Jul 15, 2014

Getting Started: What is Autism?

This is the AutismClassroom.com Blog.  It would probably be a good idea to start a blog about teaching students with autism with some information about autism. Folks are still trying to figure out the complexities of individuals with autism and they still do not know what causes autism, but here are a few things we do know. Autism typically appears during the first three years of life. Even if a child is not diagnosed until later in life, when they look back, the symptoms were most likely there. Autism that affects the way an individual thinks and interprets the world around them. 
Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.  It affects all races, ethnic groups, economic groups  and social classes. 
As the Autism Society of America once put it, "Autism interferes the areas of reasoning, social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities. The disorder makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the outside world. They may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resist any changes in routines. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present." (Autism Society of America)
I think it is good to know the about autism so that teachers and parents are informed, but it is also good to begin to develop skills to help bring the individual with autism to their highest potential.



No comments :

Post a Comment