Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that includes deficits in: • Social Communication • Social Interaction • Repetitive Behaviors Introduces affected parts of the brain, awareness, prevalence, and characteristics.

1. Autism
Presenter: Veronica Villasenor
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2. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability
that includes deficits in:
• Social Communication
• Social Interaction
• Repetitive Behaviors
(American Psychiatric Association , 2013). © 2018 Veronica Villaseñor
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3. CDC increases estimate of autism’s prevalence by 15 percent, to
1 in 59 children(Baio J).
(Autism Speaks , 2018).
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4. Developmental Characteristics of Autism
(Autism Speaks , 2015)
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5. Typical Child Development
Motor
• Cephalocaudal, Proximo­distal
• Not typically major delays with ASD
Language
• Receptive and Expressive
• Receptive good “window” into cognitive (Rossignol &
Frye, 2011).
© 2018 Veronica Villaseñor
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6. Typical Child Development
Pointing
• Starts around 8-10 months • Showing
• Majority of gestures at 12 months • Giving (Rossignol & Frye, 2011)
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7. Typical Child Development
Play Skill Development is an Excellent Sign of Typical Development.
More advanced play such as representational and symbolic play
are deficient in autism (American Psychiatric Association , 2013).
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8. Brain Abnormalities
(Ha, 2015).
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9. Brain Growth in Autism
(Shen MD, 2013)
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10. Brain Growth in Autism
(Shen MD, 2013).
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11. Brain Growth in Autism
(Shen MD, 2013).
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12. Brain Growth in Autism
• Brain Volume increased faster in the ASD group as
compared to the other groups
• Extra-­axial Fluid was larger in the ASD group and was
related to ASD severity (Shen MD, 2013).
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13. Amygdala Circuitry
(Ha, 2015).
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14. Amygdala Growth
(Ha, 2015).
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15. Secondary Symptoms of Autism
• Hypersensitivity • Avoidance of eye contact
• Aversion to certain sounds
(Ramachandran & Oberman, 2007).
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16. Treatment
There are no medications that can cure ASD or treat the core symptoms.
Early Intervention Services
Research shows that early intervention treatment services can greatly improve a child’s
development (National Research Council, 2001).
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17. What can you do?
- Create Awareness – Increase Understanding & Acceptance
- Spend time with someone who has autism
- Advocate in your State
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18. 2017 Team Elijah – Autism Speaks Walk – Tempe Town Lake
© 2017 Veronica Villaseñor
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19. More Awareness
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20. More Awareness
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21. Page 21

22. Thank you!
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23. References
American Psychiatric Association . (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
Autism Speaks . (2015). Symptoms . Retrieved July 22, 2018, from What Are the Symptoms of Autism?:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/symptoms
Autism Speaks . (2018, April 26). Related News and Information. Retrieved July 22, 2018, from Autism Prevelance
: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/cdc-increases-estimate-autism’s-prevalence-15-
percent-1-59-children
Baio J, W. L. (n.d.). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and
Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites United States, 2014. Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report (MMWR) . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Ha, S. S.-J.-A. (2015, December 16 ). Characteristics of Brains in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Structure, Function
and Connectivity across the Lifespan. Experimental Neurobiology, 24(4), 273–284.
National Research Council. (2001). Educating Children with Autism. National Academy Press.
Ramachandran, V. S., & Oberman, L. M. (2007). Broken Mirrors: A Theory of Autism. Scientific American, 20-29.
Rossignol, D. A., & Frye, R. E. (2011). Melatonin in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-
analysis. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 783-792.
Shen MD, N. C.-G. (2013). Early brain enlargement and elevated extra-axial fluid in infants who develop autism
spectrum disorder. Brain, 2825-2835.
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