Autism Spectrum Disorder

Part I

PEMA YANGZOM /ASSISTANT LECTURER

Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Persistent deficit in:

Social
Exhibiting
communication and
Restricted and
interaction across
Repetitive behaviors
contexts
All types of ASD has some similar characteristics such as:

A)Impaired social and Communication skills

1) Impaired social interaction

-lack of normal eye contact or gaze
-Decreased frequency of looking at other’s face
-lack of interest in playing with other children
-absence of pointing, showing and giving objects
-lack of response to social stimuli
-absence of initiating social interaction
2) Communication and language deficits

-lack of facial expressions, gestures and body postures used for

communicating needs and wants

Eg: pointing to objects, winking or nodding during a

conversation, shaking hands etc.

-lack/delay of spoken language

-problem with voice modulation

-speaks in flat monotonous one

3) Atypical social relationship
-Difficulty relating to others
-reduced interest in people
-difficulty initiating play
-limited ability to pick up social cues
-difficulties adjusting behavior to different social context
-difficulty making friends
B) Restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests

1) Stereotypes and Repetitive motor and vocal mannerisms:

-Repetitive hand and body movements
-lining up toys
-spinning
-rotating
-rocking and swaying
-hand flapping/waving
-unrecognizing vocalizations
-idiosyncratic phrases
-echolalia
Echolalia: repetition of words that they have previously heard
due to limited vocabulary, poor intonation and pronoun reversal.
2) Inflexible Adherence to Routines and Rituals

-extreme distress at small changes

-difficulties with transitions
-rigid thinking patterns
-greeting rituals
-need to take the same route
-take same food everyday
3) Preoccupations and Restricted Interests

-have narrow interest

-particular toys and schedules
-strong attachment to unusual objects
 Sensory Behaviors

i) sensory over responsivity:

Receives strong negative reactions to sensory inputs
which leads to avoidance

Eg: adverse response to specific sounds, textures or

smells
ii) sensory under responsivity:
individuals are unaware of, has delayed reaction to
sensory stimuli
Eg: Apparent indifference to pain/temperature, banging
heads on the tables, placing their hands on the hot
stoves etc.
iii) sensory seeking behaviour :
also referred to as cravings, individuals demonstrate
obsession with certain sensory experiences

Eg: visual fascination with lights or movements,

excessive smelling or touching of objects, licking floors
and walls etc.
Unusual Behavior Pattern:
-Aggression to others
-self-injurious behavior
-Extreme social fears
-severe sleep problems
-Non-compliant behavior
Self-Regulatory Behavior:

Ability to manage your emotions and behavior in

accordance with the demands of the situation.
Challenging Behaviour

• Some children with autism exhibit behavior

problems in the form of property destruction,
aggression toward others, and even self-injury.
Asperger Syndrome
-problem with social interaction
-Repetitive behavior
-have unusual and restricted interests
-have or above average intellectual abilities
-Language is developed normally
Other characteristics include:
-Social stiffness and awkwardness
-Tendency to focus on favourite conversational topic
-concrete and literal thinking
-good comprehension of factual material
-poor organizational skills
-emotional vulnerability and stress
-low self esteem and depression
Autistic Savants

-An individual who displays more behaviors associated with

autism yet also possesses discrete abilities and unusual talents

Eg: Outstanding artistic, musical and calculus abilities

-They have difficulty with social interaction

-Number of autistic savants is very less, less than 1% of

individuals diagnosed with Autism
Comorbidity with other conditions
Causes:
1.
neuropatholo
gy

3.
2. Genetic
Environment
al Factors factors
References:

Hallahan, D. P., Kauffman, J.M. & Pullen, P. C. (2014). Exceptional Learners: An Introduction
to Special Education (12th Ed) Pearson: USA.

Heward, W. L., Alber-Morgan, S. R. & Konrad, M. (2017). Exceptional Children: An

Introduction to Special Education (11th Ed). Pearson: USA.

Gargiulo, R.M. & Bouck, E. C. (2018). Special Education in Contemporary society: An

Introduction to Exceptionality (6th Ed). Sage Publications: USA

Tyler, N. C. & Deborah, D. S. (2010). Introduction to special Education: Making a difference

(7th Ed). Pearson: USA

Zager, D., Cihak, D.F. & Macdonald, A.S. (2017). Autism Spectrum disorder: Identification,
Education & Treatment. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group: USA