WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS?

1. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS? On the whiteboard, place a tally next to each phrase that describes your personality- be honest 

2. Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism:The Tools Needed for Success

4. A trip back in time… 1943- Leo Kanner described Autism for the first time. “Infantile Autism” 1981-Asperger’s 1st acknowledged in a publication by Lorna Wing- “Asperger Syndrome” 1994- DSM IV includes Asperger Syndrome 1944- Hans Asperger published findings of his during a study- “Autistic Psychopathy” 1987- DSM changed name to “Autistic Disorder”

5. As a Matter of Fact… • Current statistics indicate 1 in 150 births • 4 out of 5 diagnosed are boys • neurological disability • People with autism have a normal life span. • There is no known single cause for autism. • It occurs in all countries and within all socioeconomic classes • the earlier the intervention, the better

6. What is this thing called Autism? Autism Spectrum Disorders or Pervasive Developmental Disorders Autism PDD-NOS Asperger Syndrome Rett Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

8. Areas Affected by an ASD Behavior Social interaction communication

9. Why do we say SPECTRUM?social skills * communication * repetitive behaviors Active and interested but odd Aloof and disinterested passive

10. Reduced or unusual social interactions Poor eye contact Difficult to motivate Mindblindness Identifying feelings in self or others May have no speech or echolalia Poor volume control Difficulty interpreting social gestures Restricted range of interests Perseveration Concrete, literal thinkers Insistence on sameness Poor organizational skills Unusual tone Delayed processing time Characteristics of Autism and Asperger’s

11. -reciprocity - solitude -eye contact -view of friendship -play with peers -code of conduct -honesty -facial expressions -theory of mind -competitiveness -high expectations Asperger’s Syndrome and social skills

12. Asperger’s Syndrome and communication -reciprocity -sense of humor -tone of voice -volume -precise/ states the facts -literal interpretation -vocalizing thoughts

13. Asperger’s Syndrome and cognition • Long term memory • Computer skills • Specific learning problems • Imaginative play • Visual thinking • Special interests • Routines and order • Movement

14. A G E CognitiveCommunication Social Daily Living Acad Motor Non-verbal - Verbal Receptive - Expressive- Interact - Leisure- Pers - Domestic -Comn Word Comp.- Math Fine - Gross recog Profile of a student with Asperger's Syndrome: Age 16yrs, 7mos Age Social use of lang.

15. High Functioning Autismvs.Asperger’s

16. Imagine…

17. by Elisa Gagnon and Brenda Smith Myles

18. Straight from the Mouths of Babes “I want a world with friends.”

19. “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”-Yogi Berra

20. Therapies and Methodologies • Applied Behavior Analysis • (RDI) Relationship Development Intervention • Occupational Therapy • Speech and Language Therapy • Sensory Integration Therapy • Diet • Pharmocotherapy • Music Therapy • DIR Floortime

21. Where do we start?

22. 1.Identify underlying characteristics behaviors Underlying characteristics

23. 2. Prioritize skills to be taught.

24. 3. Select strategies.

25. 4. Determine who will deliver instruction.

26. A look towards the future… • The Hidden Curriculum • Social Stories • Scripting • Comic Strip Conversations • T-charts • The Incredible 5 point scale • Stress thermometer • Power Cards • Rule Cards • Visual supports • Behavioral supports

27. The Big BANG Theory