WHAT IS AUTISM?Autism impacts normal development of the

brain in areas of social interaction and communication skills.

Difficult to communicate with others and relate to the outside world.

Occasionally, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present.

BEHAVIOUR OF AUTISM AFFECTED PERSON

May exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking).

Unusual responses to peopleAttachment to objectsResistance to change in routineSensory sensitivities

TYPES OF AUTISM Autistic disorder Asperger’s disorder Pervasive developmental disorder Rett’s disorder Childhood disintegrative disorder

1. Autistic Disorder Impairments in social interaction,

communication, and imaginative play.Apparent before age 3.Also includes stereotyped behaviors,

interests, and activities

2. Asperger’s Disorder Impairments in social interactions, and

presence of restricted interests and activitiesNo clinically significant general delay in

languageAverage to above average intelligence

3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Often referred to as atypical autismUsed when a child does not meet the

criteria for a specific diagnosis, but there is severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors

4. Rett’s DisorderProgressive disorder which, to date, has

only occurred in girls.Period of normal development and then the

loss of previously acquired skillsAlso loss of purposeful use of hands, which

is replaced by repetitive hand movementsBeginning at age of 1-4 years

5. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Normal development for at least first 2 years

Then significant loss of previously acquired skills

CAUSES OF AUTISM

Good agreement in general that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain development, neurochemistry, and genetic factors

DIAGNOSISNo definitive medical testTeam uses interviews, observation, and

specific checklists developed for this purpose.

Team might include neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant etc.