Group 1

Autism
Spectrum
Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain
development that impacts how a person perceives and
socializes with others, causing problems in social
interaction and communication.

 The disorder also includes limited and repetitive

patterns of behavior.

 It can involve a wide range of symptoms and skills.

2
Autism Spectrum Disorder

 ASD can be a minor problem or a disability that needs

full-time care in a special facility.

 People with autism might have problems with learning.

Their skills might develop unevenly.

3
Autism
 Begins in early childhood and eventually causes
problems functioning in society.

 A small number of children appear to develop

normally in the first year, and then go through a
period of regression between 18 and 24 months of
age when they develop autism symptoms.

4

ASPERGER’S
SYNDROME
These children don't have a
problem with language; in fact,
they tend to score in the average or
above-average range on
communication, and play in
intelligence tests. But they have
social problems and a narrow
scope of interests.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
CHILDHOOD
AUTISTIC DISINTEGRATIVE
DISORDER DISORDER
It refers to problems with These children have typical
social interactions, development for at least 2
years and then lose some or
children younger than 3 most of their communication
years. and social skills.
PERVASIVE
DEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDER
Your doctor might use this term
if your child has some autistic
behavior, like delays in social
and communications skills, but
doesn’t fit into another
category.
Symptoms Social Skills
Symptoms  He can’t respond to his name by his first birthday.

Symptoms  Playing, sharing, or talking with other people doesn’t interest him.

Symptoms  He prefers to be alone.

Symptoms  He avoids or rejects physical contact.

Symptoms
 He avoids eye contact.

 When he’s upset, he doesn’t like to be comforted.

Symptoms  He doesn’t understand emotions -- his own or others’.

Symptoms  He may not stretch out his arms to be picked up or guided with

walking.
Symptoms
Symptoms 6
Symptoms Communication
 Delayed speech and language skills

 Flat, robotic speaking voice, or singsong voice

 Echolalia (repeating the same phrase over and over)

 Problems with pronouns (saying “you” instead of “I,” for

example)

 Not using or rarely using common gestures (pointing or

waving), and not responding to them

 Inability to stay on topic when talking or answering questions

 Not recognizing sarcasm or joking

Symptoms
 Patterns of Behavior
 Repetitive behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking, jumping, or twirling

s
 Constant moving (pacing) and “hyper” behavior

om
 Fixations on certain activities or objects
 Specific routines or rituals (and getting upset when a routine is changed,
pt even slightly)
 Extreme sensitivity to touch, light, and sound
m
 Not taking part in “make-believe” play or imitating others’ behaviors
 Fussy eating habits
Sy

 Lack of coordination, clumsiness

 Impulsiveness (acting without thinking)
 Aggressive behavior, both with self and others
 Short attention span
Spotting Signs & Symptoms

 Smiles by 6 months

 Imitates facial expressions or sounds by 9 months

Symptoms
 Coos or babbles by 12 months

 Gestures (points or waves) by 14 months

 Speaks with single words by 16 months and uses phrases

of two words or more by 24 months

 Plays pretend or “make-believe” by 18 months

9
 Diagnosis
 Diagnosing ASD can be difficult since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorders.

 Doctors look at the child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis.

 Pediatricians are the first step in the autism diagnosis process. Every child gets an assessment at their 18- and
24-month checkups to make sure they’re on track, even if they don’t seem to have any symptoms.

 At these visits, your child’s pediatrician will watch him and talk to him. She’ll ask you questions about family
history (whether anyone in the family is on the spectrum), and about your child’s development and behavior.

10
 Diagnosis
 The responses are very important in the child’s screening. If everything checks out and the child have no
concerns, that’s the end of it. But if the child shows developmental problems or the doctor has concerns,
She/he will refer you to a specialist for more tests.

Other Test
 If the child needs more tests, the next appointment probably will be with a team of ASD specialists -- child
psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist. You may also meet with a
developmental pediatrician and a neurologist.

11
 Diagnosis
 The evaluation is usually to check things like, the child’s cognitive level, language abilities, and
other life skills like eating, dressing himself, and going to the bathroom.

 For an official diagnosis, the child must meet the standards of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.

12
 Diagnosis
 Your child must have problems with two categories to fall on the autism spectrum.

1. Challenges with communication and social interaction. For kids with ASD, it’s hard to
“connect” with or predict the reactions of other people, read social cues, make eye contact, or
have a conversation. They might not begin to speak as early as other children do. They might
also have a hard time with the muscle skills needed for things like playing sports or drawing and
writing.

13
 Diagnosis
 Your child must have problems with two categories to fall on the autism spectrum.

2. Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Children with ASD might rock their bodies,
repeat phrases, or become upset with changes in their routines. They’re often deeply interested in one
subject. They also have sensory issues.

The child’s doctors might recommend genetic testing to rule out any other conditions that could cause
these symptoms.

14
 Treatment
- The type of treatment the child receives for autism spectrum disorder depends on his individual needs. Because ASD
is a spectrum disorder (meaning some children have mild symptoms and others have severe symptoms) and each
child who has it is unique, there are a variety of treatments.

- It include different kinds of therapies to improve speech and behavior, and sometimes medications to help manage
any medical conditions related to autism.

- The treatments your child can benefit from, most depends on his situation and needs, but the goal is the same: to
reduce his symptoms and improve his learning and development.
 Treatment
1. Behavior and Communication Treatments
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is often used in schools and clinics to help your child learn positive
behaviors and reduce negative ones. This approach can be used to improve a wide range of skills, and there are
different types for different situations, including:
1. = Discrete trial training (DTT) uses simple lessons and positive reinforcement.
2. = Pivotal response training (PRT) helps develop motivation to learn and communicate.
3. = Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is best for children under age 5.
4. = Verbal behavior intervention (VBI) focuses on language skills.
 Treatment
2. Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based Approach (DIR). This kind of treatment is better
known as Floortime. That’s because it involves you getting on the floor with your child to play and do the activities
he likes.
It’s meant to support emotional and intellectual growth by helping him learn skills around communication and
emotions.

3. Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-handicapped Children (TEACCH). This
treatment uses visual cues such as picture cards to help your child learn everyday skills like getting dressed.
Information is broken down into small steps so he can learn it more easily.
 Treatment
4. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). This is another visual-based treatment, but it uses
symbols instead of picture cards. Your child learns to ask questions and communicate through special symbols.

5. Occupational Therapy . This kind of treatment helps your child learn life skills like feeding and dressing himself,
bathing, and understanding how to relate to other people. The skills he learns are meant to help him live as
independently as he can.

7. Sensory Integration Therapy. If your child is easily upset by things like bright lights, certain sounds, or the
feeling of being touched, this therapy can help him learn to deal with that kind of sensory information.
 Causes
Genetics Environmental Factors

For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with Researchers are currently
a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome.
exploring whether factors
such as viral infections,
For other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the
medications or complications
risk of autism spectrum disorder. Still other genes may affect brain
development or the way that brain cells communicate, or they may during pregnancy, or air
determine the severity of symptoms. pollutants play a role in
triggering autism spectrum
Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur
disorder.
spontaneously.

19
 Risk Factors
Parents' Ages
There may be a connection between children born to
older parents and autism spectrum disorder, but more
research is necessary to establish this link.

Extremely preterm babies Your child's sex

Babies born before 26 weeks of gestation may have a Boys are about four times more likely to
greater risk of autism spectrum disorder. develop autism spectrum disorder than girls are.
 Risk Factors
Other disorders
Family history
Children with certain medical conditions have a higher than
Families who have one child with autism
normal risk of autism spectrum disorder or autism-like symptoms.
spectrum disorder have an increased risk of having
Examples include fragile X syndrome, an inherited disorder that
another child with the disorder. It's also not uncommon
causes intellectual problems; tuberous sclerosis, a condition in
for parents or relatives of a child with autism spectrum
which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome, a
disorder to have minor problems with social or
genetic condition occurring almost exclusively in girls, which
communication skills themselves or to engage in
causes slowing of head growth, intellectual disability and loss of
certain behaviors typical of the disorder.
purposeful hand use.
 Complications

#1 #2 #3 #4 #6
#5
Problems in Employment Inability to live Social isolation Stress within the Victimization and
school and with problems independently family being bullied
successful
learning

22
 Prevention
There's no way to prevent autism spectrum disorder, but there are treatment options. Early
diagnosis and intervention is most helpful and can improve behavior, skills and
language development. However, intervention is helpful at any age. Though children
usually don't outgrow autism spectrum disorder symptoms, they may learn to
function well.

23
“Autism is not a disability,
it’s a different ability”.
 Thanks!
Does anyone have any questions?
Credits
https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/symptoms-of-autism#1
https://
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-ca
uses/syc-20352928?page=0&citems=10
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/facts.html
https://www.autism-society.org/what-is/
https://
www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Autism-
Spectrum-Disorder-Fact-Sheet
https://
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml

26