Information References:
Miller, J.N. & Ozonoff, S. (2000). The external validity of asperger disorder: Lack of evidence from the domain of Neuropsychology. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 109(2), pp. 227-238.
Topel, E.M. & Lachmann, F.M. (2008). Life begins on an ant farm for two patients with asperger's syndrome. Psychoanalytic Psychology. 25(4), pp. 602-617.
Disorder Information Sheet: Autistic Disorder (2003). Retrieved from: http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/autistic_disorder.htm
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010). Autism fact sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
Yale School of Medicine (2009). Pervasive developmental disorder - Not otherwise specified. Retrieved from: http://childstudycenter.yale.edu/autism/pddnos.html
International Rett Syndrome Foundation (2008). What is rett syndrome?. Retrieved from: http://www.rettsyndrome.org/%20%20index.php?option=content&task=view&id=16&itemid=1000
**Web links to all pictures and videos used in this presentation have been provided in each specific blog entry, beneath the picture or video itself. The creators of this blog take no credit for the production of these pictures and videos, as they remain the intellectual right of their creators.
Monday, June 21, 2010
You Can Overcome!
The most important factor to know when working with a child suffering from a disorder within the Autistic Spectrum is that with help, that child can still have a successful future. These disorders can be severe, but are rarely fatal (unless tied in with other medical complications). With patience, perseverence, and dedication parents and professionals alike can help these children to fullfill many of their goals in life and live life to the best ability they can. Though these disorders can be difficult for both the child and parent/caregiver, they are not impossible to overcome.
Images taken from: http://helpyourautisticchildblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/hugging_1.jpg and http://topnews.com.sg/images/Older-Siblings-Autistic.jpg
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
The following is a list of resources avaliable for parents and caregivers, to help answer questions they might have about children with Autistic Spectrum disorders.
1. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-index.shtml
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)
- This website is run and managed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), giving a broad overview of the Autistic Spectrum and the various disorders that fall within its boundaries. In addition to including details pertaining to each specific disorder, this site offers commentary on diagnoses, avaliable treatment options, clinical case studies, and a list of other helpful references.
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
- Asperger's Syndrome: Treatment and Drugs
- This is an informational website provided by the Mayo Clinic Health Center which lists different treatment options for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. Included in this overview are possible options pertaining to prescription medications and theraputical treatment. In addition, Mayo Clinic offers similar overviews for other disorders within the Autistic Spectrum.
3. http://www.autism-help.org/
- Help with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, & Related Disorders
- This website is listed as a guide to help parents learn to best care for a child suffering from a disorder within the Autistic Spectrum. While the site's information mainly focuses on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, many of the other disorders are discussed in some detail as well.
The information provided here focuses on helping parents formulate a plan to ensure their son or daughter's success, gives resources and information to help them cope with any difficulties associated with the disorder, and helps them to make important decisions related to their child's future.
4. http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/
- The Autism Treatment Center of America
- This particular website is managed by the Autism Treatment Center of America, one of many clinics in the United States that focuses on the treatment of children suffering from disorders within the Autistic Spectrum. Included on this site are references and suggestions for treatment, links to help parents contact a doctor, and references for other reliable clinics that a parent or caregiver can use.
1. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-index.shtml
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)
- This website is run and managed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), giving a broad overview of the Autistic Spectrum and the various disorders that fall within its boundaries. In addition to including details pertaining to each specific disorder, this site offers commentary on diagnoses, avaliable treatment options, clinical case studies, and a list of other helpful references.
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
- Asperger's Syndrome: Treatment and Drugs
- This is an informational website provided by the Mayo Clinic Health Center which lists different treatment options for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. Included in this overview are possible options pertaining to prescription medications and theraputical treatment. In addition, Mayo Clinic offers similar overviews for other disorders within the Autistic Spectrum.
3. http://www.autism-help.org/
- Help with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, & Related Disorders
- This website is listed as a guide to help parents learn to best care for a child suffering from a disorder within the Autistic Spectrum. While the site's information mainly focuses on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, many of the other disorders are discussed in some detail as well.
The information provided here focuses on helping parents formulate a plan to ensure their son or daughter's success, gives resources and information to help them cope with any difficulties associated with the disorder, and helps them to make important decisions related to their child's future.
4. http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/
- The Autism Treatment Center of America
- This particular website is managed by the Autism Treatment Center of America, one of many clinics in the United States that focuses on the treatment of children suffering from disorders within the Autistic Spectrum. Included on this site are references and suggestions for treatment, links to help parents contact a doctor, and references for other reliable clinics that a parent or caregiver can use.
Autism Checklist for Parents and Caregivers
The following is a checklist for parents who are concerned about their child's risk of having a disorder that lies within the Autistic Spectrum. Included on this checklist are references to other resources and materials that a parent may find beneficial.
Image taken from: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/182_07_040405/wra10330_fm-2.gif
Rett Syndrome
Like Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett Syndrome also appears after a period of time where childhood development appears normal; slowly degenerating certain skills and learned techniques. Unlike Childhood Disintegrative Disorder though, Rett Syndrome is most commonly seen with young girls and rarely with boys (International Rett Syndrome Foundation [IRSF], 2008).
In addition, Rett Syndrome also more severely impairs physical motor movements (with hands, arms, etc) than Childhood Disintegrative Disorder does and may also include bizarre breathing patterns and an increased risk for seizures (IRSF, 2008).
Unlike some of the other disorders in the Autistic Spectrum, Rett Syndrome can be more easily diagosed and recognized. According to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (2008), Rett syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation of the X chromosome on a gene known as MECP2. Thus, Rett Syndrome can be determined by a blood test (confirming the genetic mutation) and if the individual fits the diagnostic criteria of autism-like symptoms.
Finally, it is important to note that since this disorder results from a genetic mutation, depending on the severity of the mutation of the MECP2 gene, the severity of symptoms can greatly differ between individuals with the disorder (IRSF, 2008). For instance, two girls (both with Rett Syndrome) born from the same mother could have varying degrees in the severity of their individual symptoms.
In addition, Rett Syndrome also more severely impairs physical motor movements (with hands, arms, etc) than Childhood Disintegrative Disorder does and may also include bizarre breathing patterns and an increased risk for seizures (IRSF, 2008).
Unlike some of the other disorders in the Autistic Spectrum, Rett Syndrome can be more easily diagosed and recognized. According to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (2008), Rett syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation of the X chromosome on a gene known as MECP2. Thus, Rett Syndrome can be determined by a blood test (confirming the genetic mutation) and if the individual fits the diagnostic criteria of autism-like symptoms.
Finally, it is important to note that since this disorder results from a genetic mutation, depending on the severity of the mutation of the MECP2 gene, the severity of symptoms can greatly differ between individuals with the disorder (IRSF, 2008). For instance, two girls (both with Rett Syndrome) born from the same mother could have varying degrees in the severity of their individual symptoms.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is one of the rarer conditions within the Autistic Spectrum. Though similar to Autism, this disorder is commonly more prevalent later in childhood and tends to emerge in children who were otherwise "normally" functioning (Westphal, 2010).
Essentially, before the onset of the disorder, a child will tend to have proper functioning in language, toilet training, and physical movement appropriate to his or her age. After the onset of the disorder however, the child's ability to perform these actions seems to diminish or dissapear entirely (Westphal, 2010). Due to the fact that after the onset of the disorder, a child will highly resemble an individual with Autism, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is often mis-diagnosed.
Image taken from: http://blogs.families.com/media/disintegrate.jpg
While the exact causes of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are unknown, it has been suggested through some research, that the disorder occurs as a result of dysfunction in an individual's central nervous system. In addition, research has also shown that the disorder tends to be more prevalent in boys than in girls (Westphal, 2010).
As professionals, it is important to work with both the child and the family, helping the child to re-learn tasks that have been affected by the disorder. Instead of moving forward with newer tasks (as one would do normally with a child), in these instances it is essential to re-train the child in the various skills that have diminished.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Interview with a Child with PDD-NOS
This video contains an interview with a young child who has been diganosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), giving viewers a good idea of how a child with this disorder functions, giving insight to his overall thought process.
Video taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ludzl-UEcPg
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