
The Fastest Growing Diagnosis Within The Disability Of Pervasive Developmental Disorders Is Autism Spectrum Disorder.Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder Are From All Socioeconomic Groups, As Well As Cultural, Racial, And Ethnic Populations. More Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Will Be Found In Every Community And Neighborhood Due To The Increased Identification Of The Disorder. Estimated Annual Cost Of Educating And Caring For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder Is To Be Around 90 Billion Dollars According To The Autism Society Of America. Early Diagnosis And Intervention Is A Key Factor In Reducing Treatment Costs By Two-thirds.There Are Five Related Developmental Disorders Placed Under The Umbrella Category Of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. They Include:1.Autism Spectrum Disorder2.Aspergers Syndrome3.Childhood Disintegrative Disorder4.Retts5.Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise SpecifiedSpecific Aspects Of Autism Spectrum DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder Affects The Neurodevelopment System. The Results Are Distinct Learning And Behavior CharacteristicsAutism Spectrum Disorder Has An Underlying Biologicalgenetic Cause That Produces Organic Andor Physical Changes During Brain Development. This Results In Atypical Cognitive And Social Development And BehaviorsAutism Spectrum Disorder Affects Individuals UniquelyAutism Spectrum Disorder Does Not Result From Poor ParentingAutism Spectrum Disorder Affects The Individuals Ability To Integrate Sensory Information And Regulate Their EmotionsThere Are Five Deficit Areas To Consider As Diagnostic Criteria For Identifying Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, They Are:1.Communication2.SocializationSocial Skills3.Restricted Interests4.Sensory Integration5.BehaviorIndividuals Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder Exhibit Varying Degrees Of Difficulties In These Five Areas.Recent Research Shows Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Exhibit The Same Early Symptoms That Include:Lack Of Eye ContactLack Of Joint Attention (attention To The Same Item Or Topic As Another Person)Atypical Sensorymotor ProcessingGoals And Objectives For Students With Autism Spectrum DisorderThe General Education Teacher Must Ensure That Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Have Goals And Objectives Designed To Promote The Development Of Independent Living, Academic Skills, And Appropriate Social Behaviors And Skills.It Is Essential That These Goals Be Introduced Early And Addressed Annually In The Individualized Education Program. If These Goals Are Not Addressed Until The Child Reaches Secondary School, There Is A Higher Potential For Many Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Leaving School Not Able To Live Independently, Succeed Academically Or Be Gainfully Employed.In Order To Help Provide A Smooth Transition To A Post-high School Setting, The Responsibilities Of The IEP (individualized Education Program) Team May Include:Developing Goals And Short-term Objectives That Promote Self-monitoring And Independent Living SkillsSecondary Individualized Education Program Teams Have The Responsibility To Identify The Long-term Supports These Students Will Require For Academic, Economic And Social Independence. They Must Ensure Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Have Long-term Goals That Specify The Need For Explicit Instruction In The Essential Social Skills Necessary For All Post-secondary Academic, Social, Andor Vocational Settings. Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Must Be Given Multiple Opportunities In A Variety Of Social, Academic, And Vocational Contexts To Practice These Skills.Of Highest Priority Is Ensuring That Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Acquire The Essential Social And Daily Living Skills They Need For A Responsible Integration Into The Community.Transition Goals And Objectives Of The Individualized Education Program Team May Include:Providing Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Vocational And Career ExplorationExperiences To Assist Them With Learning Which Careers Or College Majors Can Accommodate Their Uneven Academic Andor Social Development While At The Same Time Utilizing Their Unique Abilities And InterestsOpportunities To Acquire Vocational Andor Work-related Behaviors And Skills Required For Successful Employment Andor Educational SettingsSource: The Autism Society Of AmericaThis Article Is FREE To Publish With The Resource Box.