SAVANTS & HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS Print
Written by Admin   
Wednesday, 07 July 2004 12:00

Profile - Source [Autism society of America]



Autism is a spectrum disorder. The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combination's, from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills. You may hear different terms used those within this spectrum, such as autistic-like, autistic tendencies, autism spectrum, high-functioning or low-functioning autism, more-abled or less-abled and Aspegers. More important than the term used is to understand that, whatever the diagnosis, autistic does not mean can not learn or function productively and show gains with appropriate education and treatment. . Approximately 1 in 10 diagnosed with autism will have a savant aptitude compared with 1 in 100 of the rest of the population . In High functioning and Aspergers what has been often been described as a highly visual spatial thinking style has proved beneficial to countless professors , software developers , mathematicians and engineers helping them to reach the very top of there chosen careers . 80 % of those diagnosed with autistic traits are male .




While understanding of autism has grown tremendously since it was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943, most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism. Contrary to popular understanding, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions, although in varying degrees. Like other children, they respond to their environment in both positive and negative ways.

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. The person may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Communication is often described as talking at others (for example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments). People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits. Insistence on sameness; resistance to change

Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others Prefers to be alone; aloof manner

Tantrums Difficulty in mixing with others May not want to cuddle or be cuddled Little or no eye contact Unresponsive to normal teaching methods Sustained odd play Spins objects Inappropriate attachments to objects Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain No real fears of danger Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity Uneven gross/fine motor skills Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range.

For most of us, the integration of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. For example, our senses of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach fuzz as we pick it up, its sweet smell as we bring it to our mouth, and the juices running down our face as we take a bite. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common. Their senses may be over-or under-active. The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful; the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many professionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties.

There are many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic's do make eye contact; and do show affection , it just may be less or different from a non-autistic's. Autism does not mean poor functional language . You do not "outgrow" autism but the symptoms may lessen

Last Updated ( Friday, 30 July 2010 16:37 )