“It’s Greek to Me!”

An Informative Overview of Autism

by

Amy Lee

Autism comes from the

Greek word “autos”which

means self

First identified in 1943 by Leo Kanner

Autism Society of AmericaDefines Autism

• Essential features appear prior to 30 months

• Disturbances in the following areas:– developmental rates or sequences– responses to sensory stimulation– speech, language, & cognitive capacities– capacities to relate to people, events &

objects

Researchers Lovaas & Newsome

provide a graphic description

of observed characteristics

Apparent Sensory Deficit

We may move directly in front of

the child, smile, and talk to him,

yet he will act as if no one is there.

Severe Affect IsolationAttempts to love and cuddle and show affection to the child with

Autism encounter profound lack of

interest on the child’s part

Self-StimulationA most striking kind of behavior in

these children centers on very repetitive, stereotyped acts, such as

rocking , back and forth while sitting, flapping their hands at the wrist,

humming 3 or 4 notes over and over, or gazing at lights or spinning objects

Tantrums and Self-Mutilation

Autistic children may bite their own hands, bang their heads, or beat

themselves in the face.

Echolalic and Psychotic Speech

Speech may be echoes of other people’s attempts to speak to them or they may hum or utter simple words.

Behavior Deficiencies

The Autistic child has few self-help skills. He may not play with toys but

rather put them in his mouth or tap them with his fingers. He has no

sense of common dangers.

What causes Autism?

It has been determined that Autism is a

biologically based disorder correlated with several secondary conditions ,

none of which can in itself fully explain Autism.

Infectious Diseases

Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomeglavirus, and

herpes are considered the

TORCH infections.

Neurobiological Findings

Microscopic examination of the brain reveals a number of common abnormalities in the limbic system, cerebellum,

and cerebellar circuits

Neurochemical Research

Identification of high levels of serotonin - a neurotransmitter

in children with Autism

A HandoutBehavioral Characteristics

of Autismby the APA, 1994

To receive a diagnosis of Autism, an individual must

exhibit at least SIX of the characteristics on your list,

with at least TWO impairments in social interaction,

at least ONE impairment in communication, and at

least ONE restricted, repetitive behavior or interest.

References

Delacato , Carl H. (1974). The Ultimate Stranger,

Academic Therapy Publications, Novato, CA.

Heward, William L. (1995). Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education (5th Edition), Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Holmes, David L. (1988). Autism Through the Lifespan. The Eden Model, Woodbine House, Bethesda, MD.