Assignment 4: Disability Project for Human Exceptionality

1. Assignment 4: Disability Project
By Genevieve Griffith

2. Part I: Chapter 13 Summary:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
 Ideas about ASD have changed greatly
since it was first identified in the 1940’s. It
is currently being rethought and redefined.
 Today, ASD is considered to be a
diagnostic category, or spectrum, with a
continuum of mild to profound
symptoms/behaviors.

3. ASD usually includes:
 significant differences in communication
 deficits in social skills and interactions
 fixated interests and repetitive behaviors
 sensitive sensory input
 a range of symptoms/behaviors
 symptoms that usually appear during
preschool years

4. Interesting Facts
1. Applied Behavior Analysis, TEACCH, YAP
and the Pyramid Approach are proven
approaches for instructional interventions for
those with ASD.
2. Picture Exchange System (PECS) helps
students struggling with functional
communication skills through using pictures.
It is the only augmentative and alternative
communication (ACC) system that teaches
students to initiate communication.

5. Interesting Facts (cont.)
3. ASD can impact individuals and their
family in many ways. Individuals may
have limited opportunities due to other’s
negative perceptions. Families often
struggle to find resources, advocates, and
supports.

6. Interesting Facts (cont.)
4. The APA no longer considers autism,
Asperger syndrome, or other disorders
that share symptoms/characteristics as
separate conditions.
5. According to the CDC, ASD is growing at
alarming rates. It’s grown 78% between
2002 and 2008 (although a number of
factors could contribute to this).

7. Part II: Organization Review
https://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us

8. About Autism Speaks
 Autism Speaks is an organization
dedicated to promoting solutions, across
the spectrum and throughout the lifespan,
for the needs of individuals with ASD and
their families.
 They accomplish this through advocacy
and support, increasing understanding
and acceptance of ASD, and advancing
research into causes and better
interventions.

9. History
 Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Bob
and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child
with autism. Bernie Marcus donated $25
million to help launch the organization.
 3 leading autism organizations, ACRE, NAAR
& CAN, merged with Autism Speaks to make
advancements in the ASD community.

10. Advocacy and Support
 Autism Speaks provides a Resource
Locator, 100 Day Kit, and links to Autism
Response Teams, community outreach,
grants, technological apps, and events on
their website.
 In addition, Autism Speaks is active in
pursuing legislative initiatives to help the
ASD community.

11. Increasing Understanding
 Autism Speaks increases awareness and
understanding through a number of ways:
 Informative and fundraising events
 Professional development opportunities
 Articles and stories
 Public health initiatives

12. Research
 Autism Speaks researches, and partners
with researchers, to better understand
ASD & approaches to help the ASD
community.
 They produce reports, attend research
conferences, & stay abreast of findings.