

  17. Autism – Common Traits • Insistence on sameness; resistance to change • Difficulty in expressing needs • Using gestures or pointing instead of words • Repeating words or phrases in place of normal language • Preference to being alone, aloof manner • Tantrums • Difficulty mixing with others

  18. Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled • Little or no eye contact • Unresponsive to normal teaching methods • Sustained odd play • Spinning objects • Obsessive attachment to objects • Apparent over/under sensitivity to pain • No real sense of fear or danger • Noticeable extreme over or under activity • Uneven gross/fine motor skills • No response to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range

  19. Asperger’s Syndrome • Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome share common characteristics: • Deficits in non-verbal communication (facial expression, body language) • Preference for interacting with objects rather than peers • Deep immersion in a single field of interest • Strict adherence to a daily routine • Repetitive motions, such as hand flapping or finger twisting (DSM-IV-R)

  20. Asperger’s Syndrome • One aspect that differentiates Asperger’s syndrome is language development • Autistic children commonly demonstrate language delays • Children with Asperger’s syndrome often grasp language quite quickly; sometimes advanced development for their age group *Note, however, that they do not master the usual give and take of conversation… (APA)

  21. Asperger’s Syndrome • Tendency to talk exclusively and at great length about their favorite topics • Dead presidents • Meteorology • Rain Man (the movie) • May develop an impressive vocabulary (APA)

  22. Myths & Misconceptions

  23. “Autistic children don’t make eye contact” • Many autistic children do make eye contact • perhaps less often or in a different manner “Autistic children don’t communicate” • Communication skills may include the use of sign language, pictures, or some form of functional language developed by the child “Autistic children will grow out of it” • Although symptoms may lessen as the child grows, they never “outgrow” autism (ASA)

  24. “Austistic children can’t love” • Often they can and do show affection • in their own terms • It is not uncommon for them to develop greater awareness and attachment to their families and other significant caregivers as they grow older (ASA)

  25. Autism and Chiropractic Everyone can benefit from chiropractic care including those with pervasive developmental disorders Theory: • remove subluxation ~>allow full flow of nerve impulses ~>improved function (increased neurological integration)

  26. Aguilar AL, et al. Chiropractic Care and Behavior in Autistic Chidren. JCCP 2000; 5(1), 293-304. multiple case study (26 children) • significant improvement in behavior under chiropractic care • changes in physiologic responses were also noted • decreased incidence of ear infections, insomnia, enuresis, and incontinence

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