Talk:Autism spectrum/Childhood autism

Childhood autism is the developmental disability autism in children. It usually appears within the first three years of a child's life. It is a result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and is estimated to effect as many as 1 in 500 individuals. Autism knows no social, economic, or racial boundaries. Typically, this disability impacts the normal development of the brain in areas that include social interaction and communication skills thus children with autism have difficulty communicating in verbal and non-verbal ways, socializing with others, and completing everyday leisure activities. In some cases, children with autism engage in aggressive or self-injurious behaviour although this is not the case with all who suffer from autism. Typical symptoms of autism include repetitive movements (such as rocking), unusual responses to people, attachments to objects, and difficulty with routines.

Autism in the classroom
There are a number of techniques for aiding autistic children in a classroom environment.
 * Form a strong parent-teacher bond. This is crucial for the success of the child.
 * Create an ongoing web of communication between the teacher, speech therapist, occupational therapist, any special education teachers, and/or counselors in the child's life
 * Determine the child's functioning level
 * Teach with behavior in mind
 * Help the child interact in a social setting

For more information or in-depth breakdown of the above steps click on the link below:

http://www.brainconnection.com/topics/?main=fa/autism-class

Autism and technology
The following are a few articles that focus on using different forms of technology with Autistic children. The articles cover inclusive aspects of technology, beneficial technological practices, assessment of technology in regards to social needs, etc.


 * Computer Technology and Autism


 * Communication Through Technology


 * Assistive Technology For Children With Autism


 * Inclusive Technology For The Autistic Child

Annotated Bibliography
The following bibliography will serve to answer questions for those searching for more information.

Websites

 * Explanation Guide (n.d.) Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://explanation-guide.info/meaning/Autism.html

This website outlines information that would be pertinent to someone wanting to know exact details about autism. It begins with a working definition of the disorder which includes the notion that each diagnosis falls along a spectrum. This is followed by a brief history of the disorder in which the reader can learn who introduced the term infantile autism and how many children suffer from the disorder. Finally, a list and explanation of symptoms is provided including social symptoms, communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and high versus low functioning.


 * Dunlap, G., Fox, L. (1999). Teaching Students with Autism. Eric Digest. Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-3/autism.htm

This website is a resource for those who want to teach children with autism. Although it is geared towards teachers, it is also an effective website for parents of children with autism. After a brief introduction as to what the disorder entails, the site goes on to explain general guideline considerations and instructional content that would be useful (for example, providing structure in the environment, with clear guidelines regarding expectations for appropriate and inappropriate behavior). This is followed by both communication and motivational issues that need to be considered, and finally, the importance of Positive Behavioral Support (PBS).


 * Desorgher, S., Desorgher, M. (2002). Autism: Dietary Treatment Options. Retrieved November 2, 2004 fromhttp://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Medical%20Conditions/desorg57.htm

This website explores how dietary intervention therapy can be used as a treatment method to reduce and alleviate the symptoms of autism. The author is a nutritional researcher who has an adopted daughter with the disorder and has chosen to implement this practice to help her child thrive. She goes on to explain about vitamin deficiencies in our society and how certain foods, if eliminated from the diet of an autistic child, can help to improve his functioning levels. An example of this would be the successful results of a lutein-free diet.


 * E Medicine Consumer Health (n.d.) Received November 1, 2004 from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/29544-6.asp

This website offers advice to parents on how to locate a specialist for their child and what to look for when searching for the right doctor. It also outlines the various treatment options that parents have while still maintaining that their is no standard treatments but rather a number of different philosophies and practices that can be undergone. For example, biomedical and dietary treatments are widely used for those with autism, as well as number of different medications both herbal, and non-herbal. Finally, the article discusses possible behavioral therapies as well as options for an educational environment.

Articles

 * Offit, P. (n.d.). Vaccines and Autism. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.immunize.org/autism/offit_article.pdf

For many years there has been a great debate concerning whether certain vaccines, such as MMR, cause autism. In this article Dr. Paul Offit challenges two previous papers written by Andrew Wakefield who has embarked on a multi-city tour to promote the notion MMR causes autism. By identifying critical flaws within both of Wakefield's writings and countering his views with new evidence, Dr. Offit allows his readers to feel more confident in vaccinating their children.


 * Yazbak, F. E., (2003). Autism in the United States: A Perspective. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.vacunacionlibre.org/yazbak.pdf

This journal discuses the rise of autism diagnosis in the United States of America despite the fact that diagnostic criteria have become more restrictive. Like many other sites it begins with a brief history of the disorder but the main focus of the article is the strain on the economy that autism causes and the intense need for more research to find a cure. The journal offers charts and diagrams to illustrate the increase in childhood autism as well as a breakdown of specific numbers in each state.

Research Articles

 * Obaray, J. (2002). Autism in Children. Retrieved November 2, 2004 from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f00/web1/obaray.html

This paper was written by a student intending to encourage others to learn and think more about the subject of autism. The author begins by stating a personal experience with the disorder and then continues on to provide a variety of information. She includes a working definition and history of autism, explaining that the disorder falls under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders and them moves on to discuss a number of different struggles faced by an autistic child. The paper ends with a list of seventeen different links to websites where readers expand on the knowledge she has introduced to them.


 * Wood, D. (n.d). Autism: Clinical Paper. Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=238

This website contains a clinical paper written by Derek Wood, a registered nurse and PhD candidate. It begins with the story of John, a three year old child, whose mother brings him in because he refuses to talk or socialize with the family. Upon observing his behavior the author presents his findings in relation to the DSM-IV categorization of Autism Spectrum Disorder, noting that the child fits the criteria. The article continues on to describe the incidence and prevalence rates as well as the etiology (causes) and pathogenesis (origin) of the disorder. Finally, Wood examines treatments that are relationship-based, skill-based, psychology-based, and pharmacology-based.


 * Autism Society Canada, (2004). Canadian Autism Research Agenda and Canadian Autism Strategy. Autism Society Canada White Paper. Retrieved from http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/finalwhite-eng.pdf

This paper contains 58 pages of information surrounding autism in Canada. It begins with an introduction to the Autism Society of Canada followed by the need for a Canadian autism research agenda. The next part of the paper consists of an overview of autism and research that has been completed and then moves on to strategies for implementing a Canadian research agenda. The paper also includes a number of appendices.