Autism

1. Autism

2. Autism is a term for a group of complex disorders of brain development, and falls under the umbrella of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). It is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors, intellectual disabilities, and difficulties with motor coordination and attention.

3. HISTORY • Term coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in 1912, when he wrote about it in The American Journal of Insanity. • Bleuler thought it was another form of schizophrenia. • Austrian-American psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner, was the first to recognize autism as its own unique mental disorder.

4. HISTORY • Scientist and pediatrician, Dr. Hans Asperger defined Asperger Syndrome, a specific type of high functioning autism, in 1944. • Austrian-American writer and child psychologist, Dr. Bruno Bettelhiem, developed a theory of “refrigerator mothers” in 1967.

5. What Is Autism ? • Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how the brain functions. It affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. • A person who has autism is said to have ASD. This is because the symptoms of autism can vary from person to person, and can range from mild to very severe. Asperger’s syndrome is an ASD, on the mild end of the spectrum.

6. What is autism? • Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulties with everyday social interaction. Their ability to develop friendships is generally limited as is their capacity to understand other people's emotional expression. • People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.

7. DEMOGRAPHICS • 1 in 110 American children have autism, a 600% increase over the past two decades. • It is three to four times more common in • boys than in girls. • About 1 out of 70 boys is diagnosed with • autism in the U.S. • The disorder is often seen in identical twins.

8. ASD • Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. People with ASDs handle information in their brain differently than other people.

9. ASD • ASDs are “spectrum disorders.” That means ASDs affect each person in different ways, and can range from very mild to severe. People with ASDs share some similar symptoms, such as problems with social interaction. But there are differences in when the symptoms start, how severe they are, and the exact nature of the symptoms.

10. TYPES OF ASD • Autistic Disorder (also called “classic” autism) • This is what most people think of when hearing the word “autism.” People with autistic disorder usually have significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with autistic disorder also have intellectual disability.

11. TYPES OF ASD • Asperger Syndrome • People with Asperger syndrome usually have some milder symptoms of autistic disorder. They might have social challenges and unusual behaviors and interests. However, they typically do not have problems with language or intellectual disability.

12. TYPES OF ASD • Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called “atypical autism”) • People who meet some of the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. People with PDD-NOS usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those with autistic disorder. The symptoms might cause only social and communication challenges.

13. Signs/Symptoms • The first symptoms of ASD usually appear when the person is under two years old, and last throughout life. Some people who have autism also have a learning difficulty. This is when they find it harder than most people to learn new skills. • Symptoms of ASD can be divided into three main groups. They are: • social interaction, • communication, and • routine and repetitive behaviour.

14. Social interactionIssues • A child who has ASD may find it hard to get on with other people. They may: • seem distant or detached, • have little or no interest in other people, and find it difficult make friends, • not seek affection in the usual way, or resist physical contact such as kissing and cuddling, • find it difficult to make eye contact with other people, • not understand other peoples emotions, and • prefer to spend time alone.

15. Communication Issues • A child who has ASD may develop speech later than other children, or never learn to speak. When their speech does develop, the language and choice of words they use may be wrong. • A child with ASD may also: • not be able to express themselves well, • not be able to understand gestures, facial expressions, or tones of voice, • use odd phrases and use odd choices of words, • use more words than is necessary to explain simple things, • make up their own words or phrases, • not use their hands to make gestures when they speak, and • find it difficult to understand difficult commands.

16. Routine and repetitive behaviour • Children with ASD may: • play the same games over and over, or play with games designed for children younger than themselves, • get upset if their daily routines are interrupted in any way, and • repeat actions, such as rocking back and forth or head banging. • These symptoms may lead to hyperactivity in younger children. • Older children and adults may develop obsessions. For example, with specific objects, lists, timetables or routines.

17. Sensory difficulties • Some children with ASD also have sensory difficulties. This means that they may get upset if they are over or under stimulated. For example, they may prefer being indoors if they are over sensitive to light, or they may bump into people if they are under sensitive to touch. • Sensory difficulties can also lead to problems with movement. A person with ASD may appear clumsy or have an unusual way of walking.

18. BIOLOGICAL SIGNS • Enlarged portions of autistic brain • Several abnormal genes identified, including ones that may alter brain architecture • Genes may interact with environmental factors • Major brain areas implicated in Autism: cerebellum, cerebral cortex, temporal lobe, amygdala

19. CAUSES • Symptoms of ASD are caused by an abnormality in the development of the brain that occurs before, or soon after birth. It’s now known exactly what causes this abnormality. • Some evidence shows that having a defective gene may be a risk factor in developing ASD. These genes may be inherited, and the chance of you having ASD if your brother or sister has it, is slightly higher than in the rest of the general population.

20. CAUSES • Some research suggests that environmental factors such as pollution or viruses such as rubella (German measles) may trigger ASD. However, ASD is not a result of anything that a parent has done either during pregnancy or after the child is born.

21. Diagnosis • Getting a diagnosis for autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is important, to enable access to the right services and treatments to support individual needs. • ASD may be difficult to diagnose as symptoms can vary considerably from person to person, and mild symptoms can be hard to spot.

22. DIAGNOSIS • The most common age for diagnosis is between three and four years old. However, some people may not be diagnosed until they are older, especially if they have mild symptoms. ASD isn’t usually diagnosed before a child is two years old.

23. DIAGNOSIS • Diagnosis in adults • Some people aren’t diagnosed with ASD when they are children, especially when symptoms are very mild. If you have the symptoms of ASD and it interferes with your work or social life, you should speak with your GP.

24. Tests for ASD • There are no specific tests for ASD, although other tests such as hearing tests and blood tests may be done to rule out other health conditions. • no link between the MMR vaccine and ASD. Research shows that more children are diagnosed with ASD now than 10 years ago and the number of children receiving the MMR vaccine has stayed the same.

25. Treatment For ASD • There is no treatment that can ‘cure’ autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there are many ways in which a person with ASD can get support to manage their condition. These methods of management and support are often called ‘interventions’. Many people with ASD will require specialist care and support throughout their lives. A lot of different health professionals will work as a team to care for them. • The aim of interventions is to help a person with ASD to speak and communicate better, and to get along better in education and at work. Health professionals think that interventions work better when a child with ASD starts them from a young age.

26. TREATMENT • Because ASD differs from person to person, the type of support a person needs will depend on their own individual circumstances. It will also depend on what services and treatments are available in the area that you live. Not all services are available on the NHS in all areas. • Although not a treatment in itself, a psychologist may set tests to help decide the best treatment options.

27. Some facts and statistics • 21% of children with an ASD have been excluded from school at least once • Adults with autism say that finding a suitable job would improve their lives more than anything else • People with autism often want to make friends but due to their disability find it difficult

28. Some facts and statistics • 40% of all children with autism wait more than three years for a clear diagnosis • An estimated 535,000 people have autism in the UK • Boys are four times more likely to develop autism than girls • Around 70% of people with autism have an IQ below 70 (the average IQ of the population is 100). This is classed as a learning disability. Some people with autism have normal or high intelligence. • Many people with Asperger's have normal or above average intelligence and can lead independent lives.