Repetitive Actions & Behaviors In addition, individuals with autism spectrum disorder often have intense and/or high interests that can interfere with a child’s cognitive control when making decisions. (Bos, 2019)
~Rigid Thought Patterns
~Perseveration
~Irritability & Aggression
~Mood Changes
~Oppositional Defiant Disorder
~Elopement
~Need to escape and self-sooth
~Emotional Inconsistency
~Tantrums
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and can be modified by making adjustments to materials, such as adding visual cues and/or incorporating role-play. “EXM or Exercise and Movement Therapy is an intervention that uses physical activity, specific motor skills/techniques, or mindful movement to target a variety of skills and behaviors.” (NCAEP, 2020) EXM Therapy, “Interventions have been observed to improve behavior for example, decreased repetitive behaviors and increased social interaction, in addition to overall physical wellness.” (Scharoun, 2014).
Communication & Language
The lack of and/or intensity of social communication and language characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorders may vary by age and by individual. (Vicker, 2002)
Echolalia - repeating phrases and/or
Words.
Difficulty recognizing contextual (conversational)
Difficulty understanding humor
Challenges with comprehension: figurative language such as idioms, metaphors, similes, and irony.
Non-Verbal
Sensory
Sensory Sensitive Individuals with Autism are unable to transform sensory information (what they see, touch, smell, taste and hear) into meaning and use the information in a typical way. “This is hot.” “This is not food.” In addition, they may experience more than one of these sensory difficulties at the same time and it could be painful and difficult for them to understand and make meaning. (Biel, 2021). Types of Sensitivity
Hyper sensitive - High alert,
Hypo sensitive - Under aroused, Mixed reactivity - sensory overload these tend to be picky eaters which can lead to comorbid disabilities due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. (Biel, 2021).
Functional Behavioral Assessment and the ABI, Antecedent Based Intervention Strategy ~ The FBA is a structured system to help identify the cause of the function or purpose of a behavior so that an effective ABI intervention plan can be developed to support the desired behavior. With an FBA, the identification of the reason the student is demonstrating the behavior is identified. Educators can look at the event/stimuli prior to the behavior, such as stimming, to help identify its function (eg. stress). Once the underlying reason for the behavior is identified, it can be addressed through modifications and/or consequences and reinforcements through the use of a behavior plan. Typically an FBA is completed before an ABI or “Antecedent-Based Interventions.” An ABI, looks at the “arrangement of events or circumstances that precede an activity or demand in order to increase the occurrence of a behavior and/or lead to the reduction of the challenging/interfering behaviors.” (NCAEP, 2020)
Social Characteristics
Social Characteristics: (Munkhaugen et al., 2017)
Difficulty making and keeping eye contact ~ Unable to engage in and initiating conversations. ~ Restrictive and rigid interests ~ Difficulty finding common ground with their peers. ~ Impaired social functioning ~Low social motivation.
Cognitive/Neurological Characteristics
The ability to think about, determine and plan are all cognitive processes, but children With ASD have less cognitive control compared with their typical peers when it comes to their preferred interests. (Bos, 2019)
Individuals may Experience the following:
Difficulty with Motor Skills
Vestibular Movement (balance)
Unable to sense changes in deceleration and acceleration
Rocking motion
repetitive process and/or perseverating, repeating a preferred pattern that restricts sensory motor and behavior (ie: Stimming ).
Proprioceptive System
Clumsy and uncoordinated
Mental Health Conditions
Migraine headaches that are also associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental conditions, which frequently co-occur in autism but maybe undiagnosed. (Pan, 2021).
For more information on characteristics of individuals with Autism Spectrum disorder visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "Click this link."