Read the following text. Use dictionary if necessary. Individuals with autism may have symptoms that are independent of the diagnosis, but that can affect the individual or the family

Individuals with autism may have symptoms that are independent of the diagnosis, but that can affect the individual or the family. An estimated 0.5% to 10% of individuals with ASD show unusual abilities, ranging from skills such as the memorization of trivia to the extraordinarily rare talents of prodigious autistic savants. Many individuals with ASD show superior skills in perception and attention, relative to the general population. Sensory abnormalities are found in over 90% of those with autism, although there is no good evidence that sensory symptoms differentiate autism from other developmental disorders. Sensory abnormalities can be such as under-responsiveness (for example, walking into things) or over-responsiveness (for example, distress from loud noises) or sensation seeking (for example, rhythmic movements). An estimated 60%–80% of autistic people have motor signs that include poor muscle tone, and tiptoe walking; deficits in motor coordination are pervasive across ASD.

Unusual eating behavior occurs in about three-quarters of children with ASD. The most common problem is eating rituals and food refusal also occurs. Parents of children with ASD have higher levels of stress. Siblings of individuals with ASD have greater risk of negative well-being and poorer sibling relationships as adults. About half of parents of children with ASD notice their child's unusual behaviors by age 18 months, and about four-fifths notice by age 24 months. According to an article in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, there are the following indications of autism in children:

- No babbling by 12 months.

- No gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye, etc.) by 12 months.

- Not a single word by 16 months.

- No 2-word spontaneous (not just echolalic) phrases by 24 months.

- Any loss of any language or social skills, at any age.

American and Japanese practices are to screen all children for ASD at 18 and 24 months, using autism-specific formal screening tests. In contrast, in the UK, children whose families or doctors recognize possible signs of autism are screened. It is not known which approach is more effective.

Autism is one of the five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which are characterized by widespread abnormalities of social interactions and communication, and severely restricted interests and highly repetitive behavior. Sometimes the syndrome is divided into low-, medium- or high-functioning autism (LFA, MFA, and HFA), based on IQ thresholds, or on how much support the individual requires in daily life; these subdivisions are not standardized and are controversial.

Autism can also be divided into syndrome and non-syndrome autism. Some studies have reported diagnoses of autism in children due to a loss of language or social skills, as opposed to a failure to make progress, typically from 15 to 30 months of age. The validity of this distinction remains controversial.

Research into causes has been hampered by the inability to identify biologically meaningful subpopulations and by the traditional boundaries between the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, neurology and pediatrics. Newer technologies can help identify biologically relevant phenotypes (observable traits) that can be viewed on brain scans, to help further neurogenetic studies of autism. It can help classify autism using genetics as well as behavior.

Ш. 1. Answer the questions:

1) What unusual abilities show the individuals with autism?

2) What motor signs do children with autism show?

3) What are the most common problems in eating behavior of the children with autism?

4) Can you itemize the indications of autism in children?

5) What is the difference between the American and the English ways of screening of children for ASD?

6) How can newer technologies help individuals with autism?

 

2. Say whether the following statements are true or false:

1) An estimated 0.5% to 10% of individuals with ASD show unusual abilities, ranging from skills such as the memorization of trivia to the extraordinarily rare talents of prodigious autistic savants.

2) Sensory abnormalities are found in all people with autism.

3) An estimated 60%–80% of autistic people have motor signs that include poor muscle tone, and tiptoe walking; deficits in motor coordination are pervasive across ASD.

4) Siblings of individuals with ASD have no risk of negative well-being and poorer sibling relationships as adults.

5) American and Japanese practices are to screen all children for ASD at 18 and 24 months, using autism-specific formal screening tests.

6) Sometimes the syndrome is divided into low-, medium- or high-functioning autism (LFA, MFA, and HFA), based on IQ thresholds, or on how much support the individual requires in daily life; these subdivisions are standardized and are indisputable.

7) Some studies have reported diagnoses of autism in children due to a loss of language or social skills, as opposed to a failure to make progress, typically from 15 to 30 months of age. 8) Newer technologies can help identify biologically relevant phenotypes (observable traits) that can be viewed on brain scans, to help further neurogenetic studies of autism.

3. Continue the sentences:

1)Individuals with autism may have …

2) Many individuals with ASD show…

3) Sensory abnormalities can be such as…

4) About half of parents of children with ASD…

5) In the UK, children whose families or doctors recognize…

6) Autism is one of the five…

7) Research into causes has been hampered by…

4. Which word in the list is odd?

1) no babbling by 12 months, no gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye, etc.) by 12 months, not a single word by 16 months, low IQ, no 2-word spontaneous (not just echolalic) phrases by 24 months, any loss of any language or social skills, at any age;

2) abnormalities of social interactions and communication, abusive treatment, severely restricted interests and highly repetitive behavior;

3) online communities, higher levels of stress, greater risk of negative well-being, poorer sibling relationships as adults;

4) poor muscle tone, tiptoe walking, intellectual insufficiency, deficits in motor coordination.

5. Fill in the blanks with the words from the text:

Unusual … …occurs in about three-quarters of children with ASD.

The most common problem is … … and food refusal also occurs.

... … of individuals with ASD have greater risk of negative well-being and poorer …relationships as adults.

According to an article in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, there are the following indications of autism in children:

No … by 12 months.

No gesturing (pointing, … …, etc.) by 12 months.

Not a … … by 16 months.

No 2-word …(not just echolalic) …by 24 months.

Any loss of any language or social skills, at any age.

American and Japanese practices are … all children for ASD at 18 and 24 months, using autism-specific formal… ….

Autism can also be divided into … and … autism.

The validity of this... remains...

Newer technologies can help identify … … … (observable traits) that can be viewed on… …, to help further neurogenetic studies of autism.

6. Give synonyms from the text:

-the branch of medical science concerned with children and their diseases;

-being without any connection with the diagnosis;

-the petty details or considerations;

-to pick autistic children;

-the noticeable indication.

7. Make up the plan of the text. Here are the titles in the wrong order. Make the order correct:

1) The indications of autism in children;

2) The unusual abilities and abnormalities of people with autism;

3) The usage of the newer technologies to identify and treat autism;

4) The relationships of children with autism with their siblings;

5) The screening of children for ASD.