Resources & Materials

Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

The five disorders under PDD are:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger's Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Rett's Disorder
• PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

• Autism Newsletters and Handouts
• UPC Autism Newsletter
• PDF document
• Basic Autism Information
• PDF/HTML documents
• Autism e-Journal, February 2008
• PDF document
• 
  Autism Resource Lists
• ABA Resources PDF/HTML
• Assistive Technology PDF/HTML
• Autism Specialists – Public Schools PDF/HTML
• Clinics PDF/HTML
• Dentists PDF/HTML
• Diagnostic Evaluations PDF/HTML
• Doctors and Clinics - Alphabetical by Location PDF/HTML
• Early Intervention Services PDF/HTML
• Employment Services PDF/HTML
• Guardianship and Trusts PDF/HTML
• Occupational Therapists and Ophthalmologists PDF/HTML
• Occupational and Physical Therapists PDF/HTML
• Optometrists and Vision Therapy PDF/HTML
• Parent Support Groups – Autism Specific PDF/HTML
• Preschools PDF/HTML
• Provider Care and Respite Resources PDF/HTML
• Psychiatrists and Psychologists PDF/HTML
• Recreation Resources PDF/HTML
• Respite PDF/HTML
• Schools for Children with Autism PDF/HTML
• Service Dogs HTML
• Social Skills Resources PDF/HTML
• Speech, Language, and Social Skills Resources PDF/HTML
• Instructional Therapies and Therapists PDF/HTML
• Tracking Devices PDF/HTML
• Website Resources HTML
• Miscellaneous PDF/HTML