how autism affects communication contemporary health ii spring 2014
TRANSCRIPT
What is Autism?
“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges” (CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorder, para.1, 2014).
How Common is Autism?ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S.
Rates have increased from 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years
1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United states
Signs and SymptomsAvoid eye contact
Want to be alone
Not responding to their name
Have trouble talking about their own feelings
Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words and motions
Repeat actions over and over again
Diagnosis
Doctors look at the children's behavior and development to make a diagnosis
A diagnostic evaluation involves a team of doctors that include: a pediatrician, psychologist, speech and language pathologist and occupational therapist
ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger
Causes and Risk FactorsEnvironmental, biological and genetic factors are some factors that make a child more likely to have an ASD
Children who have a sibling with ASD are at a higher risk of also having ASD
Children born to older parents are at a greater risk of having ASD
Prescription drugs valproic acid and thalidomide have been linked with higher risk of ASD
ASD tends to occur more often in people who have certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis
How does autism affect communication? Children with ASD, communication development happens differently and more slowly
Children with ASD might be more interested in environmental sounds like the whirring of a fan or vacuum than the sound of people talking
Children with autism might imitate whole sentences without always understanding the meaning of the things they are saying
Language use and behaviors that are often
found in children with ASD:
Repetitive or rigid language
Echolalia-the uncontrollable and immediate repetition of words spoken by another person
Narrow interests and exceptional abilities
Approximately 10 percent of children with ASD show extremely high abilities in specific areas, such as music or math.
Uneven language development
Poor nonverbal conversation skills
How are the speech and language
problems of ASD treated?
Speech-language therapy
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Occupational Therapy
Sensory Integration Therapy
Sources
“Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 09 Apr. 2014. Wed. 11 Apr. 2014.
“What is Autism?” Autism Speaks. N.p., n.d. Wed. 14 Apr.2014. <http://ww.autismspeaks.org/ what-autism>.
“What Treatments Are Available for Speech, Language and Motor Issues?” Autism Speaks. N.p., n.d Web. 13 Par. 2014 <http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/what-treatments-are-available-speech-language-and-motor-imaitments>.