Autism Spectrum Disorders

Today

Autism spectrum disorders

(ASD)
A range of complex
neurodevelopmental disorders
Disorders are characterized by social
impairments, communication
difficulties, and restricted, repetitive,
and stereotyped patterns of behavior

(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and

DSM-IV Definition of Autism

(MI definition)

Impairment in
Socialization

Restricted &
Repetitive
Behavior

Impairment in
Communication
START 2011

Autism Spectrum Disorders

PDD-NOS
Impaired social
interaction
or
Impaired
communication

Autistic Disorder
Impaired social
interaction
and
Impaired
communication

and
Restricted
or
repetitive and
Restricted
stereotyped
repetitive and
patterns or
stereotyped
behaviors,
patterns or
interests and
*Tony Atwood states that there is a qualitative impairment in
behaviors,
subtle communication skillsactivities.
with Aspergers Syndrome
interests
Conversation,and
pedantic speech and literal.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Retts Syndrome fall
activities.
under the broad category of Pervasive Developmental

Aspergers
Disorder
Impaired social
interaction
and
Normal
communication/
language
development.*
and
Restricted repetitive
and stereotyped
patterns or
behaviors, interests
and activities.

Neurobiological/Neurodevelopmental
disorder that impacts:
Processing
Attention and shifting
Basic social behaviors
Interaction with the environment
Learning
Lord, 2010

Triad of ASD

Why do students with ASD need to be

included in the General Ed. Classroom?
In order to prepare all students for
employment and independent living, students
need Socialization Skills and Independent
Functioning
Students with ASD dont typically lose their
job because of a lack of job skillsthey
typically lose their job because of a lack of
socialization skills.
To develop socialization skills you must have
social opportunities.
Research indicates that there are improved
outcomes when students with ASD are

Developing Tolerance

Use Sensitivity Training with Staf

Use Sensitivity Training with Peers
Model Tolerance/Inclusion
Think about ways to support
diferences in students
Develop a plan to include students
with diferences

Sensitivity Awareness

When you can see the two

animals in this picture, please
stand up.

Visual Processing Problems

How does it feel not being able
to do
something
others
can do
Its
not always
a motivational
easily?
issue.
Anxiety and Pressure may lead to
behavior
Motivation
problems. vs. Ability
Can the student do something
or are
they just tired of working so
hard at

Turn the picture 90 degrees

Sensitivity Awareness
Do we need to plan sensitivity
awareness training for our building?
For students, staf, the community?
Can we plan something for Autism
Awareness month (April)? It is not too
early to start thinking about this.

Evidence Based Practices/Teaching

Intervention Strategies
Five of the 24 Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) are
listed below:

Social Narratives
Visual Strategies
Self-Management
Prompting
Reinforcement

NPDC http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/
OCALI, AIM website autisminternetmodules.org 37 modules presently available
National Autism Center, National Standards Project(www.nationalautismcenter.org )

Quick Tips to Efectively Support

Students with ASD
Use peers to assist students with ASD
Assist the student with communication by
providing a break card or using pictures or
written language.
Behavior is communication
Teach students about peer social
expectations and language
Use or refer to the Profile of Change
Use a team based approach
See handout: Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

Team Based Approach

Duties of the team include:
Develop/Review/Be Cognizant of the
Guiding Principles
Meet at least monthly
Meet as problems arise
Take issues to the team rather than
the hallway or the teachers lounge
Contact the building coach for
assistance
Please refer to the Developing Guiding Principles Document, Action Plan, and

REMEMBER: Our Attitude Afects a

Students Performance