Autism Awareness 2011 by Linda Donnelly

1. Autism Awareness2011byLinda Donnelly

2. True or False? • There is only one type of autism and most people diagnosed with it exhibit the same types of behavior • False • Autism is an umbrella diagnosis for 5 specific types of the disorder; these are known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

3. The 5 Categories of ASDs • Asperger syndrome (high-functioning autism) • Kanner’s syndrome (classic autism) • Pervasive Developmental Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) • Childhood Disintegrative Disorder • Rhett’s disease (Female only) • Internet Special Education Resources

4. What is Autism? • Autism is a neurological condition that affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills • From the Greek root autos meaning “self,” autism literally means “alone.” • All individuals on the autism spectrum suffer from anxiety issues • There is no blood test, no scan, and no image that can detect autism. Diagnosis relies on behavioral observations

5. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) • Symptoms of ASDs usually appear during the first three years of life • ASDs persist into adulthood and remain a lifelong challenge for individuals with the diagnosis • There is no known cause for autism, although there are many theories, including environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and even diet • There is no “cure” for ASDs

6. True or False? • One in four (25%) of people diagnosed with autism will also suffer from a seizure disorder • True • About one in four autistic individuals begin to have seizures during puberty. The exact reason for the onset of seizures is not known, but it is likely that the seizure activity may be due to hormonal changes in the body. • www.togetherforautism.org

7. Facts about ASDs • Across the decade of 1993-2003, statistics revealed a 657% increase in the nationwide diagnosis of autism (Department of Education) • Autism now affects 1 in 110 children (Autism Speaks) • Only 1 in 10 autistics are “savants” (extraordinary skills); In reality, mental retardation occurs in 75-80% of persons with autism (New England Center for Children)

8. The Cost of Autism • Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year and is expected to increase during the next decade (Autism Speaks) • In 2011, autism is now more common than childhood cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined (CDC) but receives the least amount of federal funding • Most private insurance doesn’t cover the cost of treatments related to an autism diagnosis

9. True or False? • More children from Caucasian, middle-class families with college-educated parents (one or both) are diagnosed with autism than any other population • False • Autism is an equal opportunity disability (other than gender); there is no correlation between race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, nationality, etc. • www.autismspeaks.org

10. Who is Affected? • Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism • Siblings of those with an ASD are at greater risk for being on the spectrum • Approximately 67 million people worldwide are affected by autism www.autismspeaks.org

11. True or False? • Many people with high-functioning autism have normal to high intelligence • True Individuals with high-functioning autism typically have a normal or even high I.Q., often have a large, impressive vocabulary, and are usually mainstreamed in regular classrooms. Some even graduate from college

12. Asperger’s syndrome • Individuals with high-functioning autism are often diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome • Those with Asperger’s syndrome may excel in fields such as computer programming and science • Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome are able to take care of themselves and usually able to live alone as adults; some marry and have children.

13. True or False? • People with autism prefer to be left alone most of the time and don’t really care if they have friends • False • Most individuals with autism, especially those high-functioning autism, desire friendships and want to “fit in” with their peers, but their social awkwardness, rigidness, and emotional immaturity make those goals very difficult to achieve

14. High-functioning autism Obsessive Behaviors • Areas of interest may be quite narrow, such as an obsession with one topic or area • Individuals with high functioning autism will present many facts about their subject of interest, but there will seem to be no point or conclusion. • They often do not recognize that the other person has lost interest in the topic. • Are not flexible about routines or rituals; seem very rigid and have difficulty with sudden change

15. High-functioning autismIsolation/Social Problems • Problems interpreting body language, facial expressions, or social cues • Often respond inappropriately in social settings • May be emotionally immature • Difficulty making eye contact • May appear cold or rude at times • May be singled out by others as "weird" or "strange."

16. High-functioning autismCommunication Problems • May have difficulty engaging in natural conversational exchanges • May speak in a monotone • Difficulty interpreting humor and figurative language; sarcasm and exaggeration is especially difficult to process; difficulty understanding jokes • Do not recognize the need to change the volume of their voice in different settings

17. Treatments • Individual psychotherapy/counseling • Parent/Peer education and training • Behavioral modification • Social skills training • Educational interventions • Medications

18. True or False? • Albert Einstein probably had high-functioning autism • True • Given what is known about autism now, Einstein’s quirky behavior and social deficits would qualify for an autism diagnosis if he were alive today

19. Famous Individuals on the Autism Spectrum • There are many famous people who display autistic characteristics with or without having a formal diagnosis: • Bill Gates—Creator of Microsoft Systems • Mark Twain—Author • Emily Dickinson--Poet • Ludwig von Beethoven--Composer • Vincent Van Gogh--Painter • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart--Composer • Thomas Jefferson—Politician and author of “The Declaration of Independence” • Thomas Edison—Inventor • Temple Grandin—Leading Animal Behavior Expert • Bob Dylan—Singer/Songwriter • Mark Zuckerberg—Creator of Facebook www.autism-behavior-strategies.com

20. Autism: MoviesAdd to your Netflix queue Temple Grandin Adam What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Mozart and the Whale Rain Man The Black Balloon Little Man Tate I am Sam Radio Parenthood (TV)

21. Autism in Literature The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddock House Rules by Jodi Picoult Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robinson All Cats have Asperger syndrome by Kathy Hoopmann

22. True or False? • In the 1950s, mothers were blamed if their child was diagnosed with autism • True • In the 1950s, a mother’s failure to bond with her child was blamed for the condition, regardless if she had other normal children. These mothers were labeled “refrigerator mothers” because they were considered to be emotionally cold

23. Linda & Jack DonnellyFebruary 3, 1995

24. Linda & Jack DonnellyApril, 2011

25. Works Cited • www.autismsocietyofamerica.org • www.autismspeaks.org • www.cdc.org • www.departmentofeducation.gov • www.newenglandcenterforchildren.com • www.togetherforautism.org