Transcript Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Understanding Autism
Spectrum Disorder
November 2011
What is Autism?
 A behavioral syndrome present from
early life
 Cause is still unknown
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Genetic
Better identification
Immunizations
environment
 Increase in over 200%
What is Autism?
 Spectrum disorder
 DSM IV –Pervasive Developmental
Disorder
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Aspergers
PDD-NOS
Autism
Rhett syndrome
Childhood disintegrative disorder
Spectrum Disorder
 Social
 Withdrawn…passive….active but odd
 Communication
 Nonverbal………………verbal
 Repetitive Behavior
 Simple…..complex
 Measured intelligence
 Mental retardation……………gifted
 Motor Skills
 Uncoordinated…………………..agile
Sensory Integration
 The neurological process that
organizes sensation from one’s own
body and from the environment to
use the body effectively
 Normal processing vs. processing
dysfunction
Sensory System
 Five basic senses
 Vision, auditory, smell, touch, taste
 Hidden senses
 Vestibular system; body in space
(swinging)
 Proprioceptive system; joint muscle
input (jumping)
 Hypersensitive (over) and
Hyposensitive (under)
Programs with High Expectations
 Family centered;
not professional
centered
 Student centered;
not diagnostic
centered
 Solution oriented
 Approach
challenging
behaviors with
open mind
 Follow behavior
plans- sometimes
they take time
Teaching Strategies
 Identify other students to facilitate
appropriate social interaction
 Eliminate adult prompts and
dependency
 Avoid verbal overload (wright story)
 Avoid lecture
Teaching Strategies
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Use concrete methods to teach
Use redirection
Wait for a response- 5 seconds
Modify work
Be consistent
Teaching Strategies
 Use interruption strategy
 Use reinforcement- what is student
working for?
 Use more positives than negatives
 Students engaged 100% of time
Teaching Strategies
 Relate behaviors to natural environment
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Teach self-management skills
Teach social skills
Promote cognition
Expand communication
 Prepare student for environment
 Use visual or written schedule
 Organization and predictability provide security
Overview of Behavior
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Stay calm and try not over react
Review students behavior plans
Keep data
Students should not be able to use
behavior to get out of work
Basic Functions of Behavior
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Escape
Attention
Sensory input
Communication
Low Expectations Lead to Disabling
Students…..
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Behavior problems
Adult dependency
Inability to communicate
Inability to progress academically
Loss of social and community
acceptance