Autism: A Lack of the I-function

2197 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Clinical features of autism

Autism: A Lack of the I-function In the words of Uta Frith, a proclaimed expert on autism, autistic persons lack the underpinning "special feature of the human mind: the ability to reflect on itself." ((3)) And according to our recent discussions in class, the ability to reflect on one's internal state is the job of a specific entity in the brain known as the I-function. Could it be that autism is a disease of this part of the mind, a damage or destruction to these specialized groups of neurons which make up the process we perceive as conscious thought? And if this is so, what are the implications? Are autistic persons inhuman? Which part of their brain is so different from "normal" people, and how did the difference arise? The specific array of symptoms used to diagnose an individual as autistic do not appear as straightforward as Frith's simple statement. It seems hard to fathom that they could all arise from one similar defect in a certain part of the brains of all autistics. Examples of these symptoms include a preference for sameness and routine, stereotypic and/or repetitive motor movements, echolalia, an inability to pretend or understand humor ((3)), "bizarre" behavior((4)) and use of objects ((2)), lack of spontaneity, excellent rote memory ((2)), folded, square-shaped ears ((3)), lack of facial expression, oversensitivity, lack of sensitivity, mental retardation, and savant abilities. Obviously not all autistics exhibit all of these characteristics. Psychologists, however, often believe certain symptoms to be more indicative of the disease than others. The world autism stems from a Greek word meaning, roughly, "selfism." Autistics are described as very self-absorbed, and some academics refer to a short lis... ... middle of paper ... ...c American February 2000: 56-63. 4)Frith, Uta. "Autism." Scientific American June 1993, reprinted 1997: 92-98. 5)Teicher, Martin H. "The Neurology of Child Abuse." Scientific American March 2002: 68-75. 6) Autism and Savant Syndrome, , web paper by Sural Shah. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web2/Shah.html#2 7) Considerations of Individuality in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism, , web paper by Lacey Tucker. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web2/Tucker.html 8) Diagnosis: Autism, , Mothering Magazine, Patricia S. Lemer, 2003. http://www.mothering.com/10-0-0/html/10-2-0/10-2-autism100.shtml 9) Paintings by Richard Wawro, , an online gallery of an autistic savant's work. http://www.wawro.net/gallery_home.html 10)Duigan, J. (Director). (1998) Molly. [Video-tape]. Santa Monica, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.

Show More
Related

  • Review of Descartes: An Intellectual Biography and Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    Review of Descartes: An Intellectual Biography and Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain

    Read More

  • The Power Of Hester Prynne In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    1065 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, a female protagonist named Hester Prynne is subjected to public humiliation and alienation from the Puritan society because she committed adultery. This “sinful” act is further enhanced when her husband, Roger Chillingworth, comes to Boston, and Hester is forced to keep the secret identities of her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, and her husband concealed from the community. Over the course of her seven-year journey, she becomes more independent, more free, and a model of feministic power to the Freudian society that had once marked her bosom with the letter “A” to shame her. Hawthorne depicts the contrasting views of the patriarchal Puritan society, which is characterized by the town and Dimmesdale against

    Read More

  • Hester Prynne Transformation

    1314 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the 17th century, Puritans believed scripture dictated every aspect of their lives. It appeared evident in the Puritan faith that their defiant actions and inner thoughts were to remain repressed. Puritans felt the urge to resist their impulses because by law, each desire they had, exemplified a tug from the devil. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne takes his character, Hester Prynne, who commits acts of infidelity, and turns her against the Puritan community. Although the scarlet “A” objectifies Hester’s humanity and exposes strict Puritan society, it also liberates her as a result of her ultimate transformation.

    Read More

  • The Everchanging Diagnosis of Autism

    1655 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 1968, the APA referred to autism as a single disorder, and now it is known to be a syndrome of behavioral and medical effects. Along with autism, several related disorders are grouped under Pervasive Developmental Disorders, PDD, a general category ...

    Read More

  • The Distinction Between Mind and Body

    2176 Words  | 5 Pages

    In arguing for the distinction between mind and body, Descartes seeks to show that the two are independent substances and can exist separately. It will be useful to outline Descartes’ argument based on clear and distinct perception by listing his premises and conclusion. The essay will then analyse each premise in turn, arguing that the argument fails because his premises are faulty. The argument, found in the Sixth Meditation, runs as follows

    Read More

  • Status, Gender, and Social Roles in William Shakespeare's Plays

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    The nexus of status, gender, and societal roles are consistently topics of interest among people, and can be found throughout the plays of William Shakespeare. More evident in their original production, however, through modern renditions and personal interpretation of readings these topics reoccur often His work dictated specific roles for men and women. Through analyzing said roles one can derive insights regarding the esteem of women and how the relative devaluing of women shaped normal gender roles. However, Shakespeare provides conflicting interpretations, dependent upon the light in which his work is read. Among the possible differing interpretations of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” stands a reoccurring argument throughout history of, men vs. women in a battle of status/power. After reading the play one could make the argument that women are inferior to their counterparts, however, at the same time, the argument could be made that women have more power than men, and both positions be considered accurate.

    Read More

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

    1845 Words  | 4 Pages

    Autism is a form of neurodevelopment disorder in the autism spectrum disorders. It is characterized by impaired development in social interactions and communication, both verbal and non-verbal. There is an observed lack of spontaneous acts of communication; both receptive and expressed, as well as speech impairments. A person diagnosed with Autism will also show a limited range of activities and interests, as well as forming and maintain peer relationships. The individuals will display limited interests, which are often very focused and repetitive. He or she is likely to be very routine oriented and may show behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and self-injurious behaviors.

    Read More

  • Autism Essay

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    Autism, like cerebral palsy or epilepsy is not a single disease. It is a name given to behavioral phenotype that may have many etiologies. The word autism is derived from a Greek word “autos” which means “self”. Thus autism meant ‘isolated self’. Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, was the first person to use the word autism. He started using it around 1911 to refer to a group of symptoms of schizophrenia. In 1942 researchers started using the term Autism to describe children with emotional or social problems.

    Read More

  • Role Stress Has On a Family With A Child With Autism

    1597 Words  | 4 Pages

    Snell, M. E. (2003). Autism, Education of Individuals with. In J. W. Guthrie (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Education (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 161-162). New York: Macmillan Reference USA.

    Read More

  • animal rights

    669 Words  | 2 Pages

    In fact, Descartes declared, most of human behavior, like that of animals, is susceptible to simple mechanistic explanation. Cleverly designed automata could successfully mimic nearly all of what we do. Thus, Descartes argued, it is only the general ability to adapt to widely varying circumstances—and, in particular, the capacity to respond creatively in the use of language—that provides a sure test for the presence of an immaterial soul associated with the normal human body.

    Read More

  • Autism

    1530 Words  | 4 Pages

    Autism is not a disease, but a developmental disorder of brain function. People with classical autism show three types of symptoms: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and imagination, and unusual or severely limited activities and interests. Symptoms of autism usually appear during the first three years of childhood and continue throughout life. Although there is no cure, appropriate management may foster relatively normal development and reduce undesirable behaviors.

    Read More

  • The Argument Of René Descartes Meditations On First Philosophy

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his Meditations on First Philosophy, René Descartes seeks to prove that corporeal objects exist. This argument is put forth based on the principles and supposed facts he has built up throughout the Meditations. In order to fully understand his argument for the existence of corporeal things, one must trace his earlier arguments for effects and their causes, the existence of God, the nature of God, and his ability to never make mistakes.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Autism

    1955 Words  | 4 Pages

    Understanding autism, which is professionally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, otherwise known as (ADS) can be a difficult task, especially for someone who is not trained in helping persons with disabilities. The first person to discover autism was a child psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943. He names the spectrum disorder after the Greek word autos, meaning of or for oneself, due to the way the child display social avoidance. Many doctors’ believed in the past that autism was caused by the way the mother not caring for her child properly or ignoring him or her. There was also a time when it was thought to be caused by certain environmental stresses that cause neurological issues within the brain. Autism is one of the most misunderstood

    Read More

  • Teaching Children with Autism

    1481 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dempsey, I. & Foreman, P. ( 2001). A Review of Educational Approaches for Individuals with Autism. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 48 (1), 105-116.

    Read More

  • Cartesian Dualism Analysis

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    The discussion begins regarding animals as non-human machines, all of whose actions can be fully explained without the inference of a mind. Descartes declared, most human behavior, like that of animals, is susceptible to simple mechanistic explanation. Uniquely designed bodily regulations can be imitated by carefully designed machines (19). Thus, Descartes argued, it is only the general ability to adapt to widely varying circumstances—and, in particular, the capacity to respond creatively in the use of language—that provides a sure test for the presence of an immaterial soul associated with the normal human

    Read More

More about Autism: A Lack of the I-function

Open Document