Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. It is diagnosed based on observations of these characteristics. There are different types of autism that vary in symptoms and severity. While the specific causes are unknown, autism is generally thought to involve abnormalities in brain development and genetics. Therapies aim to help those with autism improve communication, social, and life skills.

2. What is Autism?
Autism is a complex neurological disorder characterized by
troubles with social interaction and communication, and by
restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice signs
in the first two or three years of their child's life.
Children with autism have trouble communicating. They have
trouble understanding what other people think and feel. This
makes it very hard for them to
express themselves either with words or through gestures,
facial expressions, and touch.

4. Types of Autism
There are three different types of Autism Spectrum Disorders:
• Autistic Disorder (also called "classic" autism) This is what most
people think of when hearing the word "autism." ...
• Asperger Syndrome. ...
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified
(PDD-NOS; also called "atypical autism")
• Rett’s disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

5. 1. Autistic Disorder
• Impairments in social interaction,
communication, and imaginative play.
• Apparent before age 3.
• Also includes stereotyped behaviors,
interests, and activities

6. 2. Asperger’s Disorder
• Impairments in social interactions, and presence of
restricted interests and activities
• No clinically significant general delay in language
• Average to above average intelligence

7. 3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not
Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
• Often referred to as atypical autism
• Used when a child does not meet the criteria for a specific
diagnosis, but there is severe and pervasive impairment in
specified behaviors

8. 4. Rett’s Disorder
• Progressive disorder which, to date, has only occurred in
girls.
• Period of normal development and then the loss of
previously acquired skills
• Also loss of purposeful use of hands, which is replaced by
repetitive hand movements
• Beginning at age of 1-4 years

11. 5. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

12. Conclusions on Types
• Autism is a spectrum disorder
• This means that symptoms and characteristics can present
themselves in wide variety of combinations, from mild to
severe
• Autistic individuals can be very different from each other
• “Autism” is still commonly used to refer to any of the 5
PDDs

13. What causes Autism?
• There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally
accepted that it is caused by ‘abnormalities’ in ‘brain structure’ or
‘function’.
• Researchers have not yet identified a single ‘trigger’ that causes
autism to develop.
• Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 88 births.
• Only 56% of students with autism finish high school.
• Good agreement in general that autism is caused by abnormalities
in brain development, neurochemistry, and genetic factors

14. How is Autism Diagnosed?
• No definitive medical test
• Team uses interviews, observation, and specific checklists
developed for this purpose.
• Team might include neurologist, psychologist,
developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist,
learning consultant, etc.
• Must rule out MR, hearing impairment, behavior disorders,
or eccentric habits

15. CHARACTERISTICS
• 1. Communication/Language
• 2. Social Interaction
• 3. Behaviors
• 4. Sensory and movement disorders
• 5. Resistance to change (predictability)
• 6. Intellectual functioning

16. 1. Communication/language
• Broad range of abilities, from no verbal communication to quite
complex skills
• Two common impairments:
A. Delayed language :
• Difficulty in conversing easily with others.
• Difficulty in shifting topics.
• Look away; poor eye contact
B. Echolalia :
• Repetition of another person’s spoken word, like how a child
repeats for learning to talk.

17. 2. Social Interaction
• One of hallmarks of autism is lack of social interaction
• 1. Impaired use of nonverbal behavior
• 2. Lack of peer relationships
• 3. Failure to spontaneously share enjoyment, interests,
etc. with others
• 4. Lack of reciprocity

18. 3. Behaviours
• Repetitive behaviors, including obsessions, tics, and
perseveration
• Impeding behaviors (impede their learning or the learning
of others)
• Will need positive behavior supports
• A. Self-injurious behavior
• B. Aggression

19. 4. Sensory and movement disorders
• Very common
• Over- or under-sensitive to sensory stimuli
• Abnormal posture and movements of the face, head,
trunk, and limbs
• Abnormal eye movements
• Repeated gestures and mannerisms
• Movement disorders can be detected very
early – perhaps at birth

20. 5. Predictability
• Change in routine is very stressful
• May insist on particular furniture arrangement, food at
meals, TV shows
• Symmetry is often important
• Interventions need to focus on preparing students for
change if possible

21. 6. Intellectual functioning
• Autism occurs in children of all levels of intelligence, from those who
are gifted to those who have mental retardation
• In general, majority of individuals with autism are also identified as
having mental retardation – 75% below 70
• Verbal and reasoning skills are difficult
• Savant syndrome :
Savant syndrome is a condition in which someone with significant
mental disabilities demonstrates certain abilities far in excess of
average. The skills at which savants excel are generally related to
memory. This may include rapid calculation, artistic ability, map
making, or musical ability.

22. Therapy?
1. Occupational therapy :
These activities help children with autism get better at everyday tasks,
like learning to button a shirt or hold a fork properly. But it can involve
anything related to school, work or play. The focus depends on the child’s
needs and goals.
2. Speech therapy :
this helps the children with speaking as well as communicating and
interacting with others. It can involve non-verbal skills, like making eye-
contact, taking turns in a conversation, and using and understanding
gestures. It might also teach kids to express themselves using picture
symbols, sign language, or computers.
3. Social skills classes :
the aim is to improve how a child interacts socially and forms bonds
with others. This usually means learning through role playing or practise.
classes are often led by a therapist.
And many more ways….

24. • The one most famous example is ‘ The good Doctor’
• The Good Doctor is an American medical drama television series based
on the 2013 award-winning South Korean series of the same name.
• Freddie Highmore as Shaun Murphy, as a young savant autistic surgical
resident at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.