What is autism, characteristics, assessments, educational approaches, and resources

1. In elementary students
Megan Telles

2. What is Autism?
 Autism is defined as a pervasive developmental
disorder marked by three defining features with onset
before age 3:
 (a) impairment of social interaction; (b) impairment
of communication; and (c) restricted, repetitive, and
stereotypic patterns of behavior, interests, and
activities.
 Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with no
medical or physiological marker. Current research
links autism to three possible theories:
neuropathology, genetic inheritance, an
environmental toxins that invade the central nervous
system.

3. Identification
 Children with autism begin to show unique
characteristics in early childhood. Some of these
characteristics are non-typical social interactions
including an inability to relate to the emotional
state of others, expressing emotions, or a
disinterest in interaction with others.

4. Characteristics
• Children with autism tend to have restricted and or repetitive
behaviors. Some of these behaviors include spending an
unusual amount of time engaged in solitary activities such as
lining up toys, staring at lights, or spinning objects. Children
with autism also tend to like routines and can become very
upset if their routine is changed.
• Another characteristic of autism is a child showing unusual
responses to sensory items. Some children might be over
sensitive to the feeling of clothes, water, or items on their hands.
• They may also have extremely limited diets and only eat food
that is a certain color or have a certain texture.
• On the other end a child with autism may be under sensitive to
stimulation and appear to not feel or react to stimuli that others
would such as a diminished feeling of pain or show
unresponsiveness to certain sounds.

5. Speech and Communication
 Another characteristic of autism is the delay of
communication and language skills. About half of
children with autism are mute and another large
number of children speak with echolalia which is
repeating what they have heard verbatim or
repeating phrases that are not relevant to their
current environment.

6. Assessment
 Autism can be reliably diagnosed at 18 months. If
parents or caregivers have concern that their child
shows characteristics of autism a qualified medical
professional (pediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist, or
psychologist) that specializes in autism can determine
if a child meets diagnosis requirements for autism.
 There are a variety of assessments that can be used to
diagnosis autism including the Checklist for Autism in
Toddlers (CHAT), Social Communication
Questionnaire (SCQ), and the Autism Spectrum
Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)

7. Educational Approaches
 Children with autism can be very difficult to teach because
they tend to focus on irrelevant stimuli and do not respond
to typical instructional methods or reinforcements.
• Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) has helped
some children with autism develop communication,
language, and social skills so much so that they are able to
participate in a general education classroom.
• Another educational approach that has been successful for
children with autism is the use of Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA). ABA provides a scientific approach to
designing, conducting, and evaluating, instruction based
on empirically verified principles. ABA uses behavioral
principles such as positive reinforcement to teach children
skills in a planned, systematic manner (Heward 253).
Heward, W. L. (2016). Exceptional children: An introduction to
special education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

8. Local Resources in Southwest Louisiana
• St. Nicholas Center
 Provides ABA, Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy
 2519 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601
 (337) 491-0800
 http://stnickcenter.org/
• McNeese Autism Program
 Services include intensive early interventions, problematic behavior clinics, social skills groups,
language training, pediatric feeding problem interventions, and family training
 205 Ryan Street, Lake Charles LA 70601
 337-475-5000
 https://www.mcneese.edu/autism
• Autism Society of SWLA
 The Autism Society promotes the active and informed involvement of family members and the
individual with autism in the planning of individualized, appropriate services and supports.
 http://autismsocietyswla.com/
 337-855-2068

9. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2016/
04/6-must-watch-ted-talks-on-autism.html

10. Hope
 Although there is still much
to learn about autism and
these students have difficulty
learning in traditional
classrooms it is paramount
that teachers and parents
understand that students
with autism are capable of
learning and have their own
individual talents and
personalities. Many people
with autims are able find
employment create personal
relationships and lead
fulfilling lives.