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Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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What is <strong>Autism</strong>? Chapter One<br />

one day pinpoint the exact genes and other conditions that combine<br />

to cause ASD.<br />

In some cases, children <strong>with</strong> ASD also have other associated<br />

medical conditions or genetic syndromes that are not part of autism,<br />

but are seen more frequently in children <strong>with</strong> autism than in the<br />

general population. Such conditions include things such as seizures,<br />

muscular dystrophy and other neurological conditions.<br />

Diagnosis of <strong>Autism</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Disorders</strong><br />

Assessment and diagnosis of ASD often involves a multidisciplinary<br />

team that includes a child psychologist, a speechlanguage<br />

pathologist, occupational therapist, a pediatrician and/or<br />

psychiatrist. In New Brunswick, the tertiary team of the Stan<br />

Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation are often involved, as they have<br />

expertise in the area of ASD. The psychologist often assesses to<br />

gather information about the developmental level and behaviour.<br />

The speech-language pathologist assesses speech, language, and<br />

communicative behaviours. A medical assessment is conducted<br />

to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms, as many<br />

characteristics associated <strong>with</strong> ASD are present in other disorders.<br />

A medical and developmental history is taken through discussion<br />

<strong>with</strong> the family. All information is considered to provide the overall<br />

picture and to rule out other contributing factors. An occupational<br />

therapist may provide assessment and/or intervention regarding<br />

issues of sensory integration and motor skills.<br />

Those seeking additional information regarding assessment<br />

and diagnosis should contact health professionals (i.e., family<br />

physician or community health nurse) in their community. Please<br />

see the resources section for additional support services.<br />

Autistic Disorder<br />

ASD is diagnosed by the presence or absence of certain<br />

behaviours, characteristic symptoms and developmental delays.<br />

The diagnosis of Autistic Disorder is characterized in the DSM-IV<br />

by:<br />

• impairments in communication and social interaction, and<br />

• restricted, repetitive, and stereotypic patterns of behaviour,<br />

interests, and activities.<br />

<strong>Teaching</strong> <strong>Students</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Autism</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Disorders</strong> 5

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