Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication. The document discusses the increasing rates of autism diagnosis, signs and risk factors. It notes that autism affects males more often than females and has no ethnic boundaries. Early intervention and treatments like music therapy can help improve social behaviors and communication for children with autism.

1. Problem of Autism in children:
status quo and recent research

3. Autism
Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most
common condition in a group of developmental disorders known
as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
 ASDs are characterized by impairments in social interaction,
communication and repetitive behaviors.
 ASDs include mainly
Asperger syndrome,
Rett syndrome,
Childhood disintegrative disorder, and
Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).

4. Autism
 A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then
withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement.
 Children with autism may fail to respond to their names and
often avoid eye contacts with other people.
 They have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally
sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation
 Almost half (46%) of children identified with ASD has average
to above average intellectual ability.
 First described by Leo Kanner in 1943 as early infantile
autism.

5. Early signs of Autism
 Delayed or lack of speech.
 Repetitive movement such
as rocking and twirling
 Impaired social skills.
 Problems with verbal and
nonverbal communication
 Severely limited activities
and interests
 Seldom eye contact with
others.

6. Social
Communication Behavioural

7. I can't tell you how I feel………

8. Occurrence of Autism
 Autism can affect children in any family and has no
ethnic or social boundaries.
 Males are 4 times more likely to have autism than
female.
 According to CDS (Centers for disease control and
prevention) study, which is based on 2008 data, 1 in 88
children nationwide is believed to have autism or related
disorder.

9. Statistics…

10. Statistics contd…
• According to new data by
CDC estimates that 1 in 68
children (or 14.7 per 1,000
eight-year-olds) in multiple
communities in the United
States has been identified
with autism spectrum
disorders (ASDs)
• The number of children
identified with ASD ranged
from 1 in 175 children in
Alabama to 1 in 45 children
in New Jersey.

11. Economic Costs
It is estimated that at least $17,000 more to spend per
year to care for a child with ASDs compared to a normal
child.
Costs includes:
 Health care,
 Education,
 ASD-related therapy,
 family-coordinated services, and
 Caregiver time.
It is estimated that total societal costs of caring for
children with ASD were over $9 billion in 2011.

12. Risk Factors and Characteristics
• Lack of breastfeeding,
• Use of infant formula w/out DHA,
• Use of pacifier
• Watching too much TV

13. Risk Factors and Characteristics contd..
 Children born to older parents are at a higher risk for
having ASD.
 Studies have shown that among identical twins, if one child
has ASD, then the other will be affected about 36-95% of
the time. In non-identical twins, if one child has ASD, then
the other is affected about 0-31% of the time.
 ASD commonly co-occurs with other developmental,
psychiatric, neurologic, chromosomal, and genetic
diagnoses.

14. Treatment

15. Music therapy
 A 2004 study from the Journal of Music Therapy found
that music in interventions used with children and teens
with ASD can improve social behaviors, increase focus and
attention, increase communication attempts
(vocalizations, verbalizations, gestures, and vocabulary),
reduce anxiety, and improve body awareness and
coordination.
 A 2009 study by Kim, Wigram, & Gold found that children
with autism showed more emotional expression and social
engagement during music therapy than in play sessions
without music

16. Conclusion:
“The most important thing for parents to do is to
act early when there is a concern about a child’s
development,”
“If you have a concern about how your child plays,
learns, speaks, acts, or moves, take action. Don’t
wait.”

17. I’m just like
Other
People, have
Feelings but
I express it
in different
Way
~ Stop the
myth!
Thank you very much