EDUG 733, June 10, 2013

Yocasta Rojas, Madelayne Perez, Alyssa Tierney & Tracy Lane

Definition of
Exceptionalities
The term exceptional children includes children who
experience difficulties in learning as well as those whose
performance is so superior that modifications in curriculum
and instruction are necessary to help them fulfill their
potential.

There are Many Types of

Exceptionalities!

Autism
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV
defines autism as a complex neurological disorder that affects the
functioning of the brain. It is a pervasive developmental disorder
characterized by:

impairments in communication and social interaction

restricted, repetitive, and stereotypic patterns of behavior,
interests, and activities.

Prevalence
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on

the autism spectruma ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years.
Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by

improved diagnosis and awareness.

Studies also show that autism is almost five times more common

among boys than girls.

An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with

autism in the United States.

Pervasive Development Disorders

(PDD)

PDDs

, contd

Autism is one of 5 disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive

Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders
characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas
of development.
More prevalent:
Autism
Aspergers Syndrome
Pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise
specified)
Much rarer:

Child disintegrative disorder

Retts disorder

History of Autism
Leo Kanner

Hans Asperger
Ivar Lovaas

Characteristics of Autism
Social
Behavioral

Language
Emotional
Health

Common Stereotypic Behaviors

Rocking
Twirling
Flapping Hands

What Causes Autism?

CAUSE
There is not yet an specific reason why children have

these disorders.
Experts agree that ASD is a neurobiological disorder
that has a genetic basis.

Patterns of ASD within families

Identical or fraternal twins

Siblings

Some Theories of Causes

Environmental toxins
Diet

Vitamin deficiencies
Vaccines (ex: MMR)

Early signs of ASD can be present as

early as 24 months old

 A family history, including siblings that are

diagnosed with ASD
Poor eye contact
Poor response to others voices
Poor attempts at interactive play
Delayed pointing to request or share
Lack of warm, joyful, reciprocating expressions

EARLY INTERVENTIONS
Key elements of successful programs
Highly supportive teaching environment

Classroom decorations

Low staff to student ratios

Ex: 6:1:1, 12:1:1, 8:1:1

Plan for generalization

Inclusive classroom

Intervention to promote language and

communication

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

ABA (Apply Behavioral Analysis)

The Worst Thing You Can Do is Nothing

Temple Grandin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeWks6cgJ-k

What can schools/teachers do to provide a

highly supportive teaching environment for
students with ASD?

Positive Behavior Support

Functional Communication Training
Visual Supports and Activity Schedule

Social Stories

Positive behavior support

Develop a schedule.
Make novel experiences predictable.
Avoid surprises.
Do not make unannounced changes.
Provide structure and a routine.
Know how well the individual handles free time.

Functional Communication
What are the students strengths and weaknesses?
What pivotal behaviors should the students learn?

What skills will the student need in schools, including

inclusive settings?
What skills will the student need in the home and

community?

Visual Support and Activity Schedule

PECS

AAC

Steps to follow:

Conduct a reinforcer assessment

Prepare materials
Teach students how to communicate
Foster students independence and persistence
Teach students to discriminate preferences from an
expanding array of picture symbols.
Introduce sentence structure
Expanding sentence structure
Respond to questions

Social Stories
Short stories that describe a specific activity and the

behavioral expectations associated with that activity.

This is a strategy for helping students with ASD to
learn how to cope and interact in various situations (
Gray & Garand, 1993)

Social Class & Autism

A child born on Medi-Cal and

residing in the wealthier
neighborhood was, on average,
close to 250 percent more
likely than his counterpart
living in a poorer
neighborhood to be diagnosed
with autism.

Autism Awareness Ribbon

The puzzle pattern of this
ribbon reflects the mystery
and complexity of autism.
The different colors and
shapes represent the
diversity of people and
families living with this
disorder.
The brightness of the ribbon
signals hope - hope through
research and increasing
awareness in people like
you.

References
Introduction to Special Education/ Making a Difference by Deborah

Deutsch Smith and Naomi Chowdhuri Tyler

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/K
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/W
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-bias_curriculum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualized_Education_Program