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Autism. Brittany Douville Meagan Ellsworth Addison Reed. What is Autism?. Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others Signs of Autism are usually visible within the first three years of a person’s life. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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AutismBrittany Douville
Meagan EllsworthAddison Reed
What is Autism?Autism is a complex developmental disability
that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others
Signs of Autism are usually visible within the first three years of a person’s life
Characteristics Impaired ability to make friends with peers
Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
Absence or impairment of imaginative and social play
Stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language
Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus
Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects
Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals
The Autism SpectrumAutism, like many other neurological disorders,
takes many forms
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent a wide range of psychological conditions illustrated by varying degrees of social inhibitions, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior
It is important to remember that not all disorders on the spectrum have the same cause, but they do share similar characteristics
The Autism SpectrumThe varying degrees of the disorder range
from individuals with severe mental impairments to less impaired individuals who may be socially inhibited, but capable of complete (and sometimes amazing) levels of brain activity
Savants“Savantism” is a rare condition in which
people with developmental disorders possess one or more areas of expertise in contrast with their disabilities and beyond that of a regular person
Only about 10% of people on the autistic spectrum are savants, but about 50% of all savants have some kind of autism spectrum disorder
A Savant in ActionStephen Wiltshire: The Human Camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8YXZTlwTAU&feature=related
Kim Peek: The Real Rain Man (no longer diagnosed as autistic)
Historical CasesThough there is not a definite consensus,
some noteworthy individuals who likely possessed an autism spectrum disorder include:Albert Einstein Ludwig van BeethovenWolfgang Amadeus MozartThomas JeffersonJames JoyceAdolph Hitler (you didn’t think they’d all be good did you?)
What causes Autism?Though scientists and doctors have no
concrete explanation for what causes Autism, it is generally believed that both genetics and the environment play a roleScientists have identified genes and trends
associated with AutismStudies may show environmental trends
associated with Autism (i.e. mercury exposure)Childhood Vaccines
TreatmentAlthough there is no cure for Autism, there
are ways to cope with the disease on a professional levelEducational/Behavioral Therapy
Used to develop social skillsMedications
Anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsiveness can be curtailed with prescription medication
TreatmentUltimately, it is the day-to-day life of an Autistic
individual that determines whether or not they can successfully cope with the disorderFamily EducationStructured, routine-based lifestyleSocial InteractionSocial Integration
With the right therapy and lifestyle, many Autistic individuals are fully capable of happy, successful lives with much to offer society
Awareness The number of ASD diagnoses is GROWING.
It is becoming more and more important for the public to learn about this condition that affects 1 in every 150 American children.
Though there is debate whether increased diagnoses is a result of new diagnosis techniques, it is generally believed that there is a real increase of ASD cases.
AwarenessAffects 1 in 150 birthsAffects 1 to 1.5 million AmericansFastest-growing developmental disability
with a 10 - 17 % annual growth$90 billion annual cost,90% of which is spent
in adult servicesCost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3
with early diagnosis and interventionIn 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400
billion
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