Chapter 8

Question 1

Autism spectrum disorders

Answer 1

are pervasive developmental disorders that primary affect social interactions, language, and behaviour

Question 2

Identifying Autism

Answer 2

Just as autism is hard to define, children with autism are difficult to identify
Early identification has been highlighted with the changes in the DSM-5 (APA, 2013) indicating “individuals with ASD must show symptoms from early childhood, even if those symptoms are not recognized until later” (APA, 2013b, p. 1).
Key characteristics for earliest detection have been identified in the literature (e.g., lack of eye contact, limited social skills, differences in motoric characteristics)

Question 3

What Causes Autism

Answer 3

No single specific cause

An organic disorder (e.g., may be caused by brain damage, genetic links, and complications during pregnancy)

Most accepted models suggest a combination of a genetic base influenced by environmental events (i.e., toxins)

Question 4

Characteristics of Autism

Answer 4

Vary significantly individual to individual
Typically have great difficulty:
Relating to other people
Making eye contact
Communicating
Self-esteem and self-concept problems are common in individuals with Asperger syndrome
In some cases, children may display splinter skills (i.e., areas of giftedness

Question 5

Four key educational goals for students with ASD are to:

Answer 5

Develop basic language and social skills
Provide academic instruction consistent with cognitive level
Teach functional skills for post-school success
Tie instruction to parental education (i.e., encompass behavioural interventions to enhance social and functional skills)

Question 6

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Answer 6

“An umbrella term [not a diagnostic term] used to refer to the damage or range of disabilities caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy” (Saskatchewan Learning, 2004)
Lifelong conditions

Question 7

Disorders included under the umbrella term of FASD include

Answer 7

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS)
Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)
Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND)

Question 8

Characteristics of FASD

Answer 8

Individuals demonstrate diverse physical, health, academic, and learning characteristics
Primary disabilities
Disabilities a child is born with that are the result of brain damage caused by alcohol (e.g., visual and/or hearing impairments, memory difficulties, impulse control)