Autism Spectrum Disorders Handbook Originally compiled by Julie Christian and Autism Program Staff
Autism Spectrum Disorders Program Center for Disabilities Department of Pediatrics Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota 1400 West 22nd Street Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105 (605) 357-1439 or 1-800-658-3080 (Voice/TTY) www.usd.ed/cd
The Autism Spectrum Disorders Handbook is available in alternate format upon request.
The Autism Spectrum Disorders Handbook was developed using federal funds as part of a grant from the South Dakota Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Updated Fall 2006 Table of Contents
Foreword...... 1
Center for Disabilities Autism Spectrum Disorders Program ...... 2
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders...... 3 Pervasive Developmental Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview...... 4 Pervasive Developmental Disorders ...... 7 Diagnostic Criteria...... 8 Asperger’s Disorder...... 11 Legal Definition of Autism in South Dakota ...... 14 Characteristics and Early Indicators of Autism...... 16 Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) - Description ...... 17 M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)...... 18 M-CHAT Scoring Instructions...... 19
Intervention...... 21 Characteristics of Effective Intervention...... 22 Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm ...... 23 Evaluating Interventions ...... 26 Characteristics of Individuals with Autism and Support Strategies ...... 29 Understanding and Supporting Individuals with Autism: What You Can Do ...... 35 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) ...... 36 Discrete Trial Training...... 37 Structured Teaching ...... 38 Visual Schedules...... 39 Enhancing Language and Communication in Individuals with Autism ...... 41 Strategies to Address Echolalia: Modeling Functional Communication...... 43 Communication Temptations ...... 45 Picture Exchange Communication System™ (PECS™) ...... 46 Functional Assessment of Challenging Behaviors ...... 47 Positive Behavioral Support (PBS)...... 48 Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence Form: Example of a Completed Form...... 50 Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence Form: Blank Form...... 51 General Recommendations for Promoting and Enhancing Socialization...... 52 Social Stories™ ...... 53 Comic Strip Conversations ...... 54 Sensory Integration...... 55 Pharmacological Interventions...... 55
General Programming and Caregiving Information...... 59 Educational Issues...... 60 Child Care...... 61 Safety in the Home ...... 63 Person Centered Planning and Transition ...... 64 Sibling Issues...... 65
Bibliography and Appendixes ...... 67 Bibliography ...... 68 Appendix A - Glossary of Terms...... 72 Appendix B - Glossary of Acronyms...... 78 Appendix C - Organizations ...... 82 Appendix D - Websites ...... 84 Appendix E - Journals and Newsletters ...... 85 Appendix F - Recommended Readings on Autism Spectrum Disorders...... 86 Appendix G - Publishers...... 87
Foreword
The Autism Handbook has been compiled and toiled over for several years. Its preliminary format was researched and painstakingly developed through the efforts of Julie Christian, a former Center for Disabilities Autism Specialist. Thank you, Julie, for all the time and energy you devoted to this!
Since Julie’s initial efforts, several other people have assisted in the development of the handbook. Thanks go first to the families for providing the photographs and quotes that are found throughout the handbook. The afternoon some of us spent together gathering and sharing for the first edition of the handbook will stay with us forever. Thank you! Special thanks, too, to Merrie Hammer for her artistic renderings of her son—past, present and future—to grace our sections pages. What a joy he is. And special thanks to Lori Douville for sharing such wonderful photos of her delightful daughter.
Next, editing credit goes to Pam Anderson and Heather Stettnichs. Thanks for minding the grammar! Credit for the layout and design go to Liz Fox who has seen it through numerous changes. Thank you, Liz, for your creativity and patience!
Please know that this is meant as a resource guide and a starting point to answer questions about Autism Spectrum Disorders. We hope you find it helpful.
Brittany Schmidt, M.A., CCC/SLP Tracy J. Stephens, Ph.D. Lynne Rick, B.S., ED/SPED Director Autism Psychologist Autism Consultant
Autism Spectrum Disorders Program Center for Disabilities Department of Pediatrics Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota
1
Center for Disabilities Autism Spectrum Disorders Program The Center for Disabilities Autism Spectrum Disorders Program was established through the efforts of parents of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders throughout South Dakota in 1989. These parents convinced state legislators of their need for independent interdisciplinary assessments and individualized educational and behavioral training for professionals. The Autism Spectrum Disorders Program is funded in part by the South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities and is administered through the Center for Disabilities, Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, Autism Spectrum Disorders are estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 166 individuals (US Centers for Disease Control, 2004). Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
Services available through the Autism Spectrum Disorders Program A variety of services are provided to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families, local schools, adult service agencies, and communities in South Dakota at a minimal cost. These services include: