Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication. Signs typically appear between ages 2 and 3. People with autism can have narrow, intense interests and uneven language development. They may struggle with social norms, nonverbal communication, and speech. Treatment involves speech and behavioral therapy starting as early as possible, with a focus on structure and communication development.

1. Autism
By: Emily
Bordelon
Dr. Marie Goff –
SPED 685

2. What is autism?
o Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad
range of conditions characterized by challenges with social
skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal
communication.
o “ASD affects people in different ways and can range from mild
to severe. People with ASD share some symptoms, such as
difficulties with social interaction, but there are differences in
when the symptoms start, how severe they are, the number of
symptoms, and whether other problems are present. The
symptoms and their severity can change over time.” ( NIDCD,
2020).
o Related to brain development.
o Signs of Autism normally appear around ages 2 or 3.

3. Characteristics of
Autism:
o Passionate about
specific interests
o Repetitive
Behaviors
o Sensory
sensitivities:
includes
textures, noises,
foods, etc.
o Observant
o Above-average
Memory and recall
skills
o Detail-
oriented
o Difficulty
interpreting
social
norms
o Creative and
thoughtful
o Visual
thinkers
o Difficulty
communicating

4. In relation to
speech, Some
people with
ASD:
o May not be able to
communicate with
speech or
language.
o May have rich
vocabularies
o May have

5. Different types of language patterns
and behaviors of individuals with
Autism:
o Repetitive or Rigid Language
o Narrow Interests and Exceptional Abilities
o Uneven Language Development
o Poor Nonverbal Conversation Skills
What do these patterns and behaviors mean? Click
through the next 4 slides to understand them better.

6. Repetitive or
Rigid Language:
o “Often, children with ASD who can speak will
say things that have no meaning or that do
not relate to the conversations they are
having with others.”
o Those with ASD will also mimic or copy what
was said by a person in the conversation
before.
o Sometimes individuals with ASD will also
begin conversations the same way each time
or repeat what they have already said to you
in conversation.

7. Narrow interests
and Exceptional
Abilities :
o Individuals with Autism, can become
“fixated” on a specific topic or interest.
o These individuals know most information
about these topics and can have more
one-sided conversations with others
about them.
o “Approximately 10 percent of children
with ASD show “savant” skills, or
extremely high abilities in specific areas,
such as memorization, calendar
calculation, music, or math.”

8. Uneven Language
Development:
o Often, individuals with ASD progress at
different rates from regular language
development.
o These students can often be mistaken for
having hearing problems, due to the lack
in language development.

9. Poor Nonverbal
Communication
Skills:
o Those with ASD can have poor
communication skills. This includes
communicating with words or gestures.
o Many of the individuals that are non-verbal
also have difficulty using gestures or sign
language to communicate as well. This
makes making their wants or needs known
extremely difficult.
o Having poor non-verbal communication skills
can also create frustration for those with ASD
as well.

10. How are speech and Language
Problems of ASD Treated?
o Children with ASD are normally referred to
Speech Language Pathologists for therapy to
begin to assist in establishing communication.
The best treatment begins early in the child’s
life, and it changes to fit the student through the
years. This therapy addresses both the
communication of the child and their behavior.
o Most children with ASD respond well to highly
structured and routinely programs.

11. o HAVE A
SENSORY
AREA
SUGGESTIONS FOR
THE CLASSROOM
o STRICT
ROUTINES
THAT ALLOW
STUDENTS TO
KNOW WHAT
TO EXPECT
CAN HELP
REDUCE
OUTBURSTS
THROUGHOU
T THE DAY.
o LEARN BASIC SIGN
LANGUAGE
GESTURES TO
CREATE BETTER
COMMUNICATION
WITH THE STUDENTS
THAT ARE
NONVERBAL.
o COMMUNICATION
WITH THE FAMIY IS
VERY IMPORATANT
TO UNDERSTAND
THE STUDENTS'
ROUTINES AND
NEEDS.

12. References:
o U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020, April 13). Autism
spectrum disorder: Communication problems in children. National Institute
of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/autism-spectrum-disorder-communication-
problems-
children#:~:text=Some%20children%20with%20ASD%20may,rhythm%20of
%20words%20and%20sentences.
o Corcoran, L. (2021, May 16). Autism spectrum disorder. phdbalance.
https://www.phdbalance.com/post/autism-spectrum-disorder
o What is autism?. Autism Speaks. (n.d.).