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Pervasive Development Disorders, what are they? Autistic Disorder (AD), High Functioning Autism(HFA) and Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) all fall under the collective heading of Pervasive Development Disorders (see Autism-DSM). Classic for all three variants is an impairment in social functioning. This includes an inability to read social clues such as body language, facial expressions, tone and inflection of voice and unwritten social rules or codes that others learn naturally through models, poor organizational skills, and self-stimulatory activities or ‘stimming’, such as hand flapping. Also, a very concrete interpretation of information, taking phrases such as, "she put her foot in her mouth", "he runs like the wind" or "he has an ace up his sleeve" very literally. A good article on identifying signs and symptoms of Autism can be found at http://www.nursingcenter.com/.These differences often leave the child ostracized and lonely with few if any playmates. It is important for the autistic child to be enrolled in social skills groups where the therapist is well trained and experienced in working with this disorder. This can be provided through the public education system or private sources. Role playing, social stories and social games used often and over an extensive period of time, targeting specific social skills systematically can train the autistic child in appropriate social interaction and interpretation. Classically, Autistic Disorder has a fascination with moving objects, collecting things-sometimes odd things such as saving every purchase receipt, and television. Autistics tend to be in their own world and wandering away can present a tremendous safety hazard. There are companies that have designed products to assist parents; Child Alarms and Wherify, Some will display echolalia, echoing what has been heard, either immediately or days later. Examples are reciting large amounts of movie dialogue or repeating an entire conversation heard days later, even if it appeared the child was not listening.The inability to organize one’s belongings or follow a sequence of steps can be improved through the use of graphic organizers to lay out the steps of an assignment or life activity, daily routines or behavior management goals can greatly relieve the stress this problem can cause. These websites offer really helpful graphic organizer options: Do2Learn, Graphic Organizers to Print, Eduplace.com, Library of Graphic Organizers. Somewhat related, rigidity in routine and difficulty with transition are also hallmark, requiring advance notice of transitions at step-down intervals in a countdown fashion.In autism, language disorders are almost always present; both receptive and expressive language disorder and auditory processing disorder. This child can be completely nonverbal or have varying degrees of speech substitutions and distortions. This requires quite intensive and extensive speech and language therapy. An interesting study, The Listening Project, reports great success in breaking the language barrier.Contrarily, Asperger’s is characterized by an absence of these language difficulties. As a matter of fact, the Asperger’s child usually has quite a broad vocabulary, often speaking well above the level of peers. He appears to be ‘the little professor’ or a virtual, walking encyclopedia. He also is typically fascinated with numbers and math. More detailed information on Asperger’s can be found at Tony Attwood and Aspie.com..Classic autism is often associated with mental retardation but this is not always the case. HFA typically presents with low-average to average intelligence measures and AS usually measures with high-average to high. This information can be helpful when assessing expectations of the child. Due to learning disorders and the social ineptness, many autistics are vastly underestimated in potential, greatly disservicing them. On the other hand, these same measures that can break the wall of low expectations can at the same time limit the child, boxing them into inaccurate and limiting services. Keeping a cautious view of these numbers, their application and limitations is helpful in keeping perspective. NIMH has a fantastic article that goes into great detail describing Autism. In severe to moderate degrees of impairment autism is usually identified while the child is very young. However, if the impairment is less severe or complicated with other disorders it can go undetected for years. While optimally it is best if treated from very early, there is still much success in treatment that begins later in life. Because early treatment crucial there is legal provision through a public education program called Child Find. There are a multitude of services through the public education system and access to them requires following a legal procedure that can sometimes be extremely frustrating and confusing.A few resources that may be of help in further understanding your Autistic or Asperger’s child are: OASIS, Autism Society of America, National Autistic Society. |
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