Introduction to autism and the autism spectrum

Introduction

Overview

Origins of interest

What's in a name?

What is autism?

Giving the "A words" broader context

Asperger

1944

What causes autism?

Onset of seizures in autism

How common is autism?

Is the frequency increasing?

Epidemiology of autism

Understanding the social brain in autism- Implications for education!

The social nature of autism

What attracts the interest of most young adults?

Face recognition: Normal development

Face recognition in autism

Circuitry of the social brain

MRI vs. fMRI

Face discrimination

Neuroanatomy of face recognition: The Fusiform Gyrus

Face recognition: The Fusiform Gyrus group differences

Eye tracking research

Study #1

Eye-tracking patterns: results (1)

Eye-tracking patterns: results (2)

Focus on mouths vs. focus on eyes (1)

Group results

Focus on object vs. people

Focus on mouths vs. focus on eyes (2)

History: autism interventions

Outcome

two snapshots!

Contributions from/to development

Developmental issues in treatment

Model programs

Translation into public school settings

Social skills

Language-communication

Behavioral issues

Adaptive skills generalization

Occupational/physical therapy

Implications for teaching:Translating what we know to the classroom

Implications for Teaching II

Implications for Teaching III

Technology helps!

Challenges for higher functioning children

Interventions in Asperger's (1)

Interventions in Asperger's (2)

The snakes of the Battle of Gettysburg

Educational setting

For more able students

Vocational/college issues

Family involvement/support

Drug treatments

RUPP Autism Network: irritability scale

Cmplementary and alternative treatments (CAM)

For parents

In summary

References