Spectrum Autism

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A group of different disorders that infers with braindevelopment by affecting how the brain processesinformation.

sometimes called pervasive developmental disorders(PDDs)

Consists of Five Disorders Autistic disorder (classic autism)

Asperger syndrome Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwisespecified (PDD-NOS)

Rett syndrome Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).

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No known cause

Genetic Problems Depending on the gene, a child may be more susceptible

to the disorder Can affect the way brain cells communicate Can affect the severity of the symptoms

Environmental Problems

Causes many other health problems Investigating whether or not can trigger autism (ie. air

pollutants and viral infections)

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No reliable study has shown a link betweenthe MMR vaccine and autism

Avoiding vaccines can place a person at riskfor catching serious diseases

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In order to be diagnosed with autism, they mustmeet the symptom criteria in the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

published by the American PsychiatricAssociation.

Must have six or more of the followingsymptoms, and two or more of those symptomsmust fall under the social skills category.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVgPlURSad8

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Autism commonly can cause problems inthese three areas:

Social interaction Language Behavior

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Hyperactivity Atypical behavior Withdrawal Depression Avoids eye-contact Prefers to be alone Does not share interests with others Only interacts to achieve a desired goal

Has flat or inappropriate facial expressions Does not understand personal space boundaries Avoids or resists physical contact Is not comforted by others during distress Unaware of others feelings

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Mutism or has delayed speech Echolalia Loses previously acquired ability to say words or

sentences Doesn't make eye contact when making requests Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm may use a

singsong voice or robot-like speech Doesn't appear to understand simple questions or

directions or gives unrelated answers to questions

Reverses pronouns (e.g., says "you" instead of "I") Does not point or respond to pointing Uses few or no gestures (e.g., does not wave goodbye) Does not understand jokes, sarcasm, or teasing

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Stimming Develops specific routines or rituals and

becomes disturbed at the slightest change Moves constantly May be fascinated by details of an object,

such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, butdoesn't understand the "big picture" of thesubject

May be unusually sensitive to light, sound andtouch, and yet unconscious to pain;synaesthesia

Does not engage in imitative May have odd food preferences, such as

eating only a few foods, or PICA. May perform activities that could cause self-

harm, such as head banging.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7fdv1q9-m8

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6 months

No big smiles or warm, joyful expressions

9 months

No back and forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or facial

expressions.12 months

No consistent response to his/her name

No babbling

No back and forth gestures, such as pointing showing,

reaching, waving, or three-pronged gaze16 months

No spoken words

24 months

No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitation or

repeating)

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No cure for autism Intensive, early treatment can make a big

difference in the lives of many children withthe disorder. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=end

screen&v=s5zjmKzc1Kc&NR=1