What does a being on the spectrum mean?

I have heard this a lot recently.

TIA

Message edited 5/15/2007 2:09:44 PM.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

I know it's a term referring to Autism. Spectrum meaning the severity.

Message edited 5/15/2007 2:05:08 PM.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

It has to do with Autism. As far as the severity goes. There are so many different forms ex Asperger's, ADHD.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

I believe its the catch all phrase for PDD (pervasive developmental disorder) and in a practical sense isn't necessarily autism but has some characteristics associated with autism. This is only my general impression.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

ASD stands for "autism spectrum disorder." It is called a spectrum because there are several disorders with varying degrees of severity, ranging from mild autism (PDD-NOS or Aspbergers) to classic autism, which is severe.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

ADHD is not on the autism spectrum.

But yeah, the severity varies.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

Posted by SkyzTheLimit

Posted by jinglemommy

Posted by SkyzTheLimit

It has to do with Autism. As far as the severity goes. There are so many different forms ex Asperger's, ADHD.

just one thing....
i dont think adhd is on the spectrum....it actually is a medical diagnosis and would be classified on an iep as other health impaired..
did you hear it referred to as on the spectrum....just curious....never heard this before.

Yes I have spoken to some doctors that say it is on the spectrum. I'm just going by what I was told.

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

http://www.kspeech.com/articles/detail.cfm?ID=566

Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are two different disorders. Some children with Autism can have ADHD as well. It often takes a great deal of observation by trained professionals to determine if behaviors are because of autism or because of ADHD. For example, children who are autistic often have difficulty with sensory stimulation.

Sensory Stimulation
Children (and adults) with autism can be sensitive to a variety of input which most of us can handle just fine. For example, some people with autism cannot stand the tags on their clothes, or are extra sensitive to flourescent lighting. This as been described as being similar to how most of us react when we hear nails on a chalkboard. While most of us can ignore these "irritants", the autistic person cannot, and so may become fidgety or appear distracted. If a parent, teacher or professional does not take into consideration all of the possible environmental irritants, the autistic child might just seem to have ADHD. The difference between autism and ADHD is that if you can control the sensory irritants the autistic child will generally settle down. The challenge can be in figuring out exactly what causes the irritation. Also, it can be hard to get rid of all irritants. Sometimes the irritant is something that the child will just have to get used to. Children with ADHD, on the other hand, have a harder time identifying and controlling their responses.

Autism and Language
Autism is a breakdown in the ability to communicate, difficulties with social interaction, and limited interests. The communication breakdowns can run from severe to mild, depending on the severity of the autism. All children with autism will benefit from speech therapy at some point in their lives. Most children will require long-term intervention to help them as they grow, develop, and face new communication challenges.

ADHD and Language
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does not necessarily mean that there will be language difficulties. In fact, many children with ADHD have perfectly normal language skills. Children with ADHD, however, often have difficulty in school. This is because school requires a great deal of sitting still and focusing on information (auditory - listening to the teacher, visual - reading textbooks).

Management of Autism and ADHD
Children with ADHD generally learn how to manage their difficulties. Management of ADHD may be handled partly with medication and partly with learning new behavioral strategies. The child with ADHD can benefit from direct instruction in strategies for success (note-taking, using tape-recorders, using agendas/planners, listening strategies). Parents and teachers of children with ADHD may also need to provide accommodations for success (flexible seating, testing in non-distracting environments, study buddy).

Through therapy, children with autism can usually make progress. The type and effectiveness of the therapy depends upon the nature and the severity of the autism. Therapy for children with autism generally addresses language differences as well as strategies for positive social interactions. A famous and successful autistic adult, Temple Grandin, PhD, has described her life like as being "an anthropologist on Mars". She has had to learn what makes us "non-autistics" act, feel, think and talk like we do. I often think of myself as the person who guides the autistic child on this "study" of "human nature".

Re: What does a being on the spectrum mean?

As everyone said, autism is considered a "spectrum" disorder - like colors on the spectrum, there are varying degrees to the severity of autism...

ADHD is not under the PDD umbrella, but there are cases where kids are diagnosed with both autism and ADHD. This is for a variety of reasons, but some are not always valid or appropriate