Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role Of The Individualized Education Program Team

                

 

The fastest growing diagnosis within the disability of Pervasive Developmental Disorders is Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder are from all socioeconomic groups, as well as cultural, racial, and ethnic populations. More students with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be found in every community and neighborhood due to the increased identification of the disorder. Estimated annual cost of educating and caring for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is to be around 90 billion dollars according to the Autism Society of America. Early diagnosis and intervention is a key factor in reducing treatment costs by two-thirds.

There are five related developmental disorders placed under the umbrella category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. They include:

1.Autism Spectrum Disorder
2.Asperger?s Syndrome
3.Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
4.Rett?s
5.Pervasive Developmental Disorder ? Not Otherwise Specified

Specific Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorder

?Autism Spectrum Disorder affects the neurodevelopment system. The results are distinct learning and behavior characteristics
?Autism Spectrum Disorder has an underlying biological/genetic cause that produces organic and/or physical changes during brain development. This results in atypical cognitive and social development and behaviors
?Autism Spectrum Disorder affects individuals uniquely
?Autism Spectrum Disorder does not result from poor parenting
?Autism Spectrum Disorder affects the individual?s ability to integrate sensory information and regulate their emotions

There are five deficit areas to consider as diagnostic criteria for identifying individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, they are:

1.Communication
2.Socialization/Social skills
3.Restricted interests
4.Sensory integration
5.Behavior

Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder exhibit varying degrees of difficulties in these five areas.

Recent research shows students with Autism Spectrum Disorder exhibit the same early symptoms that include:

?Lack of eye contact
?Lack of joint attention (attention to the same item or topic as another person)
?Atypical sensory/motor processing

Goals and Objectives for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The general education teacher must ensure that students with Autism Spectrum Disorder have goals and objectives designed to promote the development of independent living, academic skills, and appropriate social behaviors and skills.

It is essential that these goals be introduced early and addressed annually in the individualized education program. If these goals are not addressed until the child reaches secondary school, there is a higher potential for many students with Autism Spectrum Disorder leaving school not able to live independently, succeed academically or be gainfully employed.

In order to help provide a smooth transition to a post-high school setting, the responsibilities of the IEP (individualized education program) team may include:

?Developing goals and short-term objectives that promote self-monitoring and independent living skills

Secondary individualized education program teams have the responsibility to identify the long-term supports these students will require for academic, economic and social independence. They must ensure students with Autism Spectrum Disorder have long-term goals that specify the need for explicit instruction in the essential social skills necessary for all post-secondary academic, social, and/or vocational settings. Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder must be given multiple opportunities in a variety of social, academic, and vocational contexts to practice these skills.

Of highest priority is ensuring that students with Autism Spectrum Disorder acquire the essential social and daily living skills they need for a responsible integration into the community.

Transition Goals and Objectives of the Individualized Education Program team may include:

?Providing students with Autism Spectrum Disorder vocational and career exploration
?Experiences to assist them with learning which careers or college majors can accommodate their uneven academic and/or social development while at the same time utilizing their unique abilities and interests
?Opportunities to acquire vocational and/or work-related behaviors and skills required for successful employment and/or educational settings

Source: The Autism Society of America

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Written by: Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.about-autism.info for more information about Autism Spectrum Disorder

Understanding Autism Statistics

                

 

It would seem there are more alarming autism statistics each year. These are often hard to comprehend, and can be very misleading if you don?t understand what you are reading. Autism is a blanket term for quite a few different conditions that are all related, yet vary in degree of function.

Asperger?s is a relatively new term that covers a wide range of higher functioning children and adults. This is something that is relatively new, and people are now just getting the proper diagnosis. Though it would seem that the numbers of those with autism is rising almost out of control, it may be that diagnosis has been wrong in the past, and it is now easier to make the proper one.

If you go by the number presented in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 150 births will result in autistic children. This number seems scary, but the actually cases are probably about the same as before, but many others just were not known or could not be diagnosed. Some of these children had never been seen by a doctor, and many grew into adulthood with a different but wrong diagnosis. They may have been living with autism, but they were thought of as introverted, troubled or disruptive.

If you go back to the findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2001, it was estimated that about 1.5 million children and adults are living with autism. The statistics from that year in comparison to this year would leave you to believe that the cases of this condition are rising by 15%. That seems alarming, but it might show in increase in proper diagnosis rather than an increase in overall cases. More and more children are now being diagnosed with autism when they would have normally been left to fall through the cracks and suffer needlessly.

There is some good news, even though the numbers seem to be very troubling. It would seem that an early and proper diagnosis might help avoid some of the costs of raising and caring for a child with autism. Most of the extra costs are ones that occur in adulthood, with some people requiring care for their entire lives.

When a child is diagnosed early, they can go through programs designed to help them communicate and socialize with others more effectively. This lessens the costs associated with caring for them when they reach adulthood in most cases. Though many children with autism are unlikely to fully integrate into society, some manage their condition well and go on to have pretty normal interactions and jobs when they reach adulthood.

The rise in Autism statistics can not be attributed to bad parenting nor is it something a person can ever leave behind, but through the proper support and intervention they can lead happy and fulfilled lives.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter about aspergers and discover more on the signs and symptoms of autism

Art Therapy For High Functioning Autism How To Get Started

                

 

People who have high functioning autism can be taught at an early age to express themselves through different forms of therapy. In order to lead relatively normal lives, a high functioning autistic requires a certain level of social skills. The development of these skills can be accomplished through a number of therapies including play therapy, social skilled classes or groups, psychotherapy, social stories and expressive therapies.

One expressive therapy that has proven to be quite beneficial is art therapy. Art therapy can help an autistic develop social response by allowing them to express their emotions through art. This form of complimentary therapy may be an ideal way for an autistic to develop social skills.

What is art therapy? It is a therapy that involves using a number of various art materials such as paints, batik (a way to dye fabric), clay, etc. as a method of expressing thoughts or feelings through visual representation. Art therapy is based on psychological research and theory that art is naturally therapeutic. This therapy takes into account the behaviors, thoughts and feelings experienced by those with high functioning autism and other disorders.

Art therapy allows an individual to explore various issues including those that involve family, relationships, life change, loss, abuse and overall development. It may be carried out as a group process or individual counsel. The artwork that is created during therapy may be of spontaneous creations or based on suggestion provided by a therapist.

What are the benefits of art therapy? Art therapy has many benefits, especially for an autistic because it doesn?t rely on verbal or language skills, is a fun activity, and does not require any art skill or experience. The following is a list of other benefits -

?Increases self awareness
?Develops social skills
?Changes behaviors
?Develops problem solving strategies
?Allows an individual to engage in creative thinking in a safe environment
?Allows an individual to focus solely on the activity at hand and shut out other thoughts that may be intrusive.

Keep in mind that all of the above positive outcomes of art therapy may not be experienced by someone with high functioning autism. Remember, not every autistic functions the same.

Where can I find and art therapist and what should I look for? If an individual with high functioning autism is interested in art therapy, an art therapist will need to be sought out. An art therapist can practice in a number of environments, but can usually be found in psychiatric or general hospitals. They may work in oncology or geriatric wards, schools, rehabilitation centers, and counseling centers. The best way for you to find an art therapist locally, is to speak to your child?s health care provider or call your hospital.

When choosing a therapist, keep the following in mind:

?Find out about their education background and where they received training
?Find out if they have previous experience with high functioning autism patients
?Ask what types of therapeutic approach do they use
?Ask what to expect during a lesson

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about autism characteristics

Autism: The Range Of Function

                

 

Autism is a syndrome that comes from exhibiting certain combinations or patterns of behavior. Low functioning autism is the term used to describe autistic individuals that are not able to function or deal with every day life. Normal to high functioning autism is used to describe people that exhibit autistic behaviors that are in fact able to deal with real world activities and normal day to day life. Many people diagnosed with autism end up living in less then ideal conditions. Autism is a developmental disorder, that affects many areas of human function such as language, and the ability to communicate. It affects self-help skills, coordination, and the ability of an individual to learn.

Common Behaviors

There are several common traits that will aid in the diagnosis of autism. These traits include, the tendency to stay in isolation or be away from others. Autistic individuals will have a hard time making friends and will seem very awkward in social situations. An autistic person will very rarely look some else in the eye. They will be very naive and easily swayed or manipulated. They are often quite gullible. When an autistic person speaks they will often so so using very formal language. They may speak in a monotone and their use of body language may be very poor. (such as nodding "no" while saying "yes". Autistic people will generally prefer common routines, they may be very literal in their use of language and may remember and recite a lot of detail without having a lot of understanding. They may also exhibit hyper- or hypo- sensitivity of the senses, have odd tastes in food and clothing as well as very fine or very grossly exaggerated motor coordination.

The more of the above traits an individual exhibits the more severe the case of autism is said to be. In some cases the above symptoms may become helpfully in certain disciplines like science, math, and engineering. These disciplines require a lot of memorization and many autistic's are quite proficient in these subjects as a result.

Autism and ADHD?

There has been some discussion on about a genetic as well as behavioral link between ADHD and autism. Some experts believe that ADHD should be put considered as a form of autistic spectrum disorder. It is quite common to have children diagnosed with both ADHD and autism together. In children, the two disorders seem very much alike. As the individuals age, the disorders grow and become more apparent. Children with ADHD will often develop normal social skills and be able to communicate with their peers and with others. Autistic children however will continue to show symptoms even as they age. there is still much to learn about the autism spectrum. Even with current advances in technology and medical science, a cure for this condition remains a mystery. The more we study the sooner we will understand the disorder and be able to help those who are diagnosed with this condition.

Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Autism Info Blog. Click here for more helpful information on Autism: http://www.autisminfoblog.com/

My Child with Autism

                

 

"Hi! My name is Gian Vincenzo. I am autistic. Don't worry. I'm happy."

....this hermitage has a great thing to do with my concerns and activities for my second son, Gian Vincenzo, who will turn 6 years old on January 10, 2007. He is diagnosed with autism.

Gian was born 6 summers ago, a robust, APGAR trouncing 7 pound baby. Up to his 18th month, he exhibited the progression of any normal kid - voracious appetite, geometric growth, rudimentary speech (dada, mama), facial recognition, in short, the works.

All of these went downhill and faded to oblivion when he went past 18 months. He withdrew, literally, from the world.

Words disappeared. He could not distinguish his parents from anybody else. He held his hands in his ears for the faintest of sounds, but totally ignored the Parokya ni Edgar ear-splitters blaring from his big brother's mini-compo. Instead of the bright eyes that we have known before, now he stares with empty glances at nowhere - not focusing on anything yet focusing on everything all at once. He would cry at the slightest touch of cotton buds on his ears. He would cry when he wants ice cream and he cannot, for the world, say these 2 words. He would be sickly- a regular patron of pediatricians and hospitals suites semi-annually.

At first, there was denial and rationalization. People we know, even doctors, gave Gian the benefit of the doubt that,because of his gender, he might have a slight delay in speech, and gave him 6 months. Then another 6 months. Then another 6 months. This slight delay is not getting slight anymore.

At 3 years of age, we could not wait any longer for Gian to speak "Mommy" and "Daddy". Off we went to a garden variety of specialists, you name them, Gian has gone through them. Pedia-neuros, Neuro developmentals, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Special Schools ( 3 of them), Occupational therapists, Speech therapists. Gian has gone through in 6 years what I haven 't gone through in my 39.

We then found "Intervention Partners", a Pasig based center led by experienced Sped specialists, on July 2006. At this point, Gian has still to say a single word - at 5 1/2 years old, and we were in "desperate" mode. The center is a practitioner in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).

In retrospect, "Intervention Partners" was God's gift from heaven.

From July to December, in a short span of child-time, Gian went from zero vocabulary, to single words, to identifying words with pictures, to constructing simple subject-predicate sentences. He can now verbalize what he wants, what he feels. He can listen and follow simple directions. He can sing the whole "Lupang Hinirang" and "Ave Maria" in his American accented diction. He can discern Caltex from Shell, spell all the colors of the rainbow, count from 1 to 10,000 (in increments of 1,000) forward and backward. On his own, he is now learning a few Tagalog words.

Truly an accomplishment. At this point in time.

The road ahead is still paved with gravel, thorns and IEDs. Gian has a life ahead of him, and though we did not let the dice of Fate get a chance in his first 6 years, we still wonder if they will play their cards in his next 6 and beyond.

Gian will turn from childhood, to adolescence, to adulthood. At some point out there, we will be called to meet our Maker, and the mere thought of leaving him behind to the Fates, the Elements, and God forbid, The Philippine Goverment and the BIR, makes us shudder.

As a continuing legacy, I have inaugurated as simple website for Gian, www.myautisticson.com. Contained in it is Gian's Weblog , which I would fill with his journals - from Gian's perspective.

Also included is Gian's Autism Forum , which I hope to be a source of online interaction for parents, teachers, practitioners, in their common quest to know and overcome this mystery called Autism.

Again, Merry Christmas and a blessed 2007!

Hi! My name is Gian Vincenzo. I am autistic. Don't worry. I'm happy.

Autism - An Enigmatic Event Revisited: From the Refrigerator Mother to The Parent Trap

                

 

Autism is defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder that reveals itself in a pronounced abnormal social interaction, patterns of interests, patterns of behavior, and communication ability. The specific cause of autism is unknown, some researchers suggest that autism results from genetically-influenced vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. It is estimated that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. Families that already have one autistic child, the odds of a second autistic child mau be as high as one in twenty. Autism is 3 to 4 times more common in boys. However, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment.

The word autism was first used in the English language by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in a 1912 issue of the American Journal of Insanity. It comes from the Greek word for "self." Bleuler used it to describe the schizophrenic's seeming difficulty in connecting with other people. However, the classification of autism did not come into play until the middle of the twentieth century, in 1943 Dr. Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore reported eleven child patients with striking behavioral similarities, and introduced the label early infantile autism. He suggested "autism" from the Greek (autos), meaning "self," to describe children lacking interest in other people. Kanner's first paper on autism was published in (now defunct Journal) The Nervious Child. An Austrian scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, made similar observations. however, his name has since been attached to a different and higher-functioning form of autism know as Asperger's syndrome. Dr. Asperger's work was not nationally recognized until after World War II in Germany, and his major work wasn't translated into English for almost fifty years. The majority of Dr. Asperger work wasn't widely read until 1997.

Autism may not be physiologically obvious. A complete physical and neurological assessment will often be part of diagnosing autism. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a connection between autism, abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress. The study suggest that, if researchers can discover more evidence linking decreased blood flow to the brain and oxidative stress with the pathology of autism, improvement in therapy could be found.

During my thirty five years experience as a mental health professional I have had the opportunity to work in several community mental health programs which exposed me to most mental disorders on a daily basis, including autism. This environment afforded me precious opportumity to interact directly with parents and caretakers of children disgnosed with infantile autism. Also, as a therapist, many mothers of autistic children discussed with me their profound feelings of guilt, shame, helplessnes, and frustration being the parent of an autistic child. These mothers said they often feel personally responsible for their child's autism, and unconsciously blame themselves.

Recently I read an article titles: Autism's Parent Trap, New York Times, OP-ED page, June 5, 2000. Ms. McGovern, the author, aim to caution parents concerning the popular, but unrealistic and determination of their abilities to enable an autistic child to lead a normal life is clearly evident: And the setting for the parent trap. To make the connection between unrealistic expectation of recovery from autism and possible devastating outcome, Ms. McGovern reported on three cases in which parents were accused of killing their autistic children, these cases occurred in England and the United States within a short span of one month: In one case the mother committed suicide, as well. In this instance, for three children with autism, the disconnect between parental expectation and limited progress may have been lethal. The occurrence of parent killing their maladjusted child, and often themself, is not as rare as we may think.

The New York Times article triggered my desire to learn why parents, mostly mothers, experienced such intense negative emotions that would cause them to kill their autistic children, and often themselves; as an act of love. Is there a social connection that cause parents, especially mothers, of children born with birth defects or developmental disabilities to experience such extreme shame and guilt?

If you are the mother of a child diagnosed with autism you already know that no matter what you do for or with your child, you still feel guilty. You feel guilty primarily because no one know the causes or have a cures of autism. Therefore, you may feel that anything you did could be your fault, or did you do everything that would help. You know that your child did not acquire autism for the lack of motherly love. However, you are not so certain about that small glass of wine you had when you were pregnant. And what about the vaccines you allowed the doctor your child? Since no one can tell you what causes autism, it is very easy to decide that it was your fault.

Let's face it, society has a rich history of blaming mothers for imperfect children; be it psychological, physiological, or sociological it is always the mother's fault. After all, it wasn't very long ago that mothers were blamed for their sons' homosexuality. And during the 1940's the term refrigerator mother was coined as a label for mothers of autistic children. These mothers were often blamed for their children's atypical behaviors. Mental health professionals suggested that autism was the product of mothers who were cold, distance and rejecting, depriving the child an opportunity to bond property.

Therefore, having a greater understanding of the social foundation which motherhood is erected it requires no great leap to comprehend why women blame themselves and experience profound guilt when they give birth to children with life-long defects. Culture teaches mothers that when something goes wrong with the kids or in the family its usually their fault. Many mothers internalized the social expectations that they must do everything, and do it very well, and when they fail to meet these high expectations; they feel guilty. The emotion of guilt is not innate, or a part of the human gene pool, but guilt can be passed-down from generation to generation. I am not suggesting that women are hard-wired to feel guilt. However, women are socialized very early as nurturers, and to accept responsibility for the happiness of others. While this is an impossible and unreasonable task. Yet, many women experience it as their goal and feel guilty even when they have done their best.

Dr. William Smith is a psychologist and a psychological consultant with more than thirty years experience. Dr. Smith specializes in working with client who requires individualized attention and complete confidentiality. For further information or a free initial assessment of your needs; visit my website; http://insightconsultant.com

Cure Autism Now with a Silver Charm

                

 

 Purchasing a silver charm is just one of the ways that you can help support autism research. Autism is a brain disorder that affects ones ability to communicate and associate with others normally. Symptoms are usually detected in the first three years of life. Autism affects about 1 out of every 166 people in the United States; however, there is currently very little information about autism. Cure Autism Now (CAN) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of autism research in order to find better treatments. If you are searching for a way to help, there are several different ways, including: purchasing one of the organizations silver charm bracelets, participating in a WALK NOW event, becoming a corporate partner, starting your own fundraiser, or making a monetary donation.

Silver charm bracelets are now available through the CAN website to raise more money for autism research. Each silver charm bracelet comes with a silver charm heart. For an extra donation, you may also receive five additional silver charms with different designs (a boy, a girl, a cross, a peace sign, and a Star of David). This silver charm bracelet was designed by actress Rene Russo, an honorary board member of CAN. The charm bracelet is also available in gold along with other accessories that will help benefit CAN with your purchase.

In addition to the silver charm bracelet, one can support CAN by participating in a WALK NOW event. WALK NOW is a 5 K (just over 3 miles) walk to raise money and provide awareness for autism. At each WALK NOW event there is an information center where parents and others can learn more about autism and what the current research has found. There are also arts, crafts and other activities to keep the children entertained. There are several WALK NOW events every year in different locations to give a chance for everyone to participate.

Another way to help CAN is to become a corporate partner. CAN is always looking for corporate sponsorship. Some of CANs current corporate partners include Johnson and Johnson, RBC Mortgage, and MBNA America. If you have a company that would like to become a corporate partner, CAN would truly appreciate any help you can offer.

You can also help out CAN by creating your own fundraising event or campaign. This method takes a great deal of planning and organization, however, it is a way that you can let your imagination run wild. One of the more creative fundraising events for CAN was the Express Your Love Motorcycle Ride in Chicago. However, there are some guidelines and procedures from CAN that must be followed if you want to create your own charity event.

Lastly, if you would like to make a cash donation but are not interested in a silver charm bracelet, there are several other ways to make a monetary donation. You can do it online, by mail, or through United Way. You also have the option to donate appreciated stocks and mutual funds or you can even include CAN in your will. CAN will appreciate any way that you can possibly help them out financially so they can continue to provide quality autism research.

Purchasing a silver charm bracelet, participating in a WALK NOW event, becoming a corporate partner, creating your own fundraising event, making a donation are all ways that you can help support CAN in the goal to find suitable treatments for autism. With this research, there is hope for tens of thousands of people to find decent treatment or possibly even a cure for autism. CAN works to bring hope.

Kaitlin Carruth is a client account specialist with http://www.10xMarketing.com More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For information on other silver charms, please visit http://www.harrismichaeljewelry.com/learning-center/resources/silver-charm.html