Autism

What is Autism?

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder defined by qualitative impairments in social interaction, qualitative impairments in communication, and restricted repetitive and stereotyped behavior, interests or activities. It is of unknown etiology and occurs in approximately 1 in 150-200 individuals with a 4:1 male to female ratio. Autism has on onset prior to 3 years of age.

How is social interaction affected?

Children with autism can experience a wide range of impairments in social interaction including:

Marked impairment in multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye to eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
Failure to develop developmentally appropriate peers
Lack of spontaneous sharing of enjoyment, achievements, or interests with others
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

How is communication affected?

Children with autism can experience a wide range of impairments in communication including:

Qualitative impairments in communication
Delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language
In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
Stereotyped or repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
Lack of varied, spontaneous make believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

How is behavior affected?

Children with autism demonstrate a range of restricted repetitive and stereotyped behavior, interests or activities which can present as:

Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
Apparently inflexible adherence to specific nonfunctional routines or rituals
Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (eg. hand flapping)
Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Editions DSM-IV)

Glossary of Terms

ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder. A pervasive development disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication and atypical sensory needs.

FSCD - Family Support for Children with Disabilities. Department within the Children Services Ministry of the Provincial Government. FSCD has also been referred to as RCD (Resources for Children with Disabilities), SCD (Services for Children with Disabilities) and HCS (Handicapped Children’s Services).

IPP - Individualized Program Plan. The educational program plan developed by your school team to reflect goals your child is working on.

NTS - Natural Teaching Strategies. Teaching techniques that can be used to teach play, communication, social skills and self help skills in the setting that they normally occur.

DTT – Discrete Trial Teachings. A process to teach skills beginning with the smallest possible step and adding steps until the entire skill is learned.

NVCI - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. A number of strategies that can be used to deescalate crisis situations protecting both the child and the staff.

OT - Occupational Therapy. A specialized service to help your child develop fine and gross motor skills, self-help skills and self-regulation skills.

SLP - Speech and Language Pathology. A specialized service that helps your child to learn to communicate with others.

PT – Physical Therapy. A specialized service to help your child overcome physical challenges.