AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as defined by the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition of the
American Psychiatric Association, is a
neurodevelopmental disorder associated with
symptoms that include, "persistent deficits in social
communication and social interaction across multiple
contexts", and "restricted, repetitive patterns of
behavior, interests, or activities."
ASD is the third most common developmental
disorder.
AUTISM IS NOT A BEHAVIORAL DISORDER
Many are told autism is a behavioral disorder based on
challenges in behavior. This is a common
misconception. It is a developmental disorder…
While children with autism do display behaviors that
can be confusing, concerning, and even disruptive, the
basis of these behaviors is a neurodevelopmental
difference.
However, clinical practice and research are creating a
paradigm shift to more fully understanding autism from
a neurodevelopmental perspective rather than simply
behaviorally.
We need to look at autism as a neurodiversity that
needs to be understood and the person needs to be
supported in the right way. Once understood, then the
person's potential can be realized. There are aspects of
autism that are disabling and very challenging.
Nevertheless, seeking to understand the
neurodevelopmental differences in an effort to
promote growth and development can help the autistic
individual reach their potential while addressing the
disabling aspects.

RELATING AND EMOTION:

• a tendency to avoid interaction
• difficulty paying attention
• limited eye contact with others
• repetitive statements, play, or behaviors
• failure to develop pretend play
• intense fears about ordinary objects, activities or
events

LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION:
• problems following simple directions
• echolalia, or repeating what has just been said
 • difficulty making needs and desires known by
gestures, words or play

REGULATORY AND SENSORY-MOTOR:

• difficulty dealing with changes in environment
• avoidance of hugs or light touch
• does not point to show you things
• poor co-ordination
• “self-stimulatory” behaviors: spinning, hand
flapping, head banging

Children with autism commonly have average or

above average skills. They are:
➢ Good visual and spatial memory
➢ Methodical and organized
➢ Ability to understand abstract concepts
➢ Problem solving/ logical reasoning

INTERVENTION AVAILABLE

ASD is a lifelong condition and there is no

cure, but the right therapy or intervention can
help the child learn the necessary skills to
improve the quality of their life.
INTERVENTIONS OR TECHNIQUES THAT WILL HELP
Behavioral management therapy:
Behavioral therapy is often based on
applied behavior analysis (ABA), a widely
accepted approach that tracks a child's
progress in improving his or her skills.
Cognitive behavior therapy:
Cognitive behavior therapy focuses on the
connection between thoughts, feelings,
and behaviors. The person with autism
learns to identify and change thoughts
that lead to problem feelings or
behaviours in particular situations. It can
also help some people with autism cope
with social situations and better recognize
emotions.
Early intervention:
With early intervention, some children
with autism make so much progress that
they are no longer on the autism
spectrum when they are older.

Many of the children who later go off the

spectrum have some things in common:
 ❖Diagnosis and treatment at younger
ages
❖A higher intelligence quotient (IQ, a
measure of thinking ability) than
average for a child with autism
❖Better language and motor skills
Nutritional therapy:
Some children with autism will only eat
certain foods because of how the foods
feel in their mouths. Other times, they
might avoid eating foods because they
associate them with stomach pain or
discomfort. Some children are put on
limited diets in hopes of reducing autism
symptoms. Research shows that children
with autism tend to have thinner bones
than children without autism. Restricting
access to bone-building foods, such as
dairy products, can make it even harder
for their bones to grow strong.
Parent-mediated therapy:
In parent-mediated therapy, parents learn
therapy techniques from professionals
and provide specific therapies to their
own child. This approach gives children
with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
consistent reinforcement and training
throughout the day. Parents can also
conduct some therapies with children
who are at risk of autism but are too
young to be diagnosed.
Physical therapy:
Physical therapy includes activities and
exercises that build motor skills and
improve strength, posture, and balance.

For example, this type of therapy aims to

help a child build muscle control and
strength so that he or she can play more
easily with other children.

Problems with movement are common in

autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and
many children with autism receive
physical therapy.
Social skills training:
Social skills training teaches children the
skills they need to interact with others. It
includes repeating and reinforcing certain
desired behaviors.
Speech-language therapy:
Speech-language therapy can help people
with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
improve their abilities to communicate
and interact with others.
Music therapy:
Research has shown that music therapy
can help children develop or improve
skills like shared attention,
communication and play. It might help
autistic children and children with
intellectual disabilities more than typically
developing children.

CONCLUSION
Autism is a lifelong, developmental
disability. The characteristics of the
disability; little or lack of speech
development, avoiding social contact or
awareness and routines of behaviors are
not experienced in the same degree for
everyone living with autism.

Have hope. ...

 Remember that your child is an
individual....
Build a strong support system. ...
Find credible sources and resources in
your community. ...
Enjoy each other. ...
Set goals…
Have reasonable expectations for your
child's behavior…
Be kind…