General Autism StandardsDomain 1: Standards 1-4

Overview: This module will provide learners with the general characteristics of autism associated with standards 1-4 in domain 1

1

In this Module, Participants Will Learn:

• The range characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

• The impact of ASD on learning and functioning

• How ASD affects the ability to communicate and socialize with others

2

What is “ASD”?• Autism Spectrum Disorders• A Developmental Disability caused by brain

differences• Believe to effect about 1 in 88 people• Treatable, but not curable• Ranges from very mild symptoms to very severe -

a ”spectrum disorder”

• 4 out of 5 people diagnosed with autism are male

S1

The Characteristics of ASD

• Impairments in language and communication, and social interaction

• Repetitive behaviors and compulsivity

S1

Impairments inLanguage and Communication

Speech might sound like a script from a movie or TV show

Speech sounds strange, too loud or soft

Difficulty with speaking- might talk too much, not enough, or not at all

Difficulty understanding directions and might misunderstand you

Doesn’t understand idioms, metaphors, sarcasm, and abstract language

Echolalia (repeats certain words or phrases)

S1

Impairments in Social Interaction Skills

Difficulty with:

o Making and keeping friends

o Understanding how and when to act a certain way

o Having conversations

o Understanding other points of view (“Theory of Mind”)

o Fitting in and being “cool”

o Turn-taking

o The “unwritten rules”

Insert video of unwrtitten rules

S1

7

Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors

• Stereotypic or self-stimulatory behaviors, such as rocking, humming, hand flapping, and twirling

• Unusual or limited interests

• Need to place items in a particular order

• Strong need to do a certain behavior

• Need to do the same thing, in the same way, over and over again

S1

8

Common Characteristics of ASD: Some additional symptoms:

• Difficulty with change• Avoids eye contact• Good at some skills, but not others

• Motor skill deficits• Sensory differences

• Eloping/wandering

S2

ASD and Sensory Issues• Unusual responses to sensory stimuli.• Hyper (over) or hypo (under) sensitive to one or more senses• Something that mildly annoys most people may cause pain in

someone with ASD• Can make paying attention difficult

Affected Senses:

Auditory (Hearing) Olfactory (Smell)Tactile (Touch) Visual (Seeing)Vestibular (Balance) Gustatory (Taste) Proprioceptive (Gross motor)

S2 S3

Safety and Medical IssuesSome people with ASD may be diagnosed with additional medical and psychological problems,

including:• Seizures• Poor muscle control• Gastro-intestinal problems• Ear infections• Sleep problems• Anxiety disorder• Pica (eating non-edible objects)• Abnormal pain tolerance• Intellectual disabilities

Some students with ASD are not aware of or afraid of dangerous situations, such as traffic, water, and fire

S2 S4

Asperger’s Syndrome• One type of Autism Spectrum Disorder

• People who have it may be very intelligent and have milder symptoms than others with autism

• First diagnosed in the United States in 1989; now most commonly diagnosed form of ASD

•Students with Asperger’s Syndrome may need training and support with pragmatic language, social skills, and organization skills in order to be successful in school and life

• Named for Dr. Hans Asperger, who first described it in 1942

“2E”

S4

Classic or “Kanner” autism

• Students with more significant forms of autism may have cognitive skills that range from deficient to average

• May not speak until older or may communicate differently throughout life

• May need more support with every day life- skills throughout life

• First described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1942

S4

Problems that may occur in the classroom

• Difficult understanding and following directions

• Distractibility

• “Inappropriate” behavior

• Difficulty getting along with peers

• Difficulty with changes in routine or schedule S3

14

Problems in the community:• Socially inappropriate for particular setting

• Behaviors that are not appropriate for the person’s age or setting

• Problems adjusting to sensory stimuli and unfamiliar setting

• Problems getting and keeping a job

S3

Executive Functioning

• Executive functioning is being in control over your mind and body

• Deficits with executive functioning can cause difficulty with: • Self-regulation• Organization• Planning what to do next• Problem -solving

S3

Good things about having ASD

Able to see and remember details

Can stay focused on something you enjoy for a long time

Solve problems in a new and creative way

People with ASD can be REALLY good at things they enjoy

Honest and direct communicators

Friends with ASD are loyal and interesting!

S4

Many people diagnosed with or thought to have ASD have achieved great success

Temple Grandin

Albert Einstein

Craig Nicholls

Heather Kuznich

Shigeru Miyamoto

Steven Spielberg

Bill Gates

Satoshi TajiriDaryl Hannah

Stephen Wiltshire

S4

Glossary of Terms• ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Executive Functioning: Control over your mind and body

• Echolalia: Repeating a word, sound, or phrase that the person has heard, without conveying the meaning of the word

• Developmental Disability: A disability that occurs in someone before, during, or just after birth that affects their ability to learn and grow at the same rate as typical children

• Pragmatic Language: Communication that people use to socialize with other people (such as facial expressions, conversations, tone of voice)

• Repetitive Behavior: Behavior that someone does over and over again, such as playing with only one toy

• Self-Regulation: The ability to calm down or become more focused

• Stereotypic/ Self-Stimulatory Behavior: Behaviors that people who engage in to help them calm down or become more focused, such as repeatedly clicking a pen or flapping hands

• Theory of Mind: The ability to take the perspective of someone else and predict how they may feel or act

• Unwritten rules: The rules of society that people usually seem to learn on their own, such as where to stand in an elevator or restroom manners. These changes with different ages and groups of people 18

Assessment for Standards 1-41. Which is NOT a characteristic of autism?a) Communication difficultiesb) Social skill difficultiesc) Repetitive thoughts and behaviorsd) Being gifted in mathematics

2. True or False: Most individuals with ASD are very sensitive to noises, smells, textures, touch, taste, or movement

3. If your student has problems with their executive functioning, then they may have difficulty with

a) Organizing their belongingsb) Readingc) Making friends

4. True or False: Students with ASD have intellectual abilities that range from deficient to above average

19