While growing up with my little brothers I learned that my second youngest brother, Kayden, had something called High functioning autism. All I knew was that Kayden has a hard time controlling his emotions and would sometimes switch instantly between moods. One moment Kayden could be laughing while playing with his friends, and then all of a sudden he would start screaming at them because someone accidently steppdsed on his shoes. Kayden also has better grades than the rest of his brothers got when they were at his level in school. He is also better than my brothers and I at any video game, from “Super Mario Brothers” to “Call of Duty”.
Other than mood swings, having really good grades, and being a lot better at video games than the rest of his brothers, I did not fully understand how autism affects Kayden, or what really differentiates him from other people. I wanted to learn more about autism in general, and how it affects my brother.
At first I didn’t know who to interview or where to look, so I started by E-mailing my psychology teacher, Mrs.Weglin. She was very kind in pointing me in the right direction towards our school’s special education department, and recommended that I start with Mrs. Custis.
Mrs. Ashley Custis is a special education teacher at Spearfish High School, who developed a love for adults and children with developmental disabilities, and graduated from Black Hills State University in May of 2013 with a degree in K-12 Special Education. Mrs. Custis has had experience teaching kids with autism before, so she was more than willing to help me with my hunt for information.
I got to take a trip down to the special education room to interview Mrs. Custis. I opened by asking “just what is autism?” Mrs. Cus...
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...t are all variations that contain similar characteristics to classic autism.
I enjoyed my interview with Mrs. Amy Goodman, she was very informative and kind throughout her reply. Mrs. Goodman made clear that “when you meet one person on the spectrum, you meet one person on the spectrum. Everyone with autism is as individual as a snowflake is individual, and no two are the same. Autism is a social disability as well as a way of life”
Over the past few weeks I have learned a lot about autism. Getting to interview people who deal with, and live with autism has given me a better perspective of how it affects an individual. I now have a better understanding about why my brother acts the way he does sometimes. Autism is more than a social disability, but a life style that affects everyone on the spectrum differently. Everyone with or without a disability is unique.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects the brains development. It is characterized by affecting communication, cognition and social interaction. The spectrum of the disorders ranges from a mild condition called Asperger’s syndrome to a more severe form, which severely impairer’s development. The Office of Communications and Public Liaison states that the disorder affects one and eighty-eight children, however ASD effects boys more frequently than girls (Office of Communications and Public Liaison, 2013). ASD emerges in all age, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The significant varied character and severity of the disorder is why ASD is considered a spectrum that poses a broad range of symptoms.
Autism is a developmental disorder that appears within the first three years of a child’s life. It affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. Autism affects 1 out of 68 children. It is also the fastest growing disability in the United States. There are multiple types of Autism, some children are considered high functioning, and some are low functioning. “High functioning” is when a child with autism can function in life, and completes jobs, and chores with little to no help. “Low functioning” is when a child with autism cannot complete simple daily tasks without help, and (or) constant supervision.
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. Only after researching autism for an hour or so, I quickly realized this was not the case. Autism may very well be one of the most complex and examined disorders, for it’s a disorder that stirs up tons of questions yet yields very few answers. So what exactly is it? What are the causes and symptoms? Is there a cure? How many people are affected by autism? Is it being properly portrayed in mainstream media? In this paper, I’ll do my very best to touch on these questions and hopefully leave the ones reading with a better understanding of this disorder.
“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. With the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. “ (Autism Speaks, 2014) Autism affects many children. My niece at 3 years old was diagnosed with autism. She funtions quite well. She can communicate fully, unlike others, some may never be able to fully communicate verbally. Like most with my niece she has a routine and if anything major alters her routine it can cause a meltdown. With the proper coping methods autism can be managed with Special Education teachers and school psychologists.
What exactly is Autism? Well it is one of many mental conditions that affects precisely one in 110 kids in the U.S. More specifically, Autism is a developmental disability. In other
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. They can be categorized, in many ways, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some people with ASD thrive in music, math, visual skills and art. The acute signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to appear between the ages of 2 to 3 years old. (Autism Speaks)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be also connected with intellectual ability; having trouble with mental coordination, attention, and sometimes having trouble with physical health issues such as sleep. Some children with ASD are good at visual skills, math, music, art and other subjects. Children that have mental coordination trouble can also have issues withprocessing a task that has been giving to them. When drawing a visual diagram it helps autistic children to see what is being explained and what is being asked to do. Some kids that are diagnosed with Autism can also be good at math and solving problems. ASD kids can also be good at music like, singing, playing an instrument, hearing the rhythm or feeling the vibrations that is giving from the son...
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.
4)Overview of Autism by Stephen Edelson, Ph. D., at the Center for the Study of Autism
Two to six children out of every thousand will end up with Autism. Autism is one of the fastest growing disorders with a great amount of studies being put behind it. With its vast amount of different signs and symptoms, different forms, how its treated, and arguments about how exactly the disorder came to be , Austin can very well be one of the most confusing, and researched disorders, for its a disorder that stirs up tons of questions but yet gets hardly any answers. Autism is usually developed between ages of one and three, it effects communication and how the child interacts with others. It is defined by behaviors of the child and “ spectrum disorders” that re different with each person. (About Autism, 2008, para 1). Symptoms of autism can very in many different ways, and even different categories. Take the category of social interaction and relationships symptoms include : non verbal communication development problems such as , eye - to - eye gazing, body language, and facial expressions, failure to make friends with people their own age, lack of interest, and lack of empathy. The category for verbal and non verbal symptoms include : Delay or lack when learning to talk, about forty person of people with autism never speak, problems with starting, and keeping conversations, repetitive use of language, and difficulty understanding what someone is saying. Finally the category of interests and play include : unusual focus on pieces, preoccupation on certain topics, a need for the same routine, and stereotyped behaviors like hand flapping and body rocking.
Autism is a problem that people have with communicating. It can affect many contrasting types of people in divergent ways and there is not yet a complete cure for it. People need to know about this disability and what people can do with people who have it.
I know autism when I see it. For those not familiar with autism, Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, defines autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees (hence, a “Spectrum” that includes both low- and high-functioning individuals), by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.
Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Autism is actually called Autism Spectrum Disorder and encompasses a broad range disabilities such as Asperger syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and Pervavasive Development Disorder (Dunlap & Fox, n.d.). There are also varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication and no social interaction) to high-functioning (some communication and inappropriate but existent social skills.)
Autism is something to embrace, not conquer” (211). But sometimes the message of hope. love, and struggle can best be understood from the lips of a child. In an article written by nine-year-old Joey Cariello, he simply stated: “I try to be the best brother I can. (I like him just the way he is even though he has autism)”
...to grow and increase yearly, one can imagine the effect on society these rates already have, and can possibly have with continued growth. It will not be long before autism becomes the normal society. That is a concern will should all share as creatures of earth. All families that are faced with autism will find happiness with the life shared with an autistic individual. Sadly, these individuals face bullying, and social rejection. They deal with health care rejections, and limited services available into adulthood. A future unknown. Although these individuals are different, that doesn’t mean they are less. As humanity, we need to treat everyone as an equal part of this important reality we call existence. Autistic individuals are the quietest souls, but that may only be because we haven’t learned to pay attention. Autism speaks, so isn’t it time to listen (htt1)?