Definition:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts social, speech, behavioral and motor skills. It is a spectrum disorder meaning it varies from person to person. No two people have the same symptoms. It is estimated that 1% of the population is diagnosed with autism.

Awareness Day: April 1st World Autism Day

Awareness Month: April

Names Known By:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Aspie
• Aspergers
• ASD
• Autistic
• Neurodiversity

Autism Ribbon: The autism ribbon continues to evolve as a symbol representing people with autism. The puzzle piece was first used in 1963 by a parent and board member of the National Autistic Society in London indicating the puzzling, confusing nature of autism. In 1999, the puzzle piece ribbon was adopted as the universal sign of autism awareness by the Autistic Society reflecting the complexity of the autism spectrum. Overtime both the puzzle and ribbon have become a symbol for seeing autism as something that is puzzling and needs to be fixed rather than acceptance. Many in the autistic community prefer a more positive symbol such as the infinity loop which is used as a symbol for acceptance rather than awareness. You can read more on the history of ribbon on this article entitled: The ableist history of the puzzle piece symbol for autism

Prevalence

About 1 in 40 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

1 in 42 boys are diagnosed with autism

1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism

100 individuals are diagnosed everyday

ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

ASD is 4 times more common among boys than girls.

Studies in Asia, Europe, and North American have idendified individuals with ASD  with an average prevalence of between 1% and 2%.

About 1 in 6 children diagnosed with autism also have a developmental disability.

Parents who have a child with ASD have a 2%-18% chance of having a second child diagnosed with autism

Almost half (44%) of children diagnosed with ASD has average to above average intellectual ability.

ASD commonly co-occurs with other developmental, psychiatric, neurological, chromosomal and genetic diagnoses.

Facts

Children and adults with Autism have significant problems in socializing with others, emotions, intense preoccupation with one or two topics, repetitive routines and motor skills.

Tend to be sensitive to sensations of sound, light or touch.

It is a common myth that autistic children can perform amazing skills such as memorizing birthdays and telephone numbers.

30% of autistic children have a seizure disorder

40% of children with autism do not speak

25-30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months, and then lose them.

Between 60% and 80% of children with ASD have a sleep-related disorder

Females tend to be more likely to show accompany intellectual disabilities.

Studies show that parents notice a developmental problem before the child’s first birthday

Lorna Wing, a psychiatrist and mother of a child with autism termed the word Autism Spectrum to describe a concept of complexities rather than a straight line from severe to mild.

Victor Lotter was the first person to  measure the prevalence of autism in a population.

Stimming

• It is also prevalent among people on the autism spectrum.
• In fact in many cases, it is part of the diagnosis due to the repetition of stimming.
• Stimming is often used as a means to self-regulate, self-calm and for self-expression.
• The movements are repetitive and are used to self-stimulate the 7 senses.
• It is often described as a repetitive motor behavior that can disrupt academic and social and other activities.
• One of the theories behind stimming is that beta-endorphrins are released in the brain casuing an euphoric feeling which is generally a response to pain.
• Stimming behavior. based for self-soothing and to help a child or an adult regain emotional balance.
• Sensory Overload. Too much sensory information can lead to stress, anxiety and eventually a meltdown.

Wandering Statistics

• Nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior
• Increased risks are associated with autism severity
• More than one third of children with autism who wander/elope are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address, or phone number
• Half of families report they have never received advice or guidance about elopement from a professional
• Accidental drowning accounts for 71% of lethal outcomes, followed by traffic injuries at 18%
• Other dangers include dehydration; heat stroke; hypothermia; falls; physical restraint; encounters with strangers
• Accidental drowning accounted for 91% total U.S. deaths reported in children with autism due to wandering.

Articles

Teaching Resources

Articles

Autism and Visual Impairment

Epilepsy and Autism

Self-Regulation and Autism