LIVING WITH AUTISMTaryn Silcott

Informational Literacy 230John Kaucher, M.A.December 6, 2008

I. What is Autism?

A. Complete developmental disorder

B. Appears in the first 3 years of life

C. Affects the brain’s normal development

II. Common Features

A. Impaired social interactions

B. Impaired verbal and nonverbal

C. Problems processing information from the senses

III. Levels of Severity

A. Autism

B. Asperger’s disorder

C. Pervasive development disorder

IV. What are the possible causes of Autism?

A. Physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain

B. Exact causes are unknown

C. Combination of factors

V. Is there a correlation between Autism and Childhood Immunizations?

A. Does the MMR vaccine cause Autism?

B. Autism has increased steadily since about the same time the MMR vaccine was introduced

C. Coincidence is believed to be due to the age of the child at the time the MMR vaccine is given

D. Several studies show no connection between MMR vaccine and Autism

VI. Regressive form of Autism

A. Tend to start showing symtoms around the same time MMR vaccine is given

B. Regressive Autism develops after a period of normal development

VII. Teaching children with Autism

To Summarize

Autism is a developmental disorder appearing at about 3 years of age, affecting the brain’s normal development.

Affects the development of communication, social, cognitive, sensory and motor skills. Just like children with normal abilities each child has his/her own way of learning.

Parents are their most important teacher. As with any preschooler they learn though play

With young children pictures work well.As they get older and begin to read you can use charts and lists showing steps.

Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics CenterDisease Control and PreventionAutisminsperation.comKanner (1943) Educating Children with Autism Dawson et al.,1990; Sigman and Ruskin,1999;

Stone et al.,1997; Wetherbyet al.,1998Educating Children with AutismDev.egloballibrary.com(McClannahan and Krantz,1999) Visual

Supports for People with Autism

Children are our greatest resource