This document provides an overview of autism, including:
- The history of autism diagnosis beginning in 1911.
- How autism is diagnosed today through assessments of communication, social interaction, and restricted behaviors.
- Common early signs include loss of language skills and lack of gestures.
- Autism is more common than previously believed, affecting around 1 in 88 children.
- There are many theories for what causes autism but no single agreed upon reason; genes and environmental factors may play a role.
2. The Modern Autism
• Leo Kanner and Hans
Aspergers
• This was the first time
the term was used with
a child that would now
be considered autistic.
• First used in 1911 with
schizophrenia
3. How it is diagnosed
• Autism diagnostic
observation schedule.
• Three main things they
look for.
• There are also some
early warning signs.
4. Early warning signs
• Any loss of language at
any time.
• There is no babbling or
gesturing by the age of
12 months.
• Not using two-word
phrases by 24 months.
5. How common it is
• Once thought to be rare • Estimated that 2 million
now known as fairly people in the U.S have
common. the disorder and tens or
• 1 in 88 children are millions worldwide.
estimated to have • Could be going up.
autism. • Affect males more then
• More common then females at a 4 or 5 to 1
people think. ratio.
6. Why is occurs
• There have been many
theories on why the
disorder occurs.
• Not just one reason.
• Genes
• Other theories
• MMR vaccine
7. The different types
• Autistic disorder (classic
autism)
• Asperger syndrome
• Pervasive
Developmental Disorder
– Not Otherwise
Specified (PDD-NOS)
8. Famous people with autism
• Daniel Tammet
• Kim Peek (The real
Rain man)
• Stephen Wiltshire
• Thomas Fuller
9. Some websites where you can learn
more.
• Autism speaks
• A place to raise
awareness about the
disorder.
• The CDC
• The American speech-
language hearing
association.
10. Resources
• Pasco, G. (2010). Identification and diagnosis of • (2010, 10). Centers for Disease Control and
autism spectrum disorders: An Prevention. CDC - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDs)
• update. Pediatric Health, 4(1), 107-114. doi: • NCBDDD. Retrieved March 20, 2013, from
http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/phe.09.64 http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
• Zwaigenbaum, L. (2009, Autism AND • (2010, 15). Home | Autism Speaks. What Is Autism?
immunization. Family Health, 25, 27-27,29. | | Autism Speaks. Retrieved March 25,
Retrieved from • 2013, from http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-
• http://search.proquest.com/docview/222652149?a autism
ccountid=33851 • (2009, 15). American Speech-Language-Hearing
• Volkmar, F. R., & Pauls, D. (2003). Autism. The Association | ASHA. Autism - Autism Spectrum
Lancet, 362(9390), 1133-41. Retrieved from • Disorders. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from
• http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Autis
http://search.proquest.com/docview/199046910?a m.htm
ccountid=33851 • Chantal , S. (2004). Autism Spectrum disorders: The
• Ray-Mihm, R. (2008). Autism: Part II. genetics, complete guide to understanding Autism,
diagnosis, and treatment. The Journal of • Asperger's syndrome, Pervasive developmental
• Continuing Education in Nursing,39(3), 102-3. disorder, and other ASDs.
Retrieved from • Kathleen , B. (2011). Children with special needs
http://search.proquest.com/docview/223313610?a . The developing person through the life cycle
ccountid=33851 • (pp. 313-31). New York : Worth Publishers .
• Ruble, L. A., & Akshoomoff, N. (2010). Autism
spectrum disorders: Identification and diagnosis.
Bethesda, Bethesda: Retrieved from
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