Autism

Spectrum
Disorder

Mark Gonzales
CPE 1A
 ASD (autism spectrum disorder)

• Is a group of developmental disability. It is

called “spectrum” because people with ASD
have a range of symptoms.
• The word "autism" comes from the Greek
word "autos," which means "self." It describes
conditions in which a person is removed from
social interaction. In other words, they
become an “isolated self.”
 ASD is usually first diagnosed in childhood
with many of the most-obvious signs
presenting around 2-3 years old, but some
children with autism develop normally until
toddlerhood when they stop acquiring or
lose previously gained skills. It is a lifelong
condition. However, many children
diagnosed with ASD go on to live
independent, productive, and fulfilling
lives.
History of Autism

From the early 1900s, autism has referred

to a range of neuro-psychological conditions.
The term “autism” is first used by Eugen
Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist. He started using
it around 1911 to refer to one group of
symptoms related to schizophrenia.
 In the 1940s, researchers in the United
States began to use “autism” to describe
children with emotional or social problems.
Leo Kanner, a doctor from Johns Hopkins
University, used it to describe the
withdrawn behavior of several children he
studied. At about the same time, Hans
Asperger, a scientist in Germany, identified
a similar condition that’s now called
Asperger’s syndrome.
Common Characteristic

 People with ASD often have difficulty with

social interaction

 Have unusual interest in objects.

 Have difficulty with changes in routine.

 Greatability in one area and great difficulty
in another.

 Haveunusually strong reaction to one or

more of their five senses.

 May do something over and over again, or

talk constantly about specific things that
interest them.
 Andmay usually have intense and
prolonged emotional reactions.

While every children with ASD is unique,

common characteristic include effects on the
five senses, social interactions, and
emotional expression.
 Causes of autism
 Hereditary- genetic disorder can be passed
down from parents to children (it is also
known as the Martin-bell syndrome or
fragile X syndrome. An inherited genetic
disease passed down from parents to
children that causes intellectual and
developmental disability.
 Genetic mutation- an alteration in the genetic
material of a cell of a living organism. It is notable
that severe mutation in ankyrin-G (a protein
within the nervous system.) causes intellectual
disability.

 Low birth weight- based on the journal of

pediatrics, low birth weight, premature and small
for gestational age (SGA) were related to
childhood autism but may have preventive
implication.
 Exposure to heavy metals and
environmental toxins- heavy metal toxicity
can have several health effects in the body.
It can damage functioning of the organs
including the brain. The concentration of
heavy metals in a child’s body may cause
the development of autism.
 Historyof viral infection- parental viral
infection has been called the principal non-
genetic cause of autism. The exposure of a
parent to various kinds of virus may
activates the mother’s immune response
and may greatly increase the risk for
autism.
 Fetalexposure to medications- according to
a study conducted by American medical
association, parental use of medicine for
treatment of epilepsy and other
neuropsychological disorder and anti
depressant while bearing a child may
increase the risk of autism.
 Being born to older parents- according to a
multiple studies published in the past
decade, older man and women are more
likely to have a child with autism.
Especially when it comes to fathers, this
parental-age effect in one of the most
consistent finding in the epidemiology of
autism.
Types of ASD
Over time, psychiatrists have developed a
systematic way of describing autism and
related conditions. All of these conditions are
placed within a group of conditions called
Autism Spectrum Disorders. Depending on
how severe symptoms are, they are classified
under level 1, 2 or 3.
 Asperger'ssyndrome is technically no longer
a diagnosis on its own.

 Thecondition is what doctors call a "high-

functioning" type of ASD. This means the
symptoms are less severe than other kinds
of autism spectrum disorders.
 When you meet someone who has
Asperger's syndrome, you might notice that
they're just as smart as other folks, but
they have more trouble with social skills.
They also tend to have an obsessive focus
on one topic or perform the same behaviors
again and again.
 These children don't have a problem with
language; in fact, they tend to score in the
average or above-average range on intelligence
tests. But they have social problems and a narrow
scope of interests.

 Doctorsused to think of Asperger's as a separate

condition. But in 2013, the newest edition of the
standard book that mental health experts use,
called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM-5 published on May 28
2013), changed how it's classified.
Autistic disorder is sometime called the
classic autism. It is what most people think of
when hearing the word autism.
 People with autistic disorder usually have
significant language delays. Social and
communication challenges, and unusual
behaviors and interest.
 Many people with autistic disorder also
have intellectual disability.
Special learning needs
 Findingthe strength and weakness of the
students with ASD. By identifying the
sensory perception issue of the students,
educators may develop an approach where
students are comfortable of learning.
 Children with autism tend to be visual
learners since they usually have struggle
with language. Teachers may also conduct
activities that may improve the student’s
motor skill.

 Limitinglong verbal instruction may also

increase the possibility of fast learning.
(cognitive processing delays)
 Givingof rewards every time they give
appropriate responses. (developing social
interaction of the student by building up trust)

 Coordination with the family is important.

Educators will be needing the help of the
family, specially the parents to continue
practicing what the student have already
achieved.(prevention of troubles in standard
curriculum.)
 Pathway to care
Guided by the immediate family members,
a child with ASD will progress throughout the
adulthood period and may have a fulfilling life.
However, many of the family having a member with
ASD failed to give the care they needed. In fact,
many family may be experiencing some of the
following:
 Impact to personal life- the focus of the
parents is diverted only to the member
with ASD, limiting the response to the
needs of other children within the family.
Personal care may also be affected
increasing the risk of emotional and health
breakdown.
 Disruptionof the family relationship-
disrupted family relationship may lead to
divorce, or legal separation of the parents
and juvenile delinquency of the other
children.
Proper education for the children
with ASD and their parents may transform the
depressing situation into positive and healthy
relationship of all the members of the family.
Securing a better life for children with autism
spectrum disorder.
References:

 www.google.com
 www.Wikipedia.com
 www.medlineplus.gov