Autism Spectrum Disorders

history of autism
eugen bleuler
autism =
temporary schizophrenia
resisted contact with the social world
delusional thinking
withdrawal into fantasy life
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

history of autism
resistance when held by parents
extreme fear reaction / noise
specific food preferences
normal physical appearance
excellent rote memory (?)
maintenance of sameness
mute / echolalia
not spontaneous
extreme aloneness
atypical play behaviors
inability 2 relate 2 others ocd-like behaviors
repetitive physical movements
leo kanner

history of autism
Hans Asperger
“little professors”
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

history of autism
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

autism spectrum disorders
Autism
Asperger Syndrome
Rett Syndrome
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Pdd-nos
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

6 items: delays
DSM criteria
6 items: social interactions
eye contact
not accounted by rett disorder facial expression
not accounted by childhood disintegrative disorder
body posture / gesture
lack spontaneous seek shared interest
lack social/emotional reciprocity
atypical social interaction
language/symbolic/imaginative play
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

Autism
IDEiA
is a
developmental
disability affecting
verbal and nonverbal
communication and
social interaction,
generally before age
3, that adversely
affects a child’s
performance.
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.
1990

autism diagnosis
spectrum
screen 18 /24m
lengthy diagnosis
no 1 test
no single cause
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

autism prevalence
1 in 150
race? (no! seen across all ethnic/cultural groups)
gender? (yes! More boys than girls)
atlanta
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

autism
why?
prevalence
thimerosal
measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
preventable?
expanded criteria
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

autism characteristicscommunication
cognitive functioning
social interactions
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

autism characteristics
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

autism characteristics
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

teaching strategies
environment to fit the student
specific limits
immediate feedback
eye contact (when possible)
combined strategies
games teach skills
high structure
visual cues
spectrum
gear to interests
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

behavior strategies
“One of the characteristics of fad
treatments is that they are
discussed in the media and on the
internet, where many parents can be
exposed to them,” (Snow)
fad treatment
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

behavior strategies
discrete trial:
Direction, behavior, consequence
FBA
ABA
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

Lagniappe abstract
avoid vague questions
uneven skills
don’t take it personal
they don’t manipulate
avoid vague questions
behavior to survive
be literal
avoid verbal overload
assume nothing when assessing
skills
Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.

Presented by: Brent Daigle, Ph.D.