autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is known as a complex developmental disability. It is a wide-spectrum disorder. This means no two people have exactly the same symptoms. It is “characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.” (Autism Speaks Inc., 2014)
“Children with characteristics of an ASD may have co-occurring conditions, including Fragile X syndrome (which cause mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis, epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. About 20 to 30 percent of children with an ASD develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.” (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2013)
Autism usually presents itself during the first three years of a person’s life. “The condition is the result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on normal brain function, affecting development of the person’s communication and social interaction skills.” (Nordqvist, 2013) “A mutation in the gene that encodes a protein, SynGAP1, severely disrupts how the developing brain circuits organize themselves during a human’s first years if life.” (Nordqvist, 2013) It regulates the development of synaptic function. Around the world, SynGAP1 is estimated to cause disabilities in about 1 million people (Nordqvist, 2013). It is known to be directly involved in raising autism risk (Nordqvist, 2013).
“Autism statistics from the U.S. Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum-a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diag...

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...n the SHANK2 synaptic scaffolding gene have been documented in autism. In addition, the Reelin gene has been associated with autism. This gene helps in lamination of the brain during the fetal life and helps in cell signaling in adult life.” (Mandal, 2014)
Exposure to environmental agents such as infectious agents or chemical agents (including medications and environmental toxins) during pregnancy can cause autism. Viruses may also play a role in causing autism. “Infections that appear to be causally related to the development of autism include encephalitis caused by measles, congenital rubella, herpes simplex virus, mumps, varicella, cytomegalovirus, and Stealth virus.” (Mandal, 2014)
Roles and Responsibilty of speech languages pthaologists in Diagnosis assessments and the treatment of Austism Spectrum Disoders. Across the life span it plays a critical role.