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Introduction about autism
Autism and its impact on child development
Compare and contrast four developmental theories
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The short documentary video “Prisoners of Silence” focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders with a clear emphasis on autism. It further delves into the rather controversial method of treatment for autism known as facilitated communication, which was first developed in the early 1990s. The video follows the introduction and ultimately the downfall of such a treatment as controversy quickly ensues after a series of sexual abuse cases and ample scientific evidence are produced. As the video introduces the audience to facilitated communication, a treatment which at the time was considered a revolutionary and miraculous treatment, I began to experience a strong sense of happiness followed by a rush of hopeful and optimistic emotions which were attributed to the implications of such treatment. No longer, I thought, will children who are born with such a horrible disorder will have to continue to experience the horrors of the inability to …show more content…
The implementation of facilitated communication led people to believe that it could give a voice to these children. It essentially gave them an unintentional false sense of hope and comfort. Even though the evidence disproving the positive and promising effects of such treatment was ample, the implementation of this without prior research lead people to forfeit the chance to get a treatment that actually worked and that was scientifically backed. It blinded some parents to the unmistakable fac that the treatment was not working as it provided outputs that were false and deeply corrupted by the facilitator. This blindness negatively affected the children as they continued to be exposed to this ineffective treatment instead of being exposed to treatments that actually
Giving others who do not suffer from autism or caregivers an insight on how the individual may be feeling and what they are going through. This book can also help numerous medical professionals such as speech-language pathologists and pediatric doctors. As Grandin stated in the book that not all sufferers act, think, and feel the same so this novel may not be beneficial to readers who are looking for information on a wide scale of individuals who suffer from the illness. She also stated that there is no cure for autism, however some medications can help with some symptoms such as depression or anxiety. What intrigued me the most about Grandin was that she never gave up and worked on her social skills. Not only did she became a spokesperson for autism, but also became a professor at Colorado State University in which both require public speaking and being comfortable in front of people.
The Case of Temple Grandin paints a picture of a young woman’s determination and hard work while struggling with autism during a time when the disorder was unknown. This case discusses Grandin’s challenges, early diagnosis, growth and development in school, and support from her mother. Temple Grandin could not speak like the other children at the age of two, so because doctors could not find any physical issues she had been subsequently labeled as brain-damaged. To communicate with others, she would throw tantrums and scream. She could speak by three and a half years old with the help of speech therapy. A few years later at the age of five, Grandin was diagnosed with autism so her mother worked with her 30 minutes every day to keep her from being placed in an institution. At her aunt’s ranch, Grandin develops the “squeeze machine” a device used to apply pressure without being stimulating. Grandin excelles in school and receives her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Franklin Pierce College in 1970. After her graduation from college in 1970, Grandin attends Arizona State University where she earns a master’s degree in cattle in 1975. In 1989, Grandin earns her doctoral degree from the University of Urbana-Champaign in animal science. Grandin has never married, but she is proof that individuals with autism can lead productive and notable lives (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009).
In “The Great Silence” Ted Chiang presents the reader with the idea that humans and other intelligent species do live on earth. Communication between different species on earth can be difficult because they can’t express their thoughts to one another. According to a possible solution to fermi’s paradox, intelligent life would rather hide than to present themselves to potential enemies. Humans have a hard time trying to find other species to communicate with because they only focus on extraterrestrial life. Humans created the Arecibo observatory to send out signals into space and pick up any signals that could be sent by extraterrestrial life. Although Humans cannot speak directly to other species we are able to communicate with our actions and vibes.
4)Overview of Autism by Stephen Edelson, Ph. D., at the Center for the Study of Autism
First described and named by Leo Kanner in 1944, the mysterious disability of autism is characterized by a peculiar emotional and intellectual detachment from other people and the common human world. In autistic children, an impaired capacity for communication and human relationships and a severely restricted range of activities and interests become evident before the age of three. Although the symptoms vary in nature and severity, language and the capacity for a normal social life are always seriously affected. Two to four out of 10,000 children are autistic; 75% of them are boys (Chase et al., 1993).
The Autism Spectrum is a mystery. With no cause or cure, researchers have been working hard, to the best of their abilities, to diagnose, treat, and educate those with autism. For centuries, since 1943, with enhanced technology, the view on autism has improved tremendously. New advancements have been developed to diagnose autism earlier, help create more successful treatments, and to help better an educational plan for people with autism.
...l awareness to the ability to process language and sensory experiences and integrate with ones own environment. Until research on autism and other developmental disabilities yields more information about how autism affects neurological function, children and adults who are affected will not be served to the fullest extent of our capabilities as providers of equal education and health care to all. It is only with more information about the neurological differences in the autistic brain that we will fully understand the best way to teach persons with autism so that they might participate to their fullest potential within their community. It is my personal belief that great progress will be made during my own lifetime and that a new level of outcome will be the normal expectation for parents when their child receives this shattering diagnosis during the next generation.
In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 1 in 80 and 1 in 240, for an average of 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder, “ASD” (Nirv, Shah 2011). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, up to six out of every 1,000 children may be diagnosed with some form of autism. In addition, boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism. This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. Unfortunately, the numbers appear to be increasing rapidly. Autism is a disability that frequently appears during the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills (Bee & Boyd, 2009). It is the most prevalent developmental disorder to date. Autism is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development," including social interaction and communications skills (Zager, 2006). The etiology of autism is a topic of controversial debate, while researchers strive to achieve a common objective. The goal is to identify the cause of autism to understand the complex interplay between environment and gene regulation (NCBI, 2009). Although individuals with autism have existed for many centuries it was not recognized and labeled until mid 20th century. Therefore, early detection, intervention and an individual educational plan are essentials for the progress of ASD.
Autism, or a disorder of social and functional challenges (‘Facts about ASD’), affects about 1 in every 68 children in the world today (‘Facts about ASD’). More than 3.5 million Americans have some form of the disorder, although autism only takes up 1 percent of the world (‘Facts and Statistics’). The cause of autism has not yet appeared to scientists, but they have developed different ways of living for the mother to do before she gets pregnant, after she gets pregnant and after the baby’s birth to prevent autism arising in a child (‘Can Autism Be Prevented?’). Autism robs children and adults of the rights they have to walk, talk, and think like normal humans do every single day. My personal experience with autism showed me what the condition
Through her incredible journey, Carly Fleischmann struggled to live a normal life after learning that she has been diagnosed with Autism and Oral Motor Apraxia. Autism is a severe developmental disorder that appears in the first three months after birth. Common features include persistent deficits in communication and social interactions, along with repetitive pattern behaviors or activities. Oral Motor Apraxia is a motor speech disorder with varying symptoms that depend on the age of the individual, and their severity. In Carly’s case, at ten years old she had shown continued delays in language and began to use a communication device called DynaWrite. This device enabled Carly to express her opinions and thoughts through a keyboard since she was unable to speak.
Despite having years of scientific research on Autism and its related condition Asperger’s Syndrome; forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders still remain somewhat of a mystery disorder. There are many treatments available for individuals suffering from these disorders however; a cure is yet to be found. Early differences in social behavior can be the basis for diagnosis of autism as early as 12 months of age (Berkell 10). Early intensive treatment can prove beneficial and produce a dramatic difference in the lives of children that are typically diagnosed after the age of two. If children are diagnosed early enough it will have a great effect on their lives, their families and society by expanding their involvement in the community, efforts in education and decreasing problematic behaviors.
This comprehensive literature review is based on the analysis and research done on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a brain development disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. The social problems include less attention to social stimuli, less eye contact and difficulty in learning. The communication problem is due to a significant delay in language development as it affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize. Since the symptoms characterized by every affected individual is unique it is coined as “spectrum disorder”.
Autism is a disability that the majority of people do not know much about because it used to be so uncommon. Now, many people look at someone with a disability and see him or her as different, stupid, “retarded”, unaware, or not normal, which is not the case at all. Autism has never been looked at the way it should. It has been a disability, that over the past centuries only happened every once in a while. That has changed. This essay will explore the world of autism going back to the history of where it all began to now. Especially looking at the diagnosis and symptoms of autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder. This essay will explain why it is increasing so rapidly in this generation and what we can do to be more aware of autism.
In the 1940s researchers in the United States began to use the word autism to describe kids with emotional and social issues. From the 1960s to the 1970s scientist focused on treatments such as LSD, electrical shock therapy, and behavioral change techniques A History of Autism. (N.d.). Autism can be diagnosed at an early age of eighteen months. There are different stages categorized of autism. As of today in the United States one in sixty-eight children are diagnosed with autism. That is one in forty-two boys and one in one hundred eighty nine girls. Boys have a higher chance than girls. This year’s research showed that there has been an increment in children with autism, and they don’t understand why this is increasing.