Pierce County FAST Teams Monthly Team Meeting Agenda May 12, 2015 Call in Option: (805) 360-1000 Pin: 803 665 1. Introductions/Announcements 2. Disaster Supports for Autistic People, Diana Stadden and Ivanova Smith 3. Scenario Based Discussion 4. Adjourn Next meeting: June 12, 2015 1:30-3:30 pm Care Teams and Medical Reserve Corps Pierce County DEM 2501 South 35 th Street, Suite D Tacoma, WA 98409
Disaster Supports for Autistic People May 12, 2015 - Presentation for the Pierce County Functional Assessment Service Team (FAST) Recognizing Autism It is a neurological disability Affects 1 of every 68 individuals Symptoms usually appear before age 3 There is no medical test to diagnose Affects communication skills and social skills Have sensory difficulties Exhibit unpredictable behaviors Autism is a spectrum disorder 1
Sensory Processing Each sense should work with the others to form a composite picture of who we are physically, where we are in the space around us, and what is happening around us. Sensory experiences include touch, smell, taste, sight, sound, movement, body awareness, and the pull of gravity. For most of us, effective sensory integration occurs automatically, unconsciously, without effort. For some of us, the process is inefficient, demanding effort and attention with no guarantee of accuracy. Sensory Difficulties Hypersensitive or hyposensitive Loud, sudden noises Being touched unexpectedly React strongly to some smells Sensitivity to various lighting Taste/textures Difficulty with balance & coordination 2
Tactile Reactions Clothing/tags can irritate Rain irritation Hygiene often is difficult May not want to shower/change May take their clothes off May seem not to feel pain May bite or hit themselves May like to flip switches repeatedly Can t be touched or very affectionate Auditory Reactions Fearful of sirens May clap their hands over their ears Loud sounds may physically hurt Harsh voices can scare May talk loudly and robotically Too many people talking at once Echolalia/phrase repetition Auditory Processing 3
Central Auditory Processing Disorder Sound localization: ability to know where a sound has occurred in space. (moving vehicle) Auditory discrimination: ability to distinguish one sound from another. Auditory pattern recognition: ability to determine similarities and differences in patterns of sounds. Auditory performance decrements: ability to perceive speech when another signal is present. Visual Reactions Flickering or flashing lights Cluttered rooms Lots of motion, crowds Difficulty recognizing people Like shiny objects Attracted to water Cluttered walls Misunderstand pointing to specific place/direction 4
Olfactory/Oral Reactions React strongly to some smells May gag or be distressed with certain smells May try to smell you up close Reactions to common foods/textures Hyper-focused on certain food Don t want foods to touch on plate Brushing teeth difficulty Grind teeth Vestibular Input from the inner ear about equilibrium and position in space May show intolerance to movement or unstable surfaces May need movement (pacing or rocking) Afraid to go down steps or ride escalators Like to spin/whirl in circles Sensitivity to wind 5
Proprioceptive Input from the muscles and joints about body position Stimming hand flapping/rocking Needs tight hugs, wrap up tight Head banging Unintentionally hurt animals Uses too much force (slamming doors) Bump into people May have low muscle tone Causes of Behavior Unable to communicate what s wrong Being hungry or tired, too hot or too cold Personal space is invaded Reaction to new medications Memories that trigger current behavior Inability to communicate needs/wants Feel like they are in trouble Loss of comfort item 6
Understand Responses Overstimulated No real fear of danger Extreme hyperactivity/underactivity Auditory Processing difficulty Difficulty making transitions Off of routine Don t recognize personal space Trouble understanding property ownership Stimming Rocking, flapping, pacing Attachment to object Has to fidget with something Rip holes in clothes Echolalia Head-banging Biting, hitting, hurting self Repetition of visuals or auditory Talk to themselves 7
Accommodations Don t interfere with their belongings Don t try to stop stimming behaviors Don t force eye contact Ask one question at a time Give them extra response time Prepare them before each action you take Use gently expressed key words such as Indoor voice and Good job for May have sleeping difficulties Calming Help Ask for people who know them Use tunnel or pressure vest Rubbing head Find a favorite toy or game Picture book if non-verbal Turn on video/game phone/tablet Headphones to block noise May have a service animal for calming 8
Helpful Supports Minimize distractions Find sensory interferences Frequent positive reinforcements Find/keep with someone familiar Distract with music or videos helps Dark can be calming Avoidance of gaze, closing eyes Provide quiet, private space Replace dangerous activities Communicating Stay flexible, talk calmly Give visual cues, schedules Limit directions to 1-3 at a time Reword, rephrase to ensure understanding Converse on their subject first Don t misinterpret lack of pain Fine may only be automatic response Copy your body language and reactions Don t assume a person who is non-verbal doesn t understand what you say to them 9
Social Awareness Don t recognize facial expressions Trouble regulating emotions Expressions seem inappropriate Difficulty recognizing faces Struggle to understand others intent Take things literally Turn-taking difficulties Personal space awareness Inappropriate questions/comments Watch for Abuse Potential for exploitation Potential for sexual abuse Don t understand own sexual desires/feelings Don t recognize when they are being set up Personal space issues Don t understand consent Desire to please 10
Sensory Toolbox Stuffed animals Hand held video game Movable figures Legos Play-Doh Cars with spinning wheels Headphones Lycra tunnel Dome tent/heavy pillows Coffee Beans More Information Ivanova Smith lauralovesian@hotmail.com Diana Stadden Diana@arcwa.org The Arc of Washington State www.arcwa.org Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) http://autisticadvocacy.org 11