Science presentation: Autism

MAIN SYMPTOMS

~social communication difficulties

~restrictive, repetitive behaviors

MAIN SYMPTOMS

WHEN DO THE SYMPTOMS START?

They usually begin in your early childhood.

Usually diagnosed by the age of 3

WHEN?

They usually interfere with your daily living.

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES

~speaking challenges- about one third of people with autism are nonverbal

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES

~ gestures and motions

~eye contact while talking

~facial expressions

~expressions not meant to be taken literally

FACT

INTERESTING FACT

Most children were still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2. 

GENETICS

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Research tells us that autism runs in families. Changes in certain genes increase the risk that a child will develop autism. If a parent carries one or more of these gene changes, they may get passed to a child (even if the parent does not have autism). Other times, these genetic changes arise naturally. The majority of these gene changes do not cause autism by themselves. They simply increase risk for the disorder.

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ENVIRONMENTAL

Research also shows that certain environmental influences may increase or decrease autism risk in people who are genetically predisposed* to the disorder. Importantly, the increase or decrease in risk appears to be small for any risk.

*genetically predisposed-increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person's genetic makeup.

INTERESTING FACTS

~31% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability

~boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls.

SCREENINGS AND DIAGNOSIS

Doctors recommend that all children get screened for autism at their 18 and 24 month well-child check up. If your not sure if you were screened, you can ask your doctor for a screening. If the screen shows that your child may have autism - it is not a diagnosis. You should speak with your child's healthcare provider about getting a full evaluation from a qualified medical specialist.

CURES AND TREATMENTS

There is no direct way to cure autism, however there are ways to help it. All people with autism are different and unique in their own way; therefore, there is

no treatment that works with

everyone. Each treatment

plan should be adjusted so

that it meets the person's

specific needs. Treatments

can consist of medicines

or behavioral treatments,

or both. Each person with

autism has a different

medical condition such as;

sleep disturbance, seizures,

or gastrointestinal (GI) distress.

Focusing on these conditions can improve attention, learning and related behaviors.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

It is hard predict who is at risk of getting autism.

"The primary known risk factor for autism is family history," says Rebecca Landa, PhD, director of the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Baltimore. "Family history of an autism spectrum disorder can increase the risk for an autism diagnosis."

Autism runs in the family. Parents who have one child with autism, has a 5 perent risk of having another child with autism.

WHY I CHOSE THIS

I chose to do the disease autism because I thought that it would be very interesting to learn about. And I'm glad I chose it because I had a lot of fun learning about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

QUESTION

Do you know someone with autism?

About what percentage

of children do you

think have autism?

about 1.7%

INTERESTING FACT

Sesame Place is world's first theme park designated as a Certified Autism Center

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/sesame-place-is-world-s-first-theme-park-designated-as-a-certified-autism-center-1268886595588