Autism Spectrum Disorder

Prior to 2013, Autism Spectrum Disorder was divided into different categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5). The following disorders are now under one umbrella in the DSM-5 as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism is a social and communication disorder and restricted and repetitive movements.

Asperger Syndrome is someone with typical to strong verbal language skills and intellectual ability with an impairment in social interactions, uncoordinated or clumsy, anxiety, desire for sameness and restricted area of interest. Many learn to overcome their challenges by building on strengths. 

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a person with mild or high functioning symptoms that did not meet all the criteria of Asperger's. 

Symptoms

Social Defecits

• Recognizing emotions and intentions in others

• Recognizing one’s own emotions

• Expressing emotions

• Seeking emotional comfort from others

• Feeling overwhelmed in social situations

• Taking turns in conversation

• Gauging personal space (appropriate distance between people)

Communication

• Delay in spoken language (around 1/3 of people with autism are non-verbal)

• Lack of eye contact

• Lack of facial expressions and non-verbal communication

• Difficulty with back and forth conversations

Restricted and Repetitive Behavior (these may vary across the spectrum)

• Repetitive body movements (e.g. rocking, flapping, spinning, running back and forth) 

• Repetitive motions with objects (e.g. spinning wheels, shaking sticks, flipping levers)

• Staring at lights or spinning objects

• Ritualistic behaviors (e.g. lining up objects, repeatedly touching objects in a set order)

• Narrow or extreme interests in specific topics

• Need for unvarying routine/resistance to change (e.g. same daily schedule, meal menu, clothes, route to school) 

Many people with autism have sensory issues. These typically involve over- or under-sensitivities to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, pain and other stimuli. 

Information taken from Autism Speaks

Emergency Chat- this app allows you to pre-program text to show in a meltdown. It has a texting function for communicating.

Fluid- this app is full of mixing lights and colors which you can move around the screen.

Heat Pad- this app has different sensory surfaces from heat pads to glow pads for different sensory needs. 

Jam- allows you to show a virtual card to explain that they need extra time and understanding due to a disability. 

Mole Hill Mountain- this app is developed specifically for people with autism to help manage anxiety through different skills.

Safe Space- this app is a virtual sensory room which provides a 360 room view. You can move your phone around to see each element. 

Sensory Fidget Toy - this app has nearly every fidget, sensory or anti-stress activity that you can imagine all in a virtual platform.

Supporting Individuals with Autism During Difficult Times 

Teens with Autsim 

19 Year Old Female with Autism Goes Viral on TikTok with Lessons About Autism  

Autism Resource Guide for Parents