About Autism Navigator ASD Video Glossary.pdf

Jimmy at 15 Months

Jimmy is initiating and responding to social interaction with both his mom and the clinician. He shares his interest in the bubbles with his mom by looking at her, smiling, and showing her the bubbles.

Ethan at 17 Months

Ethan is not responding to social interaction with either his mom or the clinician. Instead, he is overly focused on knocking down and rolling the jar.

The ASD Video Glossary is a web-based tool designed to help families and professionals learn more about the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This tool was developed by the Florida State University Autism Institute in collaboration with First Signs and Autism Speaks and has been available to the public free of charge since 2007.

The ASD Video Glossary has been brought into the Autism Navigator collection and updated both in content based on the new DSM-5 diagnostic framework and in technology for accessibility on mobile devices.

Acknowledgments

The ASD Video Glossary was created by Amy M. Wetherby, PhD, Director of the Florida State University Autism Institute; Nancy D. Rich Wiseman, Founder and Director of First Signs; and Steve Barnes, Media and Technology Coordinator at the Florida State University Autism Institute. Site architecture, design, and programming provided by the Florida Center for Interactive Media. Funding provided by Autism Speaks, the Joseph LeRoy & Ann C. Warner Fund, John Leopold Weil and Geraldine Rickard Weil Memorial Charitable Foundation, Inc., and the State of Florida Legislature.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the families and clinicians who participated in this video project. It is because of your generosity that so many other families and professionals throughout the world will be able to learn from your children. And a heartfelt “Thank You” to the panel of professionals and parents who reviewed the ASD Video Glossary, including Alison Singer; Peter Bell; Lisa Goring; Rebecca Landa, PhD; Catherine Lord, PhD; Audrey Mars, MD; Tracy McDonald; Jennifer Pinto-Martin, PhD; Catherine Rice, PhD; Wendy Stone, PhD; and Audrey Thurm, PhD.

Diagnostic Features Section

The ASD Video Glossary contains more than 100 video clips illustrating the diagnostic features of ASD. Side-by-side video clips show behaviors that are typical in contrast with those that are red flags for autism. Whether you are a parent, family member, friend, physician, clinician, childcare provider, or educator, the glossary can help you see the subtle differences between typical and delayed development in young children and spot the early red flags for ASD. All of the children featured in the ASD Video Glossary as having red flags for ASD are, in fact, diagnosed with ASD.

Please keep in mind, there are many presenting features associated with ASD that are depicted in the video clips. However, most children do not show all of the features all of the time. Instead, many children have some of the features some of the time. Awareness of these common presenting features may help to heighten your index of suspicion. Individually, they may not indicate a problem; however, in combination, they may indicate a need to conduct a screening or a diagnostic evaluation. Not all signs and features need be present for ASD to be diagnosed. Please note: the ASD Video Glossary is not a diagnostic tool.

Treatment Section

The Treatment section includes more than 100 video clips illustrating some of the more commonly used interventions for young children with ASD: behavioral interventions, developmental interventions, structured teaching and supports, clinical therapies, and toddler treatment models. We have chosen to focus on treatments that can be represented and understood in video format. There are many other treatments available and families are encouraged to speak with their professional team members to choose the treatments that address the individual needs of their child.

The treatments represented in the Glossary may not be appropriate for all children. While there are no conclusive studies showing one approach is better than another, some approaches have been researched more than others and many approaches incorporate similar strategies. Parents and professionals are encouraged to look at all approaches and choose treatment strategies that best fit the needs of the child and family. This Glossary of treatments is not inclusive – there are plenty more treatments offered. Further, we do not endorse or recommend any treatment or program. We simply offer this Glossary of video clips and invite you to explore the different options. Additionally, we encourage you to download the 68-page PDF treatment descriptions where you will see a list of the top research references that support each of the treatments.