Marked impairments in social interaction. Lack normal interest in social contact, don’t seek or enjoy
affection and seem aloof and alone.
Deficits in language development and imaginative activity- fail to develop language or show a range of
language abnormalities. May repeat phrases or fail to use pronouns I and you appropriately also lack
imaginative play.
Restricted scope of activities and interests- often obsessed with sameness and show rigid repetitive
behavior. Drawn to small detail and may be mesmerized by objects.
Mental retardation is present in about 75% of cases yet some children have above average IQ scores
Autistic disorder and other conditions involving autistic features are autism spectrum disorders
1. Autistic disorder
2. Cases that show some but not all of the features of autistic disorder
3. A condition called Asperger syndrome. Children with asperger syndrome have restricted
interests and trouble navigating social interactions
4. Early childhood disintegrative disorder
5. Rett’s
Autism-hard to make sense of world around them, no known cause or cure. Life long brain disorder
Sensory-hypersensitive, extra sensitive to 5 senses hard to focus things out of their orientation or
hyposensitive- don’t have enough sensitivity. Can be self-abusive and don’t feel the pain
Benefit from pressure, weighted blanket or jacket calms them
Lack pragmatic skills-turn taking, interrupting not being able to follow a change in topic
Stereotypical behaviors- hand flapping, rocking, spinning objects, lack of eye contact
Can be confused or co-exist with autism spectrum disorder
Bipolar, emotional impairment, adhd, seizure disorders, low immune health
1/150 have it. 1/94 boys 4/5 boys worldwide epidemic
Expectancy is 1/46 by 2020
Aspergers-lower stage, poor social and verbal skills very focused
Pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDDNOS)
Autism
Early childhood disintegrative disorder
