Autistic Spectrum Disorder (DSM-V)

What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, Autism Spectrum Disorder is a group of developmental brain disorders that reaches across a wide range of symptoms as well as level of impairment. People with ASD tend to have deficits in three main areas: social communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior. These symptoms and the impact upon the persons life can range from mild to severe. ASD has three subcategories: autistic disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PPD), which are differentiated by which combination of the three deficit areas are present.

Teaching Strategies for students with ASD

Understand that behavior communicates intent or distress. Make environmental changes and implement behavioral interventions to maximize learning for all students. Use visuals to convey instructions, meanings, routines and schedules. Minimize transitions, offer opportunities for practice, and a consistent daily routine. Avoid surprises,

What causes of ASD?

While there is no known single cause for autism, researchers have noted that children with ASD have abnormal brain structures. The cause for these abnormalities is unknown. Patterns of ASD in families suggest a genetic component, but no specific link has been discovered. One popular theory is the possibility that those affected have a genetic susceptibility to environmental toxins.

What are the signs of ASD?

Many symptoms of ASD involve communication, including responding inappropriately or not understanding reciprocity in conversations, failing to initiate social interactions, a lack of facial expressions during communication, and deficits in understanding relationships. Physical manifestations of ASD include repetitive motor movements, insistence on sameness, hypersensitivity to sensory input, and fixated interests. The key component is that these symptoms cause impairment in the daily functioning of the person affected.

and prepare in advance for

special activities. Be aware of sensory needs when developing classroom activities. Do not request information when the students are upset, and allow space for coping.

Want more info? Check out these web sites:

Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Society www.autism-society.org The nations leading grassroots autism organization, Autism Society exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. Through its strong national network of affiliates, the Autism Society has spearheaded numerous pieces of state and local legislation, including the 2006 Combating Autism Act, the first federal autism-specific law. Autism Initiatives at Kennedy Krieger Institute http://autism.kennedykrieger.org At Kennedy Krieger, our doctors, researchers, educators, and therapists are working together to tackle the complex challenges surrounding autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Institute's participation in the Autism Treatment Network is helping to drive forward the understanding and treatment of these puzzling disorders, and our creation of the Interactive Autism Network is accelerating the pace of autism research nation-wide

The letters DSM-V stands for the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). Published

in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association, its the primary manual used by clinicians to provide a formal diagnosis of autism and related disorders. DSM-V incorporates some changes to the prior definition of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, such as removing the requirement for language
April 2, 2014

delay as a requirement for diagnosis.

References
American Psychiatric Association (2013). Autism spectrum disorder. DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet, Retrieved from http://www.autism.com/index.php/news_dsmV Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Division of Special Education. (n.d.). An overview of autistic spectrum disorder. Retrieved from website: http://www.aacps.org/specialed/autism.pdf DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/dsm5-diagnostic-criteria