2 Pager: Autism

Question 1

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that has a range of conditions characterized by challenges with what?

Answer 1

social skills
repetitive behaviours
speech
nonverbal communication

Question 2

What are the behavioural symptoms of ASD?

Answer 2

social
communication
repetitive
motor
sensory overload
self-injurious
safety issues

Question 3

No cure, but medication can be taken to help with what?

Answer 3

depression
anxiety
ADHD
epilepsy

Question 4

Over ____ children in BC that have ASD. More common in what gender? What % increase since 2007?

Answer 4

11,000
5x more common in boy
78% inc since 2007

Question 5

What is one of the main activity limitations in kids with ASD?

Answer 5

lack of motor coordination for aimed limb movements - 80% of children show some degree of visual-motor integration deficits

Question 6

Individuals with autism are more likely to be _____

Answer 6

overweight - much less participation in activities because of several barriers

Question 7

Barriers to PA?

Answer 7

• lack of support and facilities and equipment and instructions
• families have lots of burdens, hard to prioritize the PA often

Question 8

4 Considerations for PA and programming for Autism?

Answer 8

1. Delayed motor abilities - make games less complex, add one rule at a time
2. Take language literally - choose words carefully
3. Atypical Sensory Response - reduce distractions and use familiar stimuli
4. Aversion to touch - don’t play contact games, use thumbs up instead of high 5’s

Question 9

Special organizations?

Answer 9

• Special Olympics
• Access 2 Card (free admission for support person)
• Victoria Therapeutic RIding Association