Autistic disorder is characterized by disturbances in social interactions and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. It is a severe pervasive developmental disorder starting in early childhood. While the exact causes are unknown, there is strong evidence for genetic factors. Diagnosis involves comprehensive evaluation and no biological tests. Treatment aims to advance normal development in cognition, language, and socialization through educational and behavioral interventions, as well as potentially medication for specific symptoms, though no cure currently exists.

1. AUTISTIC
DISORDER
By,
Abilittin James Benitto

2. Definition
Autistic disorder, also known as
childhood autism, infantile autism, or
early infantile autism, is by far the best
known of the pervasive developmental
disorders. characterized by
disturbances in social interactions,
language and communication, and the
presence of stereotyped behaviors and
interests.

3. “Qualitative impairment in social interaction,
communication, restricted repetitive and
stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest and
activities, delays in abnormal functioning”.
- DSM IV
“A pervasive developmental disorder
characterized by a total lack of responsiveness to
people, gross language developmental deficits or
distortions, bizarre responses to environmental
aspects e.g. resistance to change or peculiar
interest in an animate or inanimate object”.
- American Psychiatric Association,
(1980).

4. It is a severe pervasive disorder of emotions, speech and
behavior starting in early childhood after a brief period of
normal development.
Onset : Delays social interaction, language, or play by
age or abnormal functioning in 3 yr
Sex Ratio : Studies based on both clinical and
epidemiological samples have suggested a higher
incidence of autistic disorder in boys than in girls.
Prevalence: 1/1000

5. Etiology and Pathophysiology
Currently, the precise etiology and
pathogenesis of Autism is unknown, organic
brain insult is suggested.
Strong evidence for genetic bases for the
disorders.
The condition was always caused by a
“refrigerator” mother who was not responsive
to the child's emotional needs.
Removal of the child from the family.

6. Continue..
Studies of twins indicated high concordance,
especially for monozygotic twin pairs, with
reduced concordance for fraternal, or dizygotic,
same-sex twin pairs.
In families of approximately 2 to 3 percent of
autism among siblings.
prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal complications.
congenital rubella.

7. Features:
1. Inability to relate:
 No emotional interaction with people.
 Emotional responses to parents, strangers and
inanimate objects are the same.
 Gaze avoidance is a characteristics feature.

8. continuing
2. Language impairment:
 Interpersonal verbal communication is markedly
affected.
3. Preoccupation with certain objects and rituals
with resistance to change (e.g. the same food).

9. continuing
4. Other features:
Labile mood and non-specific anger and fear.
Overactivity and distractibility.
Disturbed sleep.
Varying degrees of mental retardation are
present in 75 % of cases.
Epilepsy may develop in adolescence in 20 – 25
% of severe cases.
Enuresis and encopresis may occur.

10. Social interaction
Qualitative least two interaction, as
manifested by at impairment in social of the
following:
• Marked impairment in the use of multiple
nonverbal behaviors (e.g. eye-to-eye gaze)
• Failure to develop peer relationships
appropriate to developmental level
• Lack of spontaneous seeking to share
enjoyment with other People.
• Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

11. Communication
Qualitative communication as manifested by at least
one of the impairments of following:
• Delay in, or total lack of, the development of
spoken language
• Marked impairment in initiating or sustaining a
conversation with others, in individuals with
adequate speech
• Stereotyped and repetitive use of language
• Lack of varied, spontaneous makebelieve, or
imitative play

12. Behavior
Restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior, as
manifested by one repetitive, and of the
following:
• Preoccupation with one or more stereotyped or
restricted patterns of interest
• Adherence to nonfunctional routines
• Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms
• Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

13. Mood and affect of the autistic children -
exhibit sudden mood changes with bursts of
laughing or crying for a no apparent reason .
Improper response to sensory stimuli -
Autistic children may be over responsive or
under responsive to sensory stimuli and mostly
they are deaf. Autistic children injure themselves
very severely and not cry, enjoy music and
vestibular stimulation such as spinning, swinging
and up and down movements.

14. Assessment and Differential
Diagnosis
There are no diagnostic laboratory tests for A D.
The diagnosis of Autism first involves
completing a comprehensive psychiatric
examination.
History
Particular attention to Developmental phases of
language, social interactions, play
Family history of psychiatric and neurological
disease

15. Physical examination
search for, Neurological problems, Cardiac
problems, Congenital anomalies, Skin lesions or
abnormalities, etc..
Psychological evaluation
Autism Diagnostic Interview-revised, Autism
Diagnostic Observation Schedule
Cognitive testing (e.g., Differential Abilities
Scales)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
Speech and language evaluation,Audiological
evaluation
Visual acuity evaluation

16. Course and Prognosis
Autistic disorder is a lifelong disability,
 Varies depending on several factors such as IQ,
language development, and early treatment.
 About 15 % can lead independent life.
 About 50 % can acquire some useful speech but
continue to have disturbed behaviour and cold
emotions.

17. Treatment
No specific treatment
Goals for Treatment
Advancement of normal development, particularly
regarding
cognition, language and socialization
Promotion of learning and problem solving
Reduction of behaviors that impede learning
Assistance of families coping with autistic
disorder

18. Psychosocial interventions
Educational
Curricula that target communication
Behavioral techniques
Structured milieu
Vocational interventions such as speech
training
other specialized and language therapy,
physical therapy and occupational therapy
Social skills training
Individual psychotherapy for high-functioning
individuals

19. Psychopharmacology
No pharmacological agent has proved
curative
Certain medications may be of benefit for
specific symptoms such as self-injury,
aggression, stereotyped movements, and over
activity.

20. THANK YOU
Presented
By
Abilittin James Benitto