Autism

Definition: Autism and the related condition of pervasive developmental disorder are neurological disorders that affect a person's ability to communicate, understand language, and relate to others, Characteristics typically become evident by age three.

Individual With Disabilities Education Act Definition: Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication before age 3, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not apply if a child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has a serious emotional disturbance.

Causes: The cause of autism is unknown. Current research links autism to biological or neurological brain differences.

Characteristics: A person with autism may engage in repetitive activities (e.g. hand flapping, rocking), avoid eye contact, have an attachment to objects, dislike touch, resist change in environment or daily routine, have abnormal sense responses and display uneven skill development (e.g. advanced competence in drawing, music, memory skills, arithmetic). The majority have some form of mental retardation; 20% have average or above average intelligence. Symptoms and characteristics of autism can be present in a wide range of combinations and intensity. Two people with an autism diagnosis can act very differently from each other.

Prevalence: Autism occurs in 15 per 10,000 births. Four out of every five people with autism are male.

Treatment: There is no single accepted treatment of autism. Current methods include: biochemical (e.g. medication, vitamin supplements), neurosensory (e.g. daily therapy), psychodynamic (e.g. sensory), and behavior support.

Parent Note: Make certain your child really does have autism (rather than mental retardation; deafness; Hellers Disease, Rett's Syndrome, allergies or another disability) by consulting with experienced professionals or a team. A common diagnostic measure is the Childhood Autism Rating Scale that examines 15 areas of behavior. Be leery of miracle cures, people who say the child's disability is your fault, and practitioners using outdated methods.

Teaching Strategies

Early diagnosis and intervention programs greatly aid learning. School curriculum, in general, should include functional academics as well as vocational preparation and life skills for integrated community living. Highly structured programs involving communication therapy, social skills development, sensory integration therapy, and behavior modification are beneficial. Children with severe autism may learn best in individualized instruction or a small group environment. Peer instruction in social interaction skills increases reciprocity, is useful across setting, and aids social-communication functions.

Other classroom strategies: When a student needs extra help to learn simple concepts, try using peer tutoring with visual images and music to help student understand abstract concepts. If a student's achievements fluctuate from day to day, be consistent, even if the student is not.

*from the Beach Center on Families and Disability

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