Author: Katie Farnsworth

Psychosocial
Interventions

Intensive curriculum to work on social interactions, imitation, play, and language
Programs to work on regaining loss of speech and motor skills
Teaching strategies involving a high level of support from staff or guardian
Family therapy with parents or legal guardian
Use of coping skills to reduce problem behaviors
Careful transitioning to groups

References

Cicchetti, D. (2006). Risk,
Disorder, and Adaptation.
Developmental
Psychopathology, 3(2). Retrieved August 3, 2011

For more information visit:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/
http://www.autism-society.org/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/
autism/detail_autism.htm

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Katie Farnsworth

An Informational Brochure

What is Autism, and What Are the Five Types?

How Does Autism Develop?

Autism is a psychiatric disorder that involves impaired social interactions and communication through three types of behaviors. These involve: atypical body movements, difficulty relating to others, and the failure to share interests with others. Depending on the type of Autism, these behaviors can be experienced in a variety of ways, and may not all be displayed in every single case. The five types of Autism will be discussed individually:
Autistic Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria: six symptoms across the three domains of functioning, two in impaired social interactions, one in communication, and one in restricted interests and behaviors
Delays in these domains of functioning must be present before the age of 3
Must be able to rule out all other developmental disorders
Asperger’s
Diagnostic Criteria: two symptoms of impaired social interactions, and one in restricted interests and behaviors
Intact language skills, but socially awkward
Higher functioning than A.D.
Rett’s Disorder
Present only in females
Normal early development, gradual loss of speech and motor skills
Severe psychomotor and mental retardation
Severe language impairment

Child Disintegrative Disorder
Regression in several areas of functioning between the ages of 2-10
Loss of acquired skills such as language, social skills, bowel/ bladder control, play, and motor skills
Demonstrate impairments in two of the three domains of functioning
Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)
Clinically significant impairments in domains of functioning, but too few to be diagnosed with the other disorders
Varying levels of ability to function
*All of these are often comorbid with*
-ADHD, OCD, Tic Disorders, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, Depression, and Seizure Disorders

Genetic Factors:
Higher concordance rate in MZ twins
Likelihood of having a second child with this disorder is 4.5%
Mostly unknown genetic factors

Environmental Factors:
Exposure to infectious diseases in utero may increase risk of Autism by adding to other factors such as genetic predisposition
Gestation period of 42 weeks +
Teratogenic exposure to thalidomide