What is "autism" anyway?
Autism Spectrum Disorders, commonly referred to as autism or ASDs, is a group of several developmental disabilities first present in infancy and early childhood. Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Other Wise Specified, and Rhett's Disorder make up the Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autistic Disorder is characterized by:
"Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following: marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction, failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level, a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with others (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest, lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following: delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime), in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others, stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language, lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level.
Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following: encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus, apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals, stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements), persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.
Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play."
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.
Autistic Disorder is characterized by:
"Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following: marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction, failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level, a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with others (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest, lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following: delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime), in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others, stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language, lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level.
Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following: encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus, apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals, stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements), persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.
Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play."
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.
Okay, so what does that mean?
Basically, that means that every child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is different and unique. They may have all of the aforementioned descriptions, or very few. This means that they may have drastically different needs from one child to the next, so the need for individualized care is great.
How common is autism?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects approximately 1 in 88 children, as of March 30, 2012.
Click here to see the study, directly from the CDC website.
ASDs are 1 in 54 in boys, and 1 in 252 girls, as of March 30, 2012.
Click here to see the study, directly from the CDC website.
Click here to see the study, directly from the CDC website.
ASDs are 1 in 54 in boys, and 1 in 252 girls, as of March 30, 2012.
Click here to see the study, directly from the CDC website.
What causes autism?
There are many different theories for what causes autism, but they are just that... theories. What we do know is that their is genetic and environmental factors, and that there is a gender discrepancy between males and females, being more common in males.
What kind of treatments are there for autism?
There are as many treatments for autism as there are theories of what causes it. Some notable ones are ABA (discussed further below), floortime, play therapies, and others. When choosing treatment for your child, it is best to make sure it is research-based.
What is ABA?
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is a style of teaching used to change behavior. ABA uses Operant Conditioning and the Discrete Trial Method (sometimes called the Lovaas Method). It is one of the most common therapies methods used to treat children with developmental disabilities, including autism.
What is discrete trial?
The Discrete Trial Method is a methodology that asserts behavior can be changed through a series that consists of a direction (called a discriminative stimulus, or an Sᵈ), followed by a behavior (called a response, or R), followed by a consequence (C). This consequence is the followed again by a response. This can be thought of in the following equation: Sᵈ > R > C > R
What is Behavior Modification?
Behavioral Modification is a term used to describe techniques that are used to change behavior, as the name implies. Many behavioral modification techniques are especially important when treating children with autism. Behavioral Modification uses the concepts or positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, consequences and punishments as ways to change behavior.
What is Operant Conditioning?
Operant Conditioning is a theory that holds that an individual can be conditioned to give a certain response. In other words, through using operant conditioning, you will make a habit of responding a certain way in a given situation. If a child is reinforced for a good response, or behavior, they are more likely to do it again. It is worth it. If a child is appropriately not reinforced (through the use of consequences or punishment), the child is less likely to repeat that response again. It is not worth it.
**Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a diagnostic tool outside of the supervision of a medical, mental health professional, or other qualified individual.