POPARD eLearning

Introduction to Autism

Introduction to AutismAutism (autistic disorder) is a developmental disability that affects the way a child interacts with the rest of the world. Communication and social skills impairments as well as unusual behaviours, repetitive motor movements or preoccupations are usually present within the first thirty-six months of life. Dr.

Introduction to Asperger Syndrome (AS)

Introduction to AspergersThis condition was originally described by Hans Asperger in Vienna in 1944. Although Asperger was not aware of Leo Kanner's work on autism, he did use the word autism ("autistic psychopathy") to describe the social deficits he observed in a group of children.

His original description, in German, received little attention in English-language literature until Lorna Wing translated his work in 1981.

Individual Education Plans (IEP)

Student with teacher in classroom An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a written document for a student that describes program modifications and/or adaptations and services to be provided. It is a concise, usable, summary plan. It normalizes planning decisions; provides a record; tracks and reports on students' progress; and provides a means for a student and parent involvement. The school Case Manager coordinates the development and implementation of IEP.

Functional Curriculum

Cody shopping at the grocery store Functional curriculum are those skills which significantly affect quality of life in the community. They are all grouped together as Life Skills. Students with autism have significant difficulty learning life skills.

Environmental Issues

Environmental IssuesEarly life events and environmental factors may interact significantly with genetic susceptibility in a child. Environmental stimuli may be disturbing or even painful to someone with autism. This may apply to any or all types of sensory input. Personal accounts of autism have emphasized this.

Understanding Challenging Behaviours

Functional behaviour assessment (FBA) is a systematic process that enables teachers, parents and other caregivers to: a) describe problematic and challenging behaviour; b) identify environmental factors and setting events that influence, or increase the probability that the challenging behaviour will occur; and, c) determine what factors may cause the student to maintain the challenging behaviour and design effective and efficient behaviour support plans to reduce or elimin

Classroom Strategies

Cody performing some math calculations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Links

Language Communication

Language and CommunicationOne of the major challenges associated with autism spectrum disorders is impaired language and communication development. Difficulties communicating with others pose a significant obstacle for students with autism. The extent to which each individual is communication impaired depends on the severity and type of autism. Some students with autism may not use words at all.

Social Skills

Kids PlayingIndividuals on the autism spectrum, by definition, exhibit challenges in both understanding and participating in meaningful social interaction. Impairments in social functioning include: initiating and responding to social interaction, engaging in joint attention and sharing enjoyment with others, understanding and demonstrating non-verbal social communication i.e. the "unwritten rules" of social interactions.

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behaviour Analysis has been defined as ‘the science in which procedures derived from the principles of behaviour are systematically applied to improve socially significant behaviour to a meaningful degree and to demonstrate empirically the procedures employed were responsible for that improvement’(Cooper, Heron & Heward, 1987, p. 14)