the changing views of autism 3525290n
TRANSCRIPT
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
By: Rachel Olivo, Meagan Ingram, and Aubri Brodfuhrer
Changing Times: Denial, Defeat, and HopeThe changing views of Autism
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3525290n
Autism in the Past1911- coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen
Bleuler
“Autism” = an extreme withdrawal of oneself from the fabric of social life
Compared to SchizophreniaLittle research was done due to easily
admitting those with “autism” to institutions.
1940’s-1960’sThe Age of Denial1943- first research on Autism by Leo
Kanner• Case on 11 kids who displayed, “extreme
autistic aloneness.”• Limited speech, lack of emotional
connection, and an obsessive desire for sameness.
1944- Hans Asberger did a case study• He referred to the kids as “Little Professors” • His research led to those with the syndrome to
be called “Autistic Psychopaths” and to have “Autistic Disturbances”
Autism was blamed on the “poor” parenting of the parents.
• “Refrigerator Moms”
1960’s-1980’sThe Age of DefeatNo chance to improve the quality of life for a
child with autismRequire some type of institutionalization
Few scientists involved in autism researchFamilies had little or no support
1960’s-1980’s Continued…Treatments included LSD, electric shock, and
behavior modification techniquesFocus on pain and punishment
Researchers separated Autism from Schizophrenia in Mid 60’s
Medical Community determines Autism has a biological origin
1990’s- PresentThe Age of HopeViewed as a developmental disorder
rather than a behavioral disorderAutism as a complex biological disorderHope for quality of life and independenceVarious treatment and medicationEmergence of Behavior Therapy and
highly controlled environments.Increase awareness and support
Key Issue:Communication
Tools to Help People with Autism Communicate and Socially Interact
PECS– Picture Exchange Communication
ProgramPictures used to help people
with communication deficiencies
effectively communicate
PECS BinderBinders of pictures to help them
communicateStrips of Velcro on the front and on the
backs of the picturesCan create complete sentences
Pyramid Approach
Increase to more complex levels of communication
What do you think this means?
Begins with simple teachings of how to use PECS
Communicate more ideas than before
Effectively communicate
Whose Theory?B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning
-- focus on positive reinforcements
How is PECS based on this theory?
Children are rewarded with what they want/need when they are able to effectively communicate