Early Identification And Intervention Services (EIIS)

What is EIIS?
EIIS Video
EIIS Service Delivery System
What is ASD? Service Provider
Parent Resource Package
Training Opportunities
Regional Evaluation Report

What is ASD?
Areas of Impairment | Autism and Related Disorders Handbook | How is ASD Diagnosed? | Links

What is Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)?
The term Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a general term referring to a group of disorders described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) under the heading Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The term Autistic Spectrum Disorders is interchangeable with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and refers to the 5 diagnostic categories listed below.

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

Each of the disorders within the "spectrum" of autism share a range of related characteristics which include impairments in three general areas:

Social Development
Communication
Behaviour

Children along the "autistic spectrum" show impairments in social development, communication and behaviour to varying degrees.⁴ Some children with ASD may not demonstrate any symptoms that are quickly noticeable. Some children with ASD may have normal or even advanced development in certain areas, while others may show more serious impairments.
The tremendous variation in the specific symptoms shown in different children with ASD can make it very difficult to diagnose. Because of this, ASD may be mistaken for deafness, emotional disturbance, language disorder, or just slow development.
The early identification and diagnosis of ASD is very important.⁷ Children who are diagnosed early can receive early intervention that will help them to develop to their potential. Research suggests that interventions should take place as early as possible to provide the most opportunity for progress.

What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a complex biological disorder of development that lasts throughout a person's life.¹ Autism affects the way people understand what they see, hear and otherwise sense.² People with autism have difficulty with social interaction and communication, so they may not be able to have a conversation with you, or they may not be able to look you in the eye. They sometimes have behaviours that they feel they have to do or behaviours that they do over and over.
One person with autism may have different symptoms, show different behaviours and come from different environments than other people with autism.² Because of these differences we now think of autism as a "spectrum" disorder. The spectrum refers to a group of disorders that share a range of similar features. As more research into autism is done, we gain a better understanding of the "autistic spectrum" that includes autism and other autism-like disorders. Often, when we talk about autism we are actually referring to the autistic spectrum.
The Autistic Spectrum:
Autistic Disorder (classical autism) is the most well known of the disorders on the autistic spectrum. Research estimates that Autistic Disorder occurs in approximately 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births.⁶ When all the disorders on the autistic spectrum are considered, the estimate rises to approximately 4 or 5 out of every 1000 births.
Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett's Disorder also make up part of the autistic spectrum. These disorders can differ from Autistic Disorder in three ways:¹⁷

In the age of onset (when symptoms first become noticeable)
In the number of autistic symptoms present
In the types of symptoms present

A child along the autistic spectrum can fall anywhere on the continuum from the least to the most affected.4 Every child is different. Each of the disorders that make up the autistic spectrum share a range of related characteristics. These characteristics fall into three general areas of impairment and include:^17,5
1. Impairments in social interaction - how your child relates with you or other people in his or her environment.

For example: A child with ASD may not seek out or enjoy the company of others.

2. Impairments in communication - your child's ability to share information and to let other people know what he or she wants or needs.

For example: A child with ASD may not point to what he/she wants. If they can speak, they may not be able to start a conversation or keep a conversation going.

3. Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities- The way your child acts or responds to the world around him.

For example: A child with ASD may need to follow a very specific routine. If this routine is interrupted or changed the child may become very upset.

The degree to which a child has difficulty in any of these three areas will vary depending on how severe the Autistic Spectrum Disorder is.⁴ At the severe end of the spectrum you may see a child who cannot speak, who does not interact or communicate with others, and has many unusual behaviours. At the milder end of the spectrum you may see a child who is exceptional in his ability to speak, who tries to interact with others and has some behaviours and habits that seem a little unusual.

Christina Schulze-Allen - EIIS Regional Coordinator
Western Regional CAYAC, P.O. Box 520, Middleton
Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0
Email: csa.cyiwg@ns.sympatico.ca Phone: (902) 825-5377
Fax: (902) 825-5379

Supported by
Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre
Technical Resource Centre


What is EIIS? EIIS Video EIIS Service Delivery System What is ASD?		Service Provider Parent Resource Package Training Opportunities Regional Evaluation Report
What is ASD? Areas of Impairment \| Autism and Related Disorders Handbook \| How is ASD Diagnosed? \| Links What is Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)? The term *Autistic Spectrum Disorders* (ASD) is a general term referring to a group of disorders described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) under the heading *Pervasive Developmental Disorders* (PDD). The term Autistic Spectrum Disorders is interchangeable with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and refers to the 5 diagnostic categories listed below. Autistic Disorder Asperger's Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Rett's Disorder Each of the disorders within the "spectrum" of autism share a range of related characteristics which include impairments in three general areas: Social Development Communication Behaviour Children along the "autistic spectrum" show impairments in social development, communication and behaviour to varying degrees.⁴ Some children with ASD may not demonstrate any symptoms that are quickly noticeable. Some children with ASD may have normal or even advanced development in certain areas, while others may show more serious impairments. The tremendous variation in the specific symptoms shown in different children with ASD can make it very difficult to diagnose. Because of this, ASD may be mistaken for deafness, emotional disturbance, language disorder, or just slow development. The early identification and diagnosis of ASD is very important.⁷ Children who are diagnosed early can receive early intervention that will help them to develop to their potential. Research suggests that interventions should take place as early as possible to provide the most opportunity for progress. What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a complex biological disorder of development that lasts throughout a person's life.¹ Autism affects the way people understand what they see, hear and otherwise sense.² People with autism have difficulty with social interaction and communication, so they may not be able to have a conversation with you, or they may not be able to look you in the eye. They sometimes have behaviours that they feel they have to do or behaviours that they do over and over. One person with autism may have different symptoms, show different behaviours and come from different environments than other people with autism.² Because of these differences we now think of autism as a "spectrum" disorder. The spectrum refers to a group of disorders that share a range of similar features. As more research into autism is done, we gain a better understanding of the "autistic spectrum" that includes autism and other autism-like disorders. Often, when we talk about autism we are actually referring to the autistic spectrum. The Autistic Spectrum: Autistic Disorder (classical autism) is the most well known of the disorders on the autistic spectrum. Research estimates that Autistic Disorder occurs in approximately 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births.⁶ When all the disorders on the autistic spectrum are considered, the estimate rises to approximately 4 or 5 out of every 1000 births. Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett's Disorder also make up part of the autistic spectrum. These disorders can differ from Autistic Disorder in three ways:¹⁷ In the age of onset (when symptoms first become noticeable) In the number of autistic symptoms present In the types of symptoms present A child along the autistic spectrum can fall anywhere on the continuum from the least to the most affected.4 Every child is different. Each of the disorders that make up the autistic spectrum share a range of related characteristics. These characteristics fall into three general areas of impairment and include:^17,5 1. Impairments in social interaction - how your child relates with you or other people in his or her environment. For example: A child with ASD may not seek out or enjoy the company of others. 2. Impairments in communication - your child's ability to share information and to let other people know what he or she wants or needs. For example: A child with ASD may not point to what he/she wants. If they can speak, they may not be able to start a conversation or keep a conversation going. 3. Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities- The way your child acts or responds to the world around him. For example: A child with ASD may need to follow a very specific routine. If this routine is interrupted or changed the child may become very upset. The degree to which a child has difficulty in any of these three areas will vary depending on how severe the Autistic Spectrum Disorder is.⁴ At the severe end of the spectrum you may see a child who cannot speak, who does not interact or communicate with others, and has many unusual behaviours. At the milder end of the spectrum you may see a child who is exceptional in his ability to speak, who tries to interact with others and has some behaviours and habits that seem a little unusual.

Christina Schulze-Allen - EIIS Regional Coordinator Western Regional CAYAC, P.O. Box 520, Middleton Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0 Email: csa.cyiwg@ns.sympatico.ca	Phone: (902) 825-5377 Fax: (902) 825-5379
Supported by Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre Technical Resource Centre