Autism Fact Sheet

Autism Fact Sheet

Erin Cherniak SE 905

History of aUTISM

1908: Eugune Bleuler creates term of autism when working with patients with schizophrienia

1943-1944: Hans Asperger and Leo Kanner study children in regards to routine, sensory stimuli and communication.

1967: Bettelheim attributes the disorder to poor parenting.

1977: Autism found in genes

1991: Autism added as a special education category in U.S. education

kEY RESEARCHERS

Hans Asperger

Researcher behind Asberger's syndrome, revealed that similar traits to autism and within his studies he called his subjects, "little professors" because of their high specialized interests.

cAUSES

Not one single universal cause for autism.

Leo Kanner

Possible

• Genetics (Fragile X syndrome)
• Brain development
• Prenatal/Environmental factors

Ruled out Causes

• Vaccinations (still a debate)
• Lead exposure
• Parenting

Identified autism, differentiated from schizophrenia and developed characteristics

tREATMENT

Treatments vary by individual.

Diagnosis of Autism

mEDICAL

Anxiety medication

Sleep disorders

ADHD Medication

Antiepileptic drugs

behavioral

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Role playing
• Model behaviors

• No medical test that can diagnose
• Diagnostic testing includes the following:
• Team of professionals devised to evaluate.
• Members of team listed below.
• pediatrician
• psychologist
• speech/language pathologist
• occupational therapist
• Genetic testing may be completed.
• Medical screening for other related symptoms

Characteristics

sources

Early Diagnosis

Parents may notice signs of autism early in life.

The Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers is a series of questions that may lead to a further evaluation of a child with a developmental specialist.

Late In Life Diagnosis

• Socialization difficulty
• emotions hard to regulate
• social norms not met
• Communication deficits
• attention/inability to process
• Repeptive action/routine
• Rely on routine
• stemming behavior
• Physical/Medical issues
• genetic disorders

Social/emotional challenges may lead to observations and interviews by specialists to start diagnosis.

www.autismspeaks.org

http://nationalautismassociation.org/

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Autism-History.aspx

Newschaffer, C. J., & Laura Kresch Curran. (2003). Autism: An Emerging Public Health Problem. Public Health Reports (1974-), 118(5), 393–399. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4598874

Bower, B.. (2014). Tablet devices help kids with autism speak up. Science News, 186(3), 10–10. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/24366143

Bower, B.. (2013). DSM-5's controversial debut: Diagnostic manual updates disorder criteria. Science News, 184(13), 29–29. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23599414

Impact on Family

CLASSROOM

STRATEGIES

Visible or Personal Schedule: notify students when there is a change

Estimated $60,000 a year for a family

Parents can be hesitant to diagnose or quick to want to reach a label and improperly diagnose. It can be overwhelming to understand a condition that is still being researched.

Sibling experience many of the same feelings and in addition they may feel left out because of the family focus on the child with autism.

UDL: Provide multiple ways of learning material and differentiate expectations

1.

2.

3.

4.

Vary methods of communication

PECS: Picture Exchange Communication System

Social stories, role playing to develop social interaction, involve peers