WHAT IS...

Autism
Spectrum
Disorder
Katherine Venus M. Catuday
12 - HUMSS 202
What is it?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a
complex developmental condition that
involves persistent challenges in social
interaction, speech and nonverbal
communication, and restricted/repetitive
behaviors. The effects of ASD and the
severity of symptoms are different in each
person.
Characteristics of
Autism Spectrum
Disorders
Characteristics
fall in Two (2)
categories:
Social interaction and communication
problems
Restricted and repetitive patterns of
behaviors, interests or activities
Myths and
Miscpnceptions
01 Autism is caused by vaccination

02 Kids with autism don’t want to

make friends

03 Children with autism can’t learn

04 Autism is
parenting
caused by bad

05 Just like Rain Man, people with

autism have savant skills
Diagnosis and
Risk Factors
Early diagnosis and treatment are important to
reducing the symptoms of autism and improving
the quality of life for people with autism and
their families. There is no medical test for
autism. It is diagnosed based on observing how
the child talks and acts in comparison to other
children of the same age. Trained professionals
typically diagnose autism by talking with the
child and asking questions of parents and other
caregivers.
 Treatment
While children are not typically cured nor do
they outgrow autism, studies have shown that
symptoms can improve with early diagnosis
and treatment. There is no single treatment for
autism. Treatments can include intensive skill-
building and teaching educational sessions,
known as applied behavior analysis (ABA), and
many more interactive, child-centered versions
of behavior treatments. Treatment may also
involve special training and support for
parents, speech and language therapy,
occupational therapy, and/or social skills
training.
 DRAMA THERAPY
Drama therapy is a well-known, well-
used approach to help people who have
a wide array of conditions that interfere
with their ability to interact well with
others. Drama therapy uses exercises
commonly practiced in the theatre such
as scene acting, improvisation, and
physical acting.

The goal is to improve and strengthen

communication skills that can be applied
to real-life situations. For people with
autism who also have fundamental verbal
skills, the exercises can be both
enjoyable and very helpful.
References:
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-
spectrum-
disorder#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(ASD)%20is,ar
e%20different%20in%20each%20person.
https://www.autismawareness.com.au/could-it-be-autism/myths/