Brittany Douville Meagan Ellsworth Addison Reed. What is Autism? Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate.

AutismBrittany Douville

Meagan EllsworthAddison Reed

What is Autism?Autism is a complex developmental disability

that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others

Signs of Autism are usually visible within the first three years of a person’s life

Characteristics Impaired ability to make friends with peers

Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

Absence or impairment of imaginative and social play

Stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language

Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus

Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects

Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals

The Autism SpectrumAutism, like many other neurological disorders,

takes many forms

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent a wide range of psychological conditions illustrated by varying degrees of social inhibitions, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior

It is important to remember that not all disorders on the spectrum have the same cause, but they do share similar characteristics

The Autism SpectrumThe varying degrees of the disorder range

from individuals with severe mental impairments to less impaired individuals who may be socially inhibited, but capable of complete (and sometimes amazing) levels of brain activity

Savants“Savantism” is a rare condition in which

people with developmental disorders possess one or more areas of expertise in contrast with their disabilities and beyond that of a regular person

Only about 10% of people on the autistic spectrum are savants, but about 50% of all savants have some kind of autism spectrum disorder

A Savant in ActionStephen Wiltshire: The Human Camera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8YXZTlwTAU&feature=related

Kim Peek: The Real Rain Man (no longer diagnosed as autistic)

Historical CasesThough there is not a definite consensus,

some noteworthy individuals who likely possessed an autism spectrum disorder include:Albert Einstein Ludwig van BeethovenWolfgang Amadeus MozartThomas JeffersonJames JoyceAdolph Hitler (you didn’t think they’d all be good did you?)

What causes Autism?Though scientists and doctors have no

concrete explanation for what causes Autism, it is generally believed that both genetics and the environment play a roleScientists have identified genes and trends

associated with AutismStudies may show environmental trends

associated with Autism (i.e. mercury exposure)Childhood Vaccines

TreatmentAlthough there is no cure for Autism, there

are ways to cope with the disease on a professional levelEducational/Behavioral Therapy

Used to develop social skillsMedications

Anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsiveness can be curtailed with prescription medication

TreatmentUltimately, it is the day-to-day life of an

Autistic individual that determines whether or not they can successfully cope with the disorderFamily EducationStructured, routine-based lifestyleSocial InteractionSocial Integration

With the right therapy and lifestyle, many Autistic individuals are fully capable of happy, successful lives with much to offer society

Awareness The number of ASD diagnoses is GROWING.

It is becoming more and more important for the public to learn about this condition that affects 1 in every 150 American children.

Though there is debate whether increased diagnoses is a result of new diagnosis techniques, it is generally believed that there is a real increase of ASD cases.

AwarenessAffects 1 in 150 birthsAffects 1 to 1.5 million AmericansFastest-growing developmental disability

with a 10 - 17 % annual growth$90 billion annual cost,90% of which is spent

in adult servicesCost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3

with early diagnosis and interventionIn 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400

billion