This document discusses autism, including what it is, potential causes, signs and symptoms, treatments, facts, and how autism manifests in classrooms. Autism is a disorder of brain development that exists on a spectrum, with some forms being more or less severe. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed than girls. Early intervention and therapies like behavioral, occupational and speech therapies can help treat autism, for which there is currently no cure. Visual aids, social stories and specialized teaching techniques can help students with autism in the classroom.

1. AUTISM
Brittney Ortega
San Diego Christian College
Ed 300

2. WHAT IS AUTISM?
 According to
autismspeaks.org, autism is
a disorder of brain
development.
 Some forms of autism can
be more severe than others.
 There is a complex
spectrum of autism that can
be identified through
multiple terms including:
autistic disorder, Rett
syndrome, childhood
disintegrative disorder,
persuasive development
disorder, and Asperger
syndrome.

3. WHAT IS AUTISM?
 Autismspeaks.org
states that some levels
of autism range from
mild, or functional, to
severe.
 However, while people
with autism may suffer
in some areas, in
others they may
excel, all cases are
different.

4. WHAT IS AUTISM?
 Nationalautismassociatio
n.org, states that people
with autism are effected
socially, through
communication, and
through leisure or play
activities.
 People with autism tend
to suffer in other health
areas such as:
allergies, asthma, epileps
y, digestive
disorders, sleeping
disorders and more.

5. CAUSES OF AUTISM
 Nationalautismassociat
ion.org believes some
causes of autism to be:
 Vaccinations
 Pesticide exposures
 Parental age
 Pharmaceuticals
 Genetics

6. SOME SIGNS TO DETECT AUTISM

7. SOME SIGNS TO DETECT AUTISM IN BABIES
 Autismspeaks.org
informs us of signs to
look for in child autism:
 No smiles or joyful
expressions by 6 months
 No sharing of sounds,
smiles, or other facial
expressions by 9 months
 No babbling by 12
months
 No pointing, showing,
reaching, or waving by 12
months
 No words by 16 months
 No meaningful 2 word
phrases by 24 months
 Loss of speech, babbling,
or social skills at any age

8. AUTISM FACTS
 Nationalautismassociation.o
rg explains that boys are 4
times as likely to be
diagnosed with autism
compared to girls.
 Autism not affected by
race, region, or socio
economic status.
 40% of children with autism
do not speak.
 1 in every 88 children have
autism.
 There is no cure for autism.
 Early prevention is KEY.

9. AUTISM FACTS

10. AUTISM TREATMENTS
 Autism can best be treated
when early intervention
occurs.
 Nationalautismassociation.o
rg states that multiple
therapies can be used to
treat autism:
 Behavioral, occupational, ph
ysical, speech, vision, music
, and canine therapies all
help people with autism.
 Some specialists state that
diet is important to
prevention. Gluten-
free, casein-free, and
specific carbohydrate diet
according to body
chemistry.

11. AUTISM TREATMENTS

12. AUTISM TREATMENTS
 Howcast.com is a website that has hundreds of
how-to videos. Amongst its health section, a video
on “How to Help a Child With Autism” was posted.
The video emphasizes many of the points used in
this power point:
 http://www.howcast.com/videos/218410-How-to-
Help-a-Child-with-Autism

13. AUTISM IN THE CLASSROOM
 Autism.org discusses
ways in which teachers
can help with autistic
students in the
classroom:
 Visual aides
 Comic strip
conversations
 Social stories
 Social skills
 Circles of friends

14. AUTISM IN THE CLASSROOM
 Autism.org explains
PECS or picture
communication exchange
system and
 TEACCH or treatment
and education of autistic
and related
communication
handicapped children.
 Two systems that many
schools use for autistic
children in the classroom
using specialized
techniques for teaching
autistic students.

15. AUTISM IN THE CLASSROOM
 SPELL is a program designed by the National
Autistic Society’s schools in order to provide the
best form of education to students with autism.
 Autism.org explains how SPELL works with autistic
students:
 Structure
 Positive approaches
 Empathy
 Low arousal environments
 Links from one’s personal life to their therapies in
order to create consistent environments for learning

16. AUTISM IN THE CLASSROOM

17. WORKS CITED
 (n.d). "How Can I Help a Child with Autism at My School?" -. National Autistic Society
UK. Retrieved July 12, 2013. From http://www.autism.org.uk/working-
with/education/educational-professionals- in-schools/lessons-and-breaktimes/how-can-i-
help-a-child-with-autism-at-my- school.aspx
 (n.d). "How to Help a Child with Autism." Howcast. Retrieved July 12, 2013. From
http://www.howcast.com/videos/218410-How-to-Help-a-Child-with-Autism
 (n.d). "National Autism Association." National Autism Association RSS. National
Autism Association. Retrieved July 12, 2013. From
http://nationalautismassociation.org/
 (n.d). "What Is Autism?" Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks Inc. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
From http://www.autismspeaks.org/