All about Autism
THE ANSWERS YOU MAY NEED
Beth Green
Questions
 What is Autism?
 Is there a treatment?
 What are the symptoms?
 What is the history of Autism?
 What is Social Stories?
What are the behavioral effects?
What are the social difficulties?
Autism is…
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a life long condition.
Autism is characterized by three distinctive behaviors:



Social interaction
Verbal and non-verbal communication
Repetitive behaviors
Autistic Spectrum: autism is not a one word condition, people
who have it all act differently compared to each other and
to the general population (Worth, p. 2).
Scientists are unsure what causes autism, but it is most likely
from genetics and the environment (Autism, par. 2).
Current research states that autism is caused by neurological
impairment affecting brain chemistry and/or brain
structure (Scheuermann, p. 2).
Treatment
Autism is a disorder without a cure
BUT,
There is therapy and interventions that help to
improve the child’s symptoms.
The earlier the intervention the better!
Treatment plans vary with the severity of the child’s
behavior and symptoms.
Social stories is a technique used to teach children in
the school setting to follow the story and lessons in
the story.
Characteristics
Classic Kranner Syndrome:
Inability to relate to others
Resistance to being picked up by parents
Excellent rote memory
Early specific food preferences
Extreme fear reactions to loud noises
Maintenance of sameness and obsessive repetitive behavior
Normal physical appearance
Categories of autism include behavioral excesses or
behavioral deficits; children may show behaviors that
disturbs others around them and can be dangerous by
aggression or self-abuse (Scheuermann, p. 5).
History
It is said to be that the characteristics of autism were
seen before the 20th century (Scheuermann,p. 2).
In 1943 a physician named Leo Kanner published a
description of common set of characteristics that
depicted their symptoms (Worth, p. 1).
In 1944 Hans Asperger published his findings which
added a few more observations to Kanners (Worth,
p. 1).


Motor clumsiness and lack of coordination
Relatively normal language development and abilities
Social Stories
Social Stories is a technique that was tested on
children to improve several social behaviors that
are very difficult to learn.
It is a three step process that starts with a story written
in large text on white paper with simple pictures of
no pictures (Nelson).
First the children listen to a story that relates to their targeted
behavior.
Second the children answer comprehension questions to
make sure of their understanding of the story.
Lastly the children role-play the main idea of the story
(Nelson).
Behaviors
Common Behavioral Deficits and Excesses:
Receptive language
Expressive language
Communicative intent
Social skills
Self-care skills
Compliance
Work skills
Eye contact
Academic skills
(Scheuermann, p. 6).
Tantrums
Screaming
Self-stimulation
Self-abuse
Aggression
Refusing to follow directions
As children learn communicative and functioning skills
difficult behavior should decrease.
Social Difficulties
Difficulties in : planning and organizing, generalizing skills
and learning, adapting to change, repetition of words or
actions, controlling impulses, and multi-tasking (Worth,
p. 12).
Range of social communication difficulties






Difficulties with understanding and using all non-verbal forms of communication, personal
space
Limited knowledge of conversational ‘rules’
Limited understanding of their own and other people’s feelings and emotions; restricted
empathy skills making them seem blunt and thoughtless
Limited understanding of the ‘short hand’ that we use in social contact
Different styles to talk to different people
Social encounters for example saying hello verses kicking someone
(worth, p. 13).
Works Cited
"Autism Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (NINDS)." National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/autism.html
Nelson, Samantha "Social Stories Help Children with Autism."
Behavior Analysis Digest International 21.2 (2009): 7. Academic
Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 16 Nov. 2009.
Scheuermann, Brenda, and Jo Webber. Autism: Teaching Does Make a
Difference. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2001. Print.
Worth, Sarah. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Sen). New York: Continuum
International Publishing Group, 2006. Print.