Autism in the classroom

Adam Frampton and Cheyanne Rose

What is autism?
Also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Complex neurological disorder
A category of Pervasive developmental disorder
Similar to aspergers syndrome

What is autism?
Similar to aspergers syndrome:
social impairments
verbal / nonverbal communication problems
restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests
and activities
Unlike aspergers syndrome, children with autism have
inhibited language development and cognitive
functioning.

What is autism?
In addition to previous symptoms, children with ASD
display delayed or abnormal functioning in imaginative
and symbolic play
Diagnosed in early childhood - symptoms must occur
before age three
Affects all ages, socioeconomic demographics, and
ethnicities
Males are four times as likely to develop ASD than
females
1 in 68 children by age 8 have developed ASD

Who or what is responsible?

No known cause
Hereditary correlations
Irregular regions in the brain
Environmental correlations
Irregular serotonin levels
serotonin: mood and social behavior regulation
are parents to blame? No!

Does he have autism?

Early indicators
Symptoms can occur as early as age one, when the
child does not point or babble
Unresponsive to name
Poor eye contact
No smiling or social responsiveness
Absence of pretend play

Does he have autism?

Later indicators
Failure to create and maintain social relationships
Delayed language development
~25 to 30% never acquire a spoken language
poor conversation skills / lack of social reciprocity
May lack empathy - one-sided communication
Very narrow range of interests
Repetitive, stereotyped behaviors

Autism and intellect

Up to three-quarters of children with autism are
intellectually disabled, with an IQ of below 70.
Verbal IQ is predominantly inhibited while mathematical
and spatial IQ scores are near-normal

Do symptoms of autism change?

Symptoms typically improve with treatment and age
Children with regressed language skills by age three are at
higher risk for developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain
activity
Adolescents with ASD may become depressed or
experience behavioral problems
Adults with ASD usually need support as they age, but
many are able to work successfully and live
independently or within a supportive environment

Autism in the Classroom

Outburst occur when child becomes frustrated
Participate less in class activities
Have a positive high structured environment
set schedule
rules in plain sight
have punishments set in place

Continued...
be patient and tolerant of their social abnormalities
9 out of 10 students with autism in general education
classes are expected by their teachers to keep up with
others in the classroom
Usually people pleasers

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APY2a
keZPLk

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APY2a
keZPLk

Reference
Autism facts sheet (2009). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
National Institutes of Health [NINDS] (09-1977). Retrieved from
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
Baio, J. (2014). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years - autism and developmental
disabilities monitoring network. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). United States: Center for
Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6302a1.htm
Seltzer, M.M., Greenberg, J.S., Floyd, F.J., and Hong, J. (2004). The trajectory of
development in adolescents and adults with autism. Mental Retardation Developmental Disabilities Research
Reviews, 10: 234-247.
Slaughter, V. P. (2014). Autism. Magills Medical Guide (Online Edition). Retrieved from
https://zeus.tarleton.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ers&AN=86193916&site=eds-live