The document discusses the characteristics and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder including difficulties with social skills, communication, sensory processing, and attention. It also outlines common interventions for autism such as applied behavioral analysis therapy, visual supports, motor planning training, and in some cases biomedical interventions prescribed by doctors. Overall the document provides an overview of the peculiarities and treatments associated with autism spectrum disorder.

1. Autism Spectrum
Disorder: Peculiar
Characteristics
• Resistance to change, Insistence on
sameness
• Strong attachments to objects; Spins
objects
• Difficulty in mixing with others
• Throw Temper Tantrums
• Tend not to want to cuddle or be
cuddled
• Over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to
pain
• No fears of danger

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Sensory Processing
• Painfully sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, and smells.
• Either too sensitive or less sensitive to sensory stimuli. Some have difficulty interpreting
sensory information.
• Some avoid being touched, a gentle touch for most, will hurt or shock children with
autism.
• Some are insensitive to pain, and fail to notice injuries.

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Emotions
• Take major emergencies lightly but become upset over minor disruption.
• Unemotional, but can be very emotional when things are important to them.
• May exaggerate the expression of certain emotions, when they express.
• Usually, have difficulty regulating their emotions. Will have verbal outburst,
usually in overwhelming environment.

4. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication
• Problem with all elements of language: Semantics, Syntax, and pragmatics
• Repeating statements that have been heard (echolalia)
• Inability to understand body language, tone of voice
• Few children with autism are mute

5. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication
cont’d
• Difficulty in sustaining a conversation.
• Tend to go on with their favorite subjects and do not give the other person a
chance to talk. No turn taking.
• People with autism might stand too close or too far from to the other person.
• Body language, facial expressions, and gestures do not match what they are
saying.

6. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Attention
• Trouble handling multiple stimuli of attention.
• Very narrow focused attention, can not keep up with more than
one thing at a time.
• Shifting attention is a slow process, usually involves pauses or
moments of delay.

7. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Productivity
• Great deal of variability among individuals with autism
• Some may never learn to talk and stay dependent throughout their lives.
• Others may do well in special supportive settings, working in a sheltered
environment.
• There are individuals with autism that are fully independent and function
fairly well.

8. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Interventions
Intensive Early Intervention: Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)-
• A highly structured program
• Focuses on language and life skills in the child’s natural environment.
• The methodology is behavioral with emphasis on small chunks
• Lots of rewards
• Implemented by specialized behavior therapists or special education teachers certified in
ABA
• Better results are when ABA is applied in collaboration with the regular education teacher
in an inclusive classroom

9. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Interventions
• Visual Support: Example,
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PEC) use of symbols and signs
instead of speech to support communication as presented in the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVFhNBDWRtw
• Augmentative and alternative communication such as sign language as
presented in the video Ava sings the ABC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izNjpkI3dJE , Heimerl, S. et al (2016)
P. 35 http://www.cdd.unm.edu/ecep

10. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Interventions
Motor Planning Training
• Motor actions are planned in advance of the intended goal. Example of
motor actions:
• •Gripping a spoon and avoiding an awkward hand position
• •Climbing in and out of a car seat
• •Putting on a jacket
In Children with autism such motor actions do not develop to become
spontaneous without intentional intensive training

11. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Interventions
Motor Planning Training
• Meaning and examples: PP. 4 – 12; pp. 38 - 41 Heimerl et al (2016) – pdf document
• Motor planning activities to improve sensory – motor coordination: pp. 44 – 63 Heimerl
et al (2016)
• Videos on Motor Planning Training: pp. 64 – 68 Heimerl et al (2016).
• Reference:
Heimerl, S.; Lopez, S.; Medlock, A.; McLaughlin, M. & Zafran,D. (2016). Understanding Motor
Planning Deficits in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
http://www.cdd.unm.edu/ecep

12. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Interventions
Biomedical Interventions
- Vitamins, e.g B12, Folic Acid
- Medications to control the
function of the nervous system
- Biomedical interventions are
prescribed when needed only and
only by medical doctors such as
Psychiatrists and Neurologists.