Presentation of autism spectrum, research, neurodiversity and teaching methods

1. Garden Inc. Autism Proposal
Sarah Orr

2. Introduction
 Autism is a complex disorder and not every person
with autism is the same
 Scientific theories explain brain differences in
autism
 Debate on how society should treat people with
different minds
 Various methods to benefit Garden Inc.

3. What is autism?
 Group of complex neurological disorders
characterized by repetitive patterns and
difficulties with social communication
 Obsession over interests and rituals
 Problems initiating communication
 Likely caused by both genetics and environment

4. What makes autistic brains different?
 Researchers scanned 13 boys with autism and a
control group of non-autistic boys
 “White matter brain connections between brain
regions important for language and social skills
were growing slower in the boys with autism”
(UCLA,2015).

5. Premature births
 Babies born premature have a greater risk for
autism
 Karolinska Institute study examined babies with
magnetic resonance imaging during neonate
period
 Found diminished growth in parts of the brain
involved in social contact, empathy

6. Other factors

7. Neurodiversity

8. What is Neurodiversity?
 “The infinite variation in neurocognitive
functioning within our species” – Nick Walker
 Believes that conditions like Autism and ADHD are
normal variations of the mind
 Aims to raise awareness and acceptance of
individuals with neurological disabilities

9. Why is Neurodiversity important?
 Neurodiversity should not be considered a
handicap, rather society should be accepting of
the Neurodiverse population
 “The idea that there is one ‘normal’ or healthy
type of brain… is a socially constructed fiction”
 “No more valid than the idea that there is one
‘right’ race, ethnicity, gender, or culture”

10. What needs to be done?
 More research needs to be conducted to better
understand the autism spectrum
 More emphasis placed on accepting people with
autism, Asperger's, and other different ways of
thinking
 Individual issues need to be addressed and
appropriate treatment provided

11. Studies
 Study involving 33 teens with autism; observed by
researchers and parents
 Learned social niceties such as being a good host,
saying please and thank you, how to deal with bullying
etc.
 Another study observed 196 individuals with autism
aged 6 to 21 years
 Evidence showed improvement in social competence,
confidence interval, friendship quality

12. Garden Inc. Philosophy
 Cultivating independence within every stage of
development
 Creating interactive and nurturing experiences for
each individual
 Optimize individual’s strengths and improve areas
of challenge

13. PEERS group study
 PEERS training program benefits young adults with
autism
 Enrolled 22 participants, caregivers received training
 Focused on conventional skills, use of humor, handling
peer conflicts, entering and exiting conversations
 Those who completed the course had better outcomes
than those on a waitlist
 Adults with autism can improve “through an evidence-
based, caregiver-supported intervention” – Dr. Laugeson

14. Benefits to Garden Inc.
 Like with adults in the PEERS study, social groups can
be used for children and adolescents with autism
 Teach basic social skills, help clients learn how to ask
questions ex. “How are you?” “How is your day?”
 Explain how to maintain eye contact, take turns during
conversations, use appropriate gestures
 Include clients in conversations/roleplays

15. Alternative Methods
 Mentors can teach children and adolescents how to
be polite and use manners
 Expand on other topics such as personal hygiene,
learning how to fit in, being safe, etc.
 Teach clients how to dress appropriately for job
interviews, fill out resumes, manage money
 Teach importance of physical activity, good motor
coordination ex. tying shoes, handwriting

16. What’s next?
 Teaching children and adolescents with autism
basic social skills can help them “live their best
life.”
 Supporting them, helps as they grow into young
adults
 By understanding autism and related disabilities,
people can better appreciate individuals with
these disabilities

17. Quote
“The first step toward change is
awareness; the second step is
acceptance.” –Nathaniel Brandon,
American psychologist

18. Resources
 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151221095536.htm
 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141027182950.htm?trendmd-
shared=0
 http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/
 http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/autistic-brains-develop-more-slowly-215407
 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407174813.htm
 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150408085658.htm
 https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/social-skills-classes-
produce-lasting-benefits-adults-autism
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22786515

19. Resources (Pictures, philosophy)
http://www.gardencolorado.org/who-we-are/index.html
http://www.autismtopics.org/t28%20autism%20neurodiversity.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399624166916792917/
http://www.pdxqcenter.org/queer-voices-neurodiversity-sex-bringing-advocacy-
and-empowerment-sexual-health/
http://asiasociety.org/global-cities-education-network/teaching-best-practices-
around-world
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-things-children-with-
autism-want-tell-you.html