What is it?
A group of related conditions charactrized by the absence or severe impairment of two-way verbal or non-verbal social interaction, and an inability to use imagination. Activies are dominated by repetitive and stereotypical actions and routines. Autism is classified as a "Pervasive Developmental Disorder" (PDD). PDD is the 'umbrella term' used to cover all autistic and autistic-like disorders.
Cause:
Presently, there is no known cause.
Characteristics:
Language and Vocal Characteristics:
The child MAY:
- lack nonverbal communication skills such as nodding, gesturing, or facial expression.
- exhibit unusual responses to sound.
- have little or no language.
- use more nonverbal than verbal language, eg. pulling a person to a place to get a desired object.
- lack emotional tone, even when crying.
- not respond to verbal communication.
- echo words that others have said, immediately, or from something heard previously (immediate echolalia vs. delayed echolalia)
- have stereotyped, repetitive use of words and/or phrases.
- lack intonation; voice tone if flat or without expressive quality.
- lack functional social language (as used in initiating and maintaining conversation).
Physical Behaviours:
The child MAY:
- be unable to imitate others' actions or sounds.
- exhibit ritualistic movement; hand flapping, spinning objects, rocking rhythmically, and so on.
- walk on his toes or the balls of his feet.
- show little or no response or be overly dramatic in response to pain, hot or cold temperatures, or temperature changes.
- be self-abusive: hitting, scratching, biting or banging self.
- respond unusually to human touch, eg. avoid cuddling but gets enjoyment out of roughhousing.
- have poor gross and/or fine motor coordination.
- often be healthy and physically attractive in appearance.
- have perceptual/spatial problems, eg. spatial but no depth perception
- be hyperactive or hypoactive.
Social Adaptive Behaviours:
The child MAY:
- have little, inappropriate, or no eye contact; use a fixed or averted gaze.
- respond inappropriately to situations, eg. laugh when scolded or hurt.
- use toys in repetitive, stereotypic ways, such as using one toy or type of toy, repeating one motion over and over.
- fixate onto one color, object or texture.
- resist or be very upset by change in schedule, placement of furniture, and so on.
- appear slow to develop relationships with familiar adults.
- lack imaginative play skills and have little appropriate interaction with other children.
- eat non-edible substances.
- not exhibit sympathy for or insight into other's feelings.
- be aggressive and/or have destructive behaviours.
- have temper tantrums and scream and/or cry for no apparent reason.
Pre-Academic/Academic Learning StylesThe child MAY:
- be intellectually slow or of average, or above average intelligence.
- have good rote memory for visual/spatial material.
- have special skills in arithmetic.
- have special skills in music.
- repeat the same question or topic many times (in succession).
Which one of these kids has Autism? Think about that when you see a child acting "funny" or "different". He/She looks just like you and me, even though he/she may act in a different way than you or I. But always remember, people are people regardless of "special need".
Resources:
- Local
- Associations Autism services (canada), Organizations, and Societies for autistic children and their parents, services through clinic and hospital outservice clinics, boards of education, autism resources.
Canada United States Autism Society Canada National Society for Children and Adults with Autism 20 College Street, Suite 2 (National Society for the Autistic Child) Toronto, Ontario NSAC M5G 1K2 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 1017 (416) 924-4189 Washington, D.C. 20005-4599 (202) 783-0125 Geneva Center 250 Davisville Avenue, Suite 200 Toronto, Ontario M4S 1H2 (416) 322-7877 - Web Links
Autism/PDD Resources for children who have autism. Includes key issues in autism such as Facilitated Communication and special education, with links to kids'camps and more. The Autism Depot A parent's resource site on autism - includes links to IRC sites, WWW sites, books, organizations, and more! FAQ - Autism Frequently asked questions about Autism - maintained by the Autism Society of America PDD Support Page Site for people learning about PDD/Autism, coping with PDD/Autism. Includes links for information on PDD. This site is devoted specifically to PDD. Recovery Zone Site devoted to behaviour techniques used with children who have Autism. Includes various sites to Autism resources on the web. Kerry's Place A social service non-charitable organization for people with Autism. Situated in Aurora, Ontario. A Circle of Children Residential services for children who have autism. Situated in the greater Toronto Area. - More to come...
- Associations Autism services (canada), Organizations, and Societies for autistic children and their parents, services through clinic and hospital outservice clinics, boards of education, autism resources.
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