Autism and You

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Autism and You
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First things first

• When youve met one person with Autism,
  youve met one person with autism.

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What is Autism?
American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines
Autism as
-Severe qualitative impairment in Reciprocal
social interaction Verbal and nonverbal
communication -Restricted range of activities
and interests -Demonstrates unusual interests
and ways of playing.
(The definition/diagnosis is currently undergoing
revision and is to be released in 2013)
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Age of occurrence
Signs of autism can be shown within the first 18
months Some have no behaviors until the first
two years In this case children will develop
normally, then lose speech, become self-absorbed,
and play abilities deteriorate. By age 3, the
two types are indistinguishable
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How many any who?
Currently 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with
a form of autism!
Ratio of boys to girls Autism 2 to
1 Aspergers Syndrome 5 to 1
Retts Disorder -Primarily found in girls
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Signs of autism
At an early age the following is shown -
Sleep disturbance and feeding problems -
Difficult to comfort - Not interested in
people or social activities - Prefer to play
alone - Fascination with sensory experiences
- Doesnt imitate parents - Doesnt seek
parents reassurance/approval - Poor eye
contact - Content with long periods of
solitude - Prefers consistency in daily life
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Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autistic disorder - child has impairment in
social interaction, communication, repetitive
behaviors, restricted interests.
Retts disorder - primarily found in girls, is a
genetic disorder and effects early brain
development. Signs loss of hand use, seizures,
progressive spasticity of the lower
extremities, and acquired microcephaly.
Childhood disintegrative disorder - rare form
(neurologically related) more common found in
boys, has typical development till ages 3-5.
Signs loss in language, social interests, and
ability to move bowels
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Autism Spectrum Disorders Cont
Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise
specific (PDD-NOS) - is a vague term, late
onset, atypical symptoms, or sub-threshold
symptoms. Small fragments of autism. (Attwood)
Aspergers disorder -Impaired conversation
skills, poor control of emotions, with tendency
to intellectualize feelings, socially
immature, egocentric preoccupation with a
specific topic or interest that would dominate
their thinking and play, clumsiness, sensitivity
to some sounds or smells, and poor
organizational and self-help skills
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Important Factors
Family- Supportive ,understanding , patient,
always wanting to learn more, provides love, and
will give the supports needed for their child.
Medical Professionals psychologists,
neuropsychologists, pediatric neurologists,
developmental and behavior pediatrician,
psychiatrist.
Teachers- provide the student with a structured
curriculum, the ability to develop social skills
with the assistance of an adult, along with an
environment where they can grow.
Friends- many children with autism have
difficulty socializing but they are always
wanting to have friends. This is an important
factor to help them develop their social skills,
and awareness of others.
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Psychological, Educational, and Therapeutic
Interventions
-Animal Therapy -Applied Behavior Analysis -Art
Therapy -Augmentative and Alternative
Communication (AAC) -Early Intensive Behavioral
Intervention/Treatment -Holding Therapy -Music
Therapy -Oral-Motor Training/Therapy -Picture
Exchange Communication System (PECS) -Recreational
Sports/Exercise -Sensory-motor Therapies -Social
Skills Groups -Social Stories
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Music and Autism
Music Therapy- is the clinical and evidence-based
use of music interventions to accomplish
individualized goals within a therapeutic
relationship by a credentialed professional who
has completed an approved music therapy program.
(American Music Therapy Association)
For Children with Autism sessions are documented
in a treatment plan and delivered in accordance
with standards of practice.
Possible outcomes Increased
attention Improved behavior Decreased
self-stimulation Enhanced auditory processing
Improved cognitive functioning Decreased
agitation Increased socialization Improved
verbal skills Successful and safe
self-expression Enhanced sensory-motor skills
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Music and Autism
Derek Paravicini is a blind English autistic
savant and a musical prodigy.
Check out this Musical Genius
Broadway Music can be a means of enjoyment, but
how can someone with sensory issues of lights
and sounds still enjoy music? -As musicians and
entertainers there is always a way
Mary Poppins and Autism
Listening Therapy
Christine and Jason's story
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From a parents Experience
Brenda Kline (my cousin) has a daughter with
autism in which they have used music to assist
in her environment. They used listening therapy
where Brenda said, It did seem to bring about
more awareness to her surroundings. Before the
listening therapy she wouldn't even turn her head
to see who was coming, or what the noise was
behind her, that kind of thing. It definitely
improved her awareness. Additionally Brenda
said, She loves CLASSICAL/JAZZ MUSIC. When she
gets over stimulated or I can't calm her down, I
put on a jazz or classical radio station and she
seems to mellow out. It doesn't work all the
time, but it definitely has saved my sanity more
times than I can count. Especially in the car.
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Important facts from parents
Many individuals on the spectrum can lead normal
lives if properly diagnosed and treated. -Matt
Rosendale
They are not aware that others are watching them
and perceiving their behaviors as negative.
Brenda Kline
Our lifelong goals for Alexei include her
ability to choose a career path, gain the
necessary education, be able to live independent,
and have long-term personal relationships with
friends. Lisa and Matt Rosendale
People tend to be judgmental in public. They
tend to believe that you are a bad parent and
are not disciplining your child, when the
reality is, the child is autistic.- Brenda Kline
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Temple Grandin
Dr. Grandin was diagnosed with autism in 1950,
where she grew up during a time where little was
known about autism. During her years she was
seen as weird to others who did not understand
her. She currently is a Professor of Animal
Science at Colorado State University.
Additionally she speaks at many conventions to
lecture about autism. She has written many
books on autism, and there was even a movie made
about her growing up with autism. The movie
Temple Grandin, follows her life with autism
and the struggles she faced. It depicts a good
insight of what things look like through the
eyes and ears of someone with autism.
Temple's Speech
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References
http//www.asatonline.org
http//www.musictherapy.org
http//www.templegrandin.com/
Buron, K., Wolfberg, P. (2008). Learners on the
Autism Spectrum Preparing Highly Qualified
Educators.