Autism Flashcards
What is autism?
difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours, is not a single disorder, but a spectrum of closely-related disorders with a shared core of symptoms
Symptoms of autism
Everyone on the autism spectrum has problems, to some degree, with social skills, empathy, communication, and flexible behaviour. But the level of disability and the combination of symptoms vary tremendously from person to person. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulty in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances.
When do symptoms of autism emerge?
Everyone on the autism spectrum has problems, to some degree, with social skills, empathy, communication, and flexible behaviour. But the level of disability and the combination of symptoms vary tremendously from person to person. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulty in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances.
How common is autism
Autism statistics from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention identify 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum, a ten-fold increase in 40 years. This increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Autism is 4 to 5 times more common in boys than girls. Approximately 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 89 girls are diagnosed with autism in the US.
ASD affects over 3 million individuals in the SU and tens of millions worldwide. Statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17% annually in recent years.
Causes of autism
The cause of autism is not known. Research suggests that autism is a genetic condition. It is believed that several genes are involved in its development. Research has found a variety of abnormalities in the brain structure and chemicals in the brain. Scientists have identified a number of rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism.
Prenatal factors that contribute to autism
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy, especially in the first 3 months
Nutritional deficiencies early in pregnancy, particularly, not getting enough frolic acid
Advanced parental age at the time of conception
Complications at or shortly after birth, including low birth weight and neonatal anemia
Maternal infections during pregnancy
Exposure to chemical pollutants – metals and pesticides
What does it mean to be on the spectrum
Each individual with autism is unique. Many on the autism spectrum have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music and academic skills. About 40% have average to above average intellectual abiltise. Others with autism have significant disability and are unable to live independently. About 25% of individuals with ASD are nonverbal but can communicate using other means.
Autism speaks
The mission of this International NGO is to improve the lives of all those on the autism spectrum. For some, this means the development and delivery of more effective treatments that can address significant challenges in communication and physical health. For others, it means increasing acceptance, respect and support.
How is your autism diagnosed?
There is no medical test that can diagnose autism. Instead, specially trained doctors and psychologists administer autism-specific behavioural evaluations. Often parents are the first to notice that their child is showing unusual behaviours such as failing to make eye contact, not responding to his or her name or playing with toys in unusual, repetitive ways.
Steps in diagnosing autism
From birth to at least 36 months of age, every child should be screened for developmental milestones during routine well visits. When such screening raises concerns about the child’s development, the doctor should refer the child to a specialist in developmental evaluation and early intervention. These evaluations should include hearing and lead exposure tests and autism-specific screening.
Symptoms of autism
Doesn’t make eye contact, eg. When being fed
Doesn’t smile when smiled at
Doesn’t respond to his name or to the sound of a familiar voice
Doesn’t follow objects visually
Doesn’t point or wave goodbye or use other gestures of communication
Doesn’t make noises to get attention
Doesn’t follow the gesture when you point things out
Doesn’t initiate or respond to cuddling
Doesn’t imitate your movements and facial expression
Doesn’t reach out to be picked up
Doesn’t play with others or share interest and enjoyment
Refer to themselves in the third person
Use language incorrectly – grammatical errors, wrong words
Have difficulties communicating needs or desires
Do not understand simple directions, statements, or questions
Take what is said too literally( misses undertone of humour, irony and sarcasm
Spend long periods of time arranging toys in specific ways, watching moving objects such as a ceiling fan, or focusing on one specific part of an object such as the wheels of a toy car.
Repeat the same actions or movements over and over again, such as flapping hands, rocking, or twirling (known as self-stimulatory behaviour or “stimming” It is believed by researchers that such behaviours soothe rather than stimulate autistic children.
Preoccupation with a narrow topic of interest, often involving numbers or symbols (memorizing and reciting facts about maps, train schedules, or sports statistics).
Autism Social Challenges
Most children who develop autism have difficulty engaging in the give-and- take of everyday human interaction. Most infants show symptoms such as failure to respond to their names, reduced interest in people and delayed babbling. By toddlerhood, they have difficulty playing social games, don’t imitate others and prefer to play alone. Research suggests that children with ASD are attached to their parents but in unusual ways that parents feel their child is disconnected. Both children and adults with ASD also tend to have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking and feeling. Subtle social cues – a smile, wave or grimace may convey little meaning. Without the ability to interpret gestures and facial expressions, the social world can seem bewildering. It is common for those with autism to have difficulty regulating emotions. This can take the form of seemingly immature behavior such as crying or having outbursts in inappropriate situations. This can lead to disruptive and physically aggressive behaviour. The tendency to “lose control” may be particularly pronounced in unfamiliar, overwhelming or frustrating situations. Frustration can also result in self-injurious behaviour – head banging, hair pulling or self-biting.
Autism Communication Difficulties
Children with autism tend to be delayed in babbling and speaking and learning to use gestures. Some infants who later develop autism, coo and babble during the first few months of life before losing these communicative behaviours. Others experience significant language delays and don’t begin to speak until much later. With therapy, most people with autism learn to use spoken language and all can learn to communicate. Many non-verbals or nearly nonverbal children and adults learn to use communication systems such as pictures, sign language, electronic word processors or even speech-generating devices. When language begins to develop, a person with ASD may use speech in unusual ways. Some have difficulty combining words into meaningful sentences. They may only speak single words or repeat the same phrase over and over. Some repeat what they hear verbatim
Autism Communication Difficulties Pt 2
Another common difficulty is the inability to understand body language, tone of voice and expressions that aren’t to be taken literally. Conversely, people with ASD may not exhibit typical body language. Facial expressions, movements and gestures may not match what they are saying. Their tone of voice may fail to reflect their feelings. Some use high-pitched sing-song or a flat, robot-like voice. This can make it difficult for others to know what they want or need. This failed communication can in turn, lead to frustration and inappropriate behaviour, such as screaming or grabbing, on the part of the person with autism.
Autism Repetitive Behaviours
Unusual repetitive behaviors and/or a tendency to engage in a restricted range of activities are another core symptom of autism. Such behaviours include hand-flapping, rocking, jumping and twirling, arranging and rearranging objects, and repeating words, sounds or phrases. Sometimes these behaviours are self-stimulating, eg. Wiggling fingers in front of the eyes. Some ASD children spend hors lining up toys in a specific way instead of using them for pretend play. Some adults are preoccupied with having household or other objects in a fixed order or place. It can prove extremely upsetting if someone or something disrupts the order. Many people with ASD need and demand extreme consistency in their environment and daily routine. Slight changes can lead to extreme stress and outbursts.
