narpaa e-class module 1 - what is autism?

8/6/2019 NARPAA E-Class Module 1 - What is Autism?

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National Association ofResidential Providers for Adults

with Autism

NARPAA ECLASS

Autism Education for DirectCare Staff

www.narpaa.org


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MODULE ONE

WHAT IS AUTISM?

www.narpaa.org


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MODULE ONE

As a result of completion of this module,

the participant will be able to:

Identify facts related to Autism. Define the meaning of a Spectrum

disorder.

Explain the ways in which diagnosisoccurs.


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AUTISM

Autism is a brain disorder that severely impacts the

way sensory input is processed, causing

problems with communication, social behavior,

and irregularities in learning. Autism is adevelopmental disability that typically appears

during the first three years of life.


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AUTISM

Autism affects four times as many boys as girls,

and is found in families of all races, religions, and

social classes. Autism is one of the most

prevalent developmental disabilities, affectingone in 110 births. Most, but not all individuals

with Autism, have some degree of mental

retardation and many will develop epilepsy


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AUTISM IS A SPECTRUM DISORDER

The symptoms and characteristics of autismcan present themselves in a wide variety ofcombinations, from mild to severe. Although

Autism is defined by a certain set ofbehaviors, children and adults can exhibitany combination of the behaviors in anydegree of severity.

(Autism Society of America)


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AUTISM IS A SPECTRUM DISORDER

Two people, both with the same diagnosis, canact very differently from one another andhave varying skills


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HOW AUTISM IS DIAGNOSED

Internationally, many professionals utilize both the AmericanPsychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4thEd. TR (DSM-IV-TR) or the International Statistical Classificationof Diseases (ISCD-10). Autistic disorder is one of five disorders

that fall under the category of Pervasive DevelopmentalDisorders as defined in the DSM-IV TR manual. Four additionalautism related disorders are included in the PervasiveDevelopmental Disorder spectrum: Aspergers Disorder, RettsDisorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and PervasiveDevelopmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV-TRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICD-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICD-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV-TR


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The ICD-10 also uses the Pervasive Developmental

Disorder category and includes four additional

disorders. It is the set of pervasive developmental

disorders that is most typically referred to as autismspectrum disorders (ASD). ASD is a descriptive term

that illustrates the varying combinations of

symptoms that an individual with autism may

display.


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In regard to specific items for meeting criteria

for an autism related diagnosis, the American

Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic andStatistical Manual, 4th Ed. IV TR and the

ISCD-10 are quite similar


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SOCIAL INTERACTION

Qualitative impairment in social interaction,

which includes marked impairment in

nonverbal behavior used to regulate social

interaction, failure to develop peer

relationships, lack of shared enjoyment, and

lack of social or emotional reciprocity


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COMMUNICATION

Qualitative impairment in communication,

which includes delay in or total lack of

language development not accompanied by

attempts to compensate, impairment in social

imitative or imaginative play, and with

individuals that do develop languageimpairment in initiating or sustaining a

conversation as well as potential repetitive

use of language


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RESTRICTED, REPETITIVE

STEREOTYPED BEHAVIOR,INTERESTS, AND ACTIVITIES

Restricted, repetitive, stereotyped behavior,

interests, and activities, which include

encompassing preoccupation, inflexible

adherence to nonfunctional routines or

rituals, stereotyped or repetitive motormannerisms, attachments to unusual objects,

and preoccupation with parts of objects.


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HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED

In evaluating a child, clinicians rely on

behavioral characteristics to make a

diagnosis. Some of the characteristic

behaviors of ASD may be apparent in the firstfew months of a child's life, or they may

appear at any time during the early years. For

the diagnosis, problems in at least one of the

areas of communication, socialization, orrestricted behavior must be present before

the age of 3. The diagnosis requires a two-

stage process.


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STAGE ONE

The first stage involves developmental

screening during "well child" check-ups.


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STAGE TWO

The second stage of diagnosis must be

comprehensive in order to accurately rule in

or rule out Autism or other developmental

problems. This evaluation may be done by a

multidisciplinary team that includes a

psychologist, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, aspeech therapist, or other professionals who

diagnose children with Autism.


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STAGE TWO

Because Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are

complex and may involve other neurological

or genetic problems, a comprehensive

evaluation can include such elements as,

neurological and genetic assessment, along

with in-depth cognitive and language testing.In addition, measures developed specifically

for diagnosing Autism are often used.

Examples of these include:


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STAGE TWO

The Autism Diagnosis Interview-Revised (ADI-

R). The ADI-R is a structured interview that

contains over 100 items and is conducted

with a caregiver. It consists of four main

factors-the child's communication, social

interaction, repetitive behaviors, and age-of-onset symptoms.


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STAGE TWO

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

(ADOS-G). The ADOS-G is an observational

measure used to "press" for socio-

communicative behaviors that are often

delayed, abnormal, or absent in people with

ASD.

narpaa e-class module 1 - what is autism?

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