2. . “Autism is a developmental disorder
characterized by impairments in social,
communication, and language functioning,
and a restricted range of behaviors and
interests”(Dawson and Sterling 137).
Those with Autism vary in their symptoms
and the severity of those symptoms.
What is Autism?!
3. These children usually use repetition with the
everyday activities, such as replaying a certain
part of a song over and over because they like to
hear just that one part of the song, or watching
a movie over and over again because they love it
so much. This behavior is common amongst
children with Autism and continues throughout
their life. “Self-injury behavior (SIB), and
aggressive behavior are very common among
individual’s with autism pervasive developmental
disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)”
(Canitano 18-28).
Symptoms
4. Significant problems developing nonverbal communication
skills, such as eye-to-eye gazing, facial expressions, and
body posture.
Lack of empathy. People with autism may have difficulty
understanding another person's feelings, such as pain or
sorrow.
Delay in, or lack of, learning to talk. As many as 40% of
people with autism never speak.
Stereotyped and repetitive use of language. People with
autism often repeat over and over a phrase they have
heard previously (echolalia).
A need for sameness and routines. For example, a child
with autism may always need to eat bread before salad
and insist on driving the same route every day to school.
Symptoms
5. “Autism spectrum disorder is a
heterogeneous, behaviorally defined,
neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs
in 1 in 150 children”(Amaral, Schumann,
&Nordahl, 2008).
6. While there is no known cure for autism, there
are treatment and education approaches that
may reduce some of the challenges associated
with the condition. (Autism-Society)
Treatments can divided into Nonmedical
Interventions , which include behavioral and
educational approaches as well as sensory,
communication and other interventions, and
Biomedical Treatments, which include
modifications in diet, addition of vitamins and
minerals, gut treatments, immune system
regulations and others. (Autism-Society)
Treatment
7. Autism Society - Treatment Options. (n.d.). Autism
Society - Homepage. Retrieved October 26, 2011,
from http://www.autism-society.org/living-with-
autism/treatment-options/
Autism Symptoms in Children & Adults - WebMD.
(n.d.). WebMD - Better Information. Better Health.
Retrieved October 26, 2011, from
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-
symptoms
Dawson, G., & Sterling, L. (2008). Autism spectrum
disorders. Encyclopedia of Infant and Early Childhood
Development, 137-143. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/scie
nce/article/pii/B9780123708779000165
References
