1. The Basics of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Training Series
RAAC Training Committee

2. Child Care Training Series
Modules
 Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence
and Primary Characteristics
 Module Two: Early Signs of Autism
 Module Three: Physical Characteristics of Autism
 Module Four: Cognition and Learning in Autism
 Module Five: Autism and Sensory Differences
 Module Six: Communication and Autism

3. Child Care Training Series
Modules
 Module Seven: Behavior Challenges and Autism
 Module Eight: Understanding Behavior in Persons
with Autism
 Module Nine: Functional Behavior Assessment
 Module Ten: Autism and Play Skills to Teach
 Module Ten: Safety and Autism

4. Early Signs
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Communication Concerns
 Does not respond to his or her name
 Language is absent or delayed
 Parents report that the child used to say
a few words, but now has stopped

5. Early Signs
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Communication Concerns
 Doesn’t point to things or only points to
request
 Repeats or echoes what others say

6. Early Signs
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Social Concerns
 Has poor eye contact
 Gets things for him or herself, rather
than try to get help

7. Early Signs
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Social Concerns
 Doesn’t smile in response to smiles from
others
 Seems to prefer to play alone or doesn’t
seem interested in other children

8. Early Signs
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Behavioral Concerns
 Has preoccupations with certain toys or
items
 Has a narrow range of interest
 Doesn’t seem to know how to play with toys
or lines up toys or other items

9. Early Signs
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Behavioral Concerns
 Attends more to parts of object than the
whole object (i.e. the weeks of a toy car)
 Repetitive or odd motor patterns (i.e.
frequent hand flapping)

10. Big Idea
Child needs further evaluation if:
 No babbling by 12 months
 No gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye, etc.) by
12 months
 No single words by 16 months
 No spontaneous (not repeating other speech)
phrases by 24 months
 ANY loss of ANY language or social skills at
ANY age

11. Talking with Families about their
Child’s Development
 Don’t say to the family member that you think their
child has autism
 Describe the things the child is doing that are
concerning to you
 Pick the right time to discuss your concerns with
the family
 Have suggestions for what the family can do (i.e.
contact the child’s primary care doctor)

12. Talking with Families about their
Child’s Development
 Some families may have a negative reaction or
initially or even longer
 Don’t take the family’s reaction personally

13. Big Idea
It is important to let a family
know that you are concerned
about their child’s development
as soon as possible