Autism (AUT)

According to the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 15-761 (1), "‘autism’ means a developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, that is generally evident before the age of three and that adversely affects educational performance. Characteristics include irregularities and impairments in communication, engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routine and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Autism does not include children with characteristics of emotional disability...".

Autism is the term used to describe a variety of neurological characteristics that affect thought, perception, and attention. This disability can block, delay, or distort signals from the eyes, the ears, and other sensory organs. This usually weakens a person’s ability to interact with other people, either through social activity or using communication skills such as speech.

How Common is Autism?
Autism affects three to four times as many males as females. The developmental problems may start during prenatal development, though symptoms may not be recognized for years. The cause of autism is still unknown.

In the 1997-98 school year 643 students were classified as having autism and received special education services. This number represents .0008% of the 794,928 children enrolled in Arizona public schools as of October 1, 1997.

What Effect Does Autism Have on the Child?
There may be no noticeable physical signs of autism. What is noticeable is the presence of uneven developmental abilities and scattered strengths and weaknesses. Intelligence tests are unreliable for people with autism since they are generally used to measure performance in people who have typical vision, hearing, and forms of experience. The tests may not measure extraordinary perception. Some skills in people with autism are normal, or even superior, for their age, and others show significant delay.

Research shows that individuals with autism can process considerably with adapted teaching strategies. Daily instruction should be consistent and predictable. Verbal instruction, as well as printed materials, help the student with autism learn better. A well developed educational program is one that provides learning experiences that can be used at school, at home and in the community.

Lifelong services and support systems must be available for persons with autism and their families. Exploring local, regional and national resources will help an individual with autism, and their family, develop a network of information and services.