Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. ASD begins before age three and affects each person differently, with a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe. While the specific causes of ASD are unknown, genetic factors likely play a role. Early diagnosis and treatment, especially intensive behavioral therapy, can help children with ASD develop important skills.

1. Autism Spectrum
Disorder
By
Aijaz Abdullah

2. Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural
development characterized by
impaired social interaction and
communication, and by restricted and
repetitive behavior. These signs all
begin before a child is three years old

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
1. ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder
and can sometimes be referred to as Autistic
Spectrum Disorder. ASDs are any
developmental disabilities that have been
caused by a brain abnormality. A person with
an ASD typically has difficulty with social and
communication skills.

4. Autism is a wide-spectrum disorder
Autism (or ASD) is a wide-spectrum disorder.
This means that no two people with autism will
have exactly the same symptoms. As well as
experiencing varying combinations of
symptoms, some people will have mild
symptoms while others will have severe ones.

5. Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• The term pervasive
developmental disorders
(PDDs) refers to a group of
developmental conditions that
involve delayed or impaired
communication and social
skills, behaviors, and cognitive
skills (learning).

6. HISTORY • It was Dr. Leo Kanner, a
psychiatrist at John Hopkins
University, who applied this
term “AUTISM” for the first
time in 1943

7. Characteristics of Autism:-
• People with Autism fail to Develop Interpersonal
relationships
• They show gross impairment in communication
ability. Approximately 50% of such children do
not develop meaningful verbal language
• They exhibit strange/bizarre responses to
various environmental stimuli like
Light, Sound, Touch And Pain
Cont

8. Cont.
• They indulge in stereotypical, self
stimulatory, repetitive behaviors, like body
rocking, hand flapping and meaningless
vocalizations
• They have abnormal play patters.
• Show unusual attachments to objects
• Shows a lack of empathy
• Prefers to spend time alone, rather than with
others

9. Cont.
• May not respond to eye contact or smiles, or may
avoid eye contact
• May treat others as if they are objects
• "Acts up" with intense tantrums
• Shows aggression to others or self

11. CAUSES
• Autism is a physical condition linked
to abnormal biology and chemistry in
the brain. The exact causes of these
abnormalities remain unknown, but
this is a very active area of research.
There are probably a combination of
factors that lead to autism.

12. Probable Factors
• Genetic factors seem to be important. For
example, identical twins are much more likely
than fraternal twins or siblings to both have
autism. Similarly, language abnormalities are
more common in relatives of autistic children.
Chromosomal abnormalities and other nervous
system (neurological) problems are also more
common in families with autism.
Cont

13. Cont.
• A number of other possible causes have been
suspected, but not proven. They involve:
• Diet
• Digestive tract changes
• Mercury poisoning
• The body's inability to properly use vitamins and
minerals

14. PREVELANCE
• The exact number of children with autism is not
known. A report released by the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests
that autism and related disorders are more
common than previously thought. It is unclear
whether this is due to an increasing rate of the
illness or an increased ability to diagnose the
illness.

16. Other pervasive developmental
disorders
Asperger syndrome (like autism, but with
normal language development)
Rett syndrome (very different from autism, and
only occurs in females)
Childhood disintegrative disorder (rare
condition where a child learns skills, then loses
them by age 10)

17. Signs and Tests
• All children should have routine developmental
exams done by their pediatrician. Further testing
may be needed if the doctor or parents are
concerned.

18. This is particularly true if a child
fails to meet any of the following
language milestones:
• Babbling by 12 months
• Gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye) by 12
months
• Saying single words by 16 months
• Saying two-word spontaneous phrases by 24
months (not just echoing)
• Losing any language or social skills at any age

19. TESTS
• Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R)
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
(ADOS)
• Childhood Autism rating Scale (CARS)
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening
Test - Stage 3

20. Treatment
• An early, intensive, appropriate treatment
program will greatly improve the outlook for
most young children with autism. Most
programs will build on the interests of the child
in a highly structured schedule of constructive
activities. Visual aids are often helpful.

21. Therapies
• Treatment is most successful when it is geared
toward the child's particular needs. An experienced
specialist or team should design the program for the
individual child. A variety of therapies are
available, including:
• Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
• Medications
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech-language therapy