The way the autism spectrum is viewed has changed drastically in the last few years. ASD is much broader than it was in the past. Students are now being more accurately identified and in return receiving needed services at a much earlier age. Some characteristics that students with ASD may exhibit are: * Insistence on sameness * Resistance to change * Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words * Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language * Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others * Prefers to be alone; aloof manner * Tantrums * Difficulty in mixing with others * May not want to cuddle or be cuddled * Little or no eye contact * Unresponsive to normal teaching methods * Sustained odd play * Spins objects * Inappropriate attachments to objects * Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain * No real fears of danger  * Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity * Uneven gross/fine motor skills * Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range. These are just several characteristics and students with ASD may only exhibit a few of them. To meet the needs of students with Autism our department uses some of the following resources: Boardmaker - this program is used to create visual schedules and social stories . Autism Specialist - our department has access to an autism specialist. Sensory Room - students with ASD often need sensory stimulation and to meet this need we have developed a sensory room. For more information please visit the following websites: Autism Society of America www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer Autism Information Center www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/aic/about/default.htm