An Introduction to Autism

What is Autism?Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of

disorders with common disabilities in three key areas:Social awareness and interactionLanguage and other communication skillsImaginative play (variable interests and behaviours)

Autism consists of disorders of development of brain functions

Causes are not yet known for sureAutism affects families in all races, cultures all around the

world

Shocking Statistics

1 out of every 110 childrenFour times as many boys than girls More common than pediatric cancer, AIDS and diabetes

combined Costs $80-$100,000 each year to treat No medical detection for autism No known cure A lifelong condition

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/autism-speaks-canada

Spectrum of Autism

Labels of AutismAutistic Savants: distinctive abilities in art, music,

mathematics or memory. 1% in the whole population Asperger's Syndrome

Seven times as many people as classic autism; average to higher IQ

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)Classic Autism and Kanner Autism

Two-thirds of classic autism: severely to mildly handicapped in cognition and intellect

Classic Autism: four times more common in boys than in girls

Causes of AutismUnknown, No guidelines for preventing

Invalid theories Postnatal environment: allergies, and exposure of children to

drugs, vaccines, infection, certain foods Lack of Vitamin D Refrigerator mother

Valid theories Genetic factors: the most significant cause Prenatal environment: age in either parent (m40+; f40+, m-30);

diabetes, bleeding, and use of psychiatric drugs in the mother during pregnancy

Signs of Autism: Strengths

Reading skillsExceptional balanceDrawing skillsComputer skillsExceptional memoryMusic skills

Signs of Autism: Weaknesses Social Interaction Communication Bizarre behaviours Repetitive behaviours Sensory issues Motor issues Self-injuries behaviours

When Does Autism Appear?Several symptoms appear by 18 months of age:

Poor eye contact, trouble with pretend play and imitation, delayed communication skills, Joint attention

Average age of diagnosis: About three years oldRegression: Stop using the language, play, or

social skills they had already learned; usually between the first and second birthdays

Treatments & Therapies Disabilities are lifelong and there is no known cure

Biomedical• Medication• Diets

Behavioural• Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)• Son-Rise Program

Communication therapies• Sign Language• Facilitated Communication (FC)

Other Therapies• Music Therapy• Service Dogs

Success Stories

Temple Grandin (1947- )Diagnosed with autism (brain damage) in 1950Had supportive mentors from primary school onwardsAt age four, began talking, and making progressA "nerdy kid" whom everyone teased; Called "tape recorder” Bachelor's degree in psychology in 1970Master's degree in animal science in 1975Doctoral degree in animal science in 1989Professor at Colorado State UniversityBestselling authorWidely noted for her work in autism advocacyInventor of the Hug Machine

Tito & SomaTito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay(1989- )

Diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism when he was 3Learned to develop his reading, writing, and thinking abilities

through his mother’s method, Soma.A published and successful author since 2001Communicates through writingHas given rare insights into autism: how his autism affects his view

of the worldSoma Mukhopadhyay

Tito's tireless taskmasterBy the time Tito was 6, he could write independently. Rapid Prompting Method (RPM)

Rapid Prompting Method (RPM)

Sources and ReferencesAutism CanadaAutism physician handbookWindsor Public Library DatabasesAutism SpeaksAutism ResourcesA Mother’s Courage: A documentary

on AutismScience Daily

National Resources Canada

Autism Speaks: NA’s largest autism science, awareness and advocacy organization• http://www.autismspeaks.ca/autism-speaks-canada

Autism Canada: registered Canadian Charity• http://www.autismcanada.org/

Autism Society Canada• www.autismsocietycanada.com

Ontario Autism Ontario

www.autismsociety.on.ca ABACUS

http://www.abacuslist.ca/ Asperger Society Ontario

www.aspergers.ca Ontario Adult Autism Research and Support Network (OAARSN)

http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/ Ministry of Children and Youth Services

http://www.children.gov.on.ca/

International Resources Autism Today: largest autism-related information online; multilingual Action for Autism: worldwide links to autism organization, resources in about 100 different

countries www.autism-india.org/worldorgs.com

Center for the Study of Autism www.autism.org

Autistic Living: site developed by parents for parents www.autisticliving.com

Autism Speaks: world's largest autism advocacy organization

http://www.autismspeaks.org/ Autism Resources: over 16 languages

www.autism-resources/links/nonenglish.html Australia

http://www.autism.net.au/ Autism Society of America (ASA)

www.autism-society.org Autism Research Institute

www.autism.com/