Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically 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 226). Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. The overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, but is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. “Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, and family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence” (Frith 85)
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 26). “Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 2 to 6 per 1,000 individuals” (Wetherby 143). This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism.
While understanding of autism has grown tremendously since Dr. Leo Kanner first described it in 1943, most of the public, including many professionals in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are still unaware of how autism affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with autism. Contrary to popular understanding, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions, although in varying degrees. Like other children, they respond to their environment in both positive and negative ways.
Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. The person may have difficulty initiating or maintaining a conversation. Communication is often described as talking at others (for example, talking in the form of monologue, allowing no interjecting comments from the other party). For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common. Their senses may be over-or under-active. The fuzz on a peach may actually be experienced as painful or the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful.
What is Autism? Autism, more recently referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is an umbrella term for a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that can be characterized by difficulties with verbal & nonverbal communication, social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. The word spectrum infers that there is a range of symptoms, impairments, and severity of ASD. Theses can be arranged as a hierarchical levels based on the severity and functionality of the individual. The sub groups of ASD include
persons with brain disorders could help better understand perception and cognition. It is correct that unusual brains can perceive differently from a standard brain. These studies can only help the scientific field expand its understanding of the brain by encompassing all brains, including those suffering from disorders. In short, brain disorders
Autism spectrum disorder is complex in and of itself but that complexity is only compounded by the comorbid conditions that can come with it. Some of these include sensory processing disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and seizures. Understanding the disorder and its comorbid conditions is challenging yet important for parents, medical professionals, and educators. A common comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder is sensory processing disorder. Sensory processing disorder is the breakdown
Autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, a higher function branch of autism spectrum disorder, affect many adults in the world. These disorders affect the development of thinking and social skills. Many adults have difficulty leading normal lives due to the effects of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome. They have difficulty in school, at work, and even in the social situations of everyday life. The paper examines how autism spectrum disorder affects adults in fields such
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is behavioral and social communication impairment. It is a broad-based neurodevelopment or brain-based disorder that is the result of genetic events that occur prior to birth with widespread effects on cognitive and socio-emotional development (Geschwind, 2009). Scientist’s aren’t certain about what causes autism, but it’s generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function, genetics/heredity, or environmental factors. Studies
Autism is a neurobiological disorder that causes discrepancies or differences in the way information is processed (Essential Guide to Finally Understanding Autism). The process of obtaining information affects an individual with autisms ability to do many things. For example, someone with this particular disorder may have more trouble understanding and using language to interact and communicate with people. He or she may also experience difficulty understanding and relating to people, events, and
characteristics or Autism Spectrum Disorder, including its symptoms, treatments, and possible causes. This paper will also highlight the differences between Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and Asperger Disorder(AD). Autism spectrum disorders effect one in 110 births in the United States. Autism spectrum disorders are severe, incurable developmental disorders whose symptoms, including impairments in social interaction and communication, emerge during the first two years of life. Asperger disorder distinguishes
helped shape our understanding of the world have in common with a post-Impressionist painter, an American author, distinguished composer, and multi-billionaire? The answer…autism. Through retrospective diagnosis and research, all seven men have been speculated to have had autism or display symptoms and behavioral traits of autistic individuals. Admittedly, when I first chose to explore autism, I figured it would be an easier psychological issue to discuss than bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia.
Autism is a collection of various neurodevelopmental disorders, often represented by social communication difficulties and unusual, repetitive behavior and interests, evident from early childhood. In a survey conducted by the Australian bureau of statistics (ABS) in 2012, 115,400 Australians suffered from Autism, which equates to 0.5% of the total population. The prevalence of this disorder in Australia has seen a major increase from 2009, where 64,400 people had the condition (ABS, 2012). Males
appear between the ages of two and three, but there are early signs. There has been research for this disorder on the subject of causes, but the causes are unknown for the most part. The effects are complicated as well, and follow no specific rule, just a few outlines. There is not even one type of Autism, just the autistic spectrum, which encompasses all the different intensity levels of Autism. Autism is caused by many things, and not one in particular, but includes genetic vulnerability, complications
Autism is defined as a pervasive developmental disorder in which the patients have severe impairments in social interaction, including verbal and non-verbal communication and general cognitive development. According to the DSM-IV Autism Spectrum Disorders are characterized by developmental delays in children when dealing with socialization and communication, along with restricted, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior. Those with autism display the inability to communicate with the
According to Autism Speaks Inc. (2015) Autism, also known as Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) effects about 3 million people in the United States. Autism is a development disability that typically shows during the first three years. Autism is an effect of a neurological disorder that disturbs the functioning of the brain. Autism is four more times dominant in boys than girls. Autism shows no cultural, racial or social boundaries. Family salary, lifestyle and education also does not affect the chance
The Autism Spectrum Disorder is a combination of multiple and complex sets of symptoms that show differently. Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder are also typically treated differently from person to person. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the case. It is clear to see that Autism Spectrum Disorder is quite common because one in every sixty-eight children in North Dakota alone have it. Whether it be a child or an adult, those with autism have a very hard time communicating and
the world of Autism. Autism is defined as” a mental condition present from early childhood characterized by difficulty in communication and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts”(www.oxford,dictionaries.com).The cause of it, if any. How autism has effected children, family, the risk factors, and if any cure or solution can get rid of this childhood disease. Running Head: Case Study Autism Background The background of Autism, how did it
Autistic spectrum disorder is caused not only by environmental factors but also by genetic inheritability. This disorder can range from mild to severe and is shown in many different forms. Symptoms include speech impairment, disorganized language; sensory processing disorder which causes absent responses, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and many more. Diagnosing autism does not include medical test but instead a team of physiologists and physicians observe the