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 objects in the environment. Autism also affects ones ability to respond to sensory stimuli. Like other developmental disabilities, autism effects can range in the differentiations of severity.
A number of factors that make the central nervous system develop abnormally can result in this disorder. There are several events that may take place during fetal development, during birth, or after birth that may trigger some developmental differences. For example, viral infections such as encephalitis or congenital rubella and metabolic imbalances such as “phenylketonuria” also known as PKU and fragile X syndrome (page16) can cause affect of autism. Also exposure to alcohol and drugs such as in cocaine addicted babies and oxygen deprivation may also result in damage that triggers developmental differences; although so far there is no real evidence. Autism must be accepted for what it is for now (page17).
“Dr. Michael Dougherty” believes there is a combination between both genetics and environmental factors” (page20). “Dr. Michael Dougherty” believes that chromosome 12 is the main cause to the genetic side of autism. Amino acids which is parts of food protein that cannot be broken if a child has two mutated copies of chromos...
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... is behavior modification, which is the most wide spread therapy used. Behavior modification uses rewards to shape positive behaviors and eliminate negative ones. Another type of treatment is holding therapy. It is based on the premise that children with autism did not receive adequate comfort from their parents as infants and need extra holding now (Autism Fact Sheet). Even though all we have now to treat autism is therapies much improvement is being made in this area of study. In the meantime it is important for those working with and caring for autistic individuals to be well informed and understanding in dealing with autism.
Works Cited
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
Understanding the Nature of Autism: A Practical Guide Author: Janice E. Janzen
Essential Guide to Finally Understanding Autism Publisher: eBook legend
Studying the functions of the various structures of the brain is best carried out through analysis of brain defects. For example, individuals with autism exhibit particular behaviors that are not considered normal. Assuming that behavior originates from the brain, then it becomes clear that in order to discover the causes of the abnormal behavior a comparison must be made between and healthy brain and the brain of an autistic person. By finding structural differences such as size and composition, the role that the structures play in the behavior of the autistic can be inferred while also investigating the normal functions of brain structures.
As the research shows, there are numerous ways to find treatments for autism. It is also important to keep up with the medical research because they seem to be finding and approving new treatments quite often. The most important part is finding out what is best for the individual and going from there.
Researching on perinatal and neonatal risk factors for autism, Gardener suggested that boys are more vulnerable to a variety of prenatal insults (e.g., infection, malnutrition, stress) and for some reason they might be more prone to genetic mutations leading to autism (Goldman, 2013).
Muhle R., Trentacoste S.V., Rapin I. (2004). The Genetics of Autism. Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. 113, 472-S486.
Every year doctors diagnose thousands of adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the growing awareness of autism and recent developments in technology, scientists and doctors can now discover and observe the effects of autism on society, and people. Starting with its discovery, researchers have been able to diagnose people more effectively. Doctors are beginning to discover what causes this disorder, and are currently trying to find ways to prevent and treat it. Many places have opened their doors to people with this disorder, creating autistic friendly environments where people are patient and understanding. Schools have also become accommodating to autistic children and adults. Autism also puts great strain on family and home lives.
“Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how someone communicates with, and relates to other people. Autism also affects how a person makes sense of the world around them ”(autism.org). People wonder the causes of this disability, but what they do not know is there has not been an official cause yet determined! Although there hasn’t been an official cause of autism, there are a lot of theories people believe cause autism. One of the main theories is what pills or vitamins women take during their pregnancy. During pregnancy women have to be very careful on what antibiotics or vitamins they take. Sometimes the child can be affected by the pill which leads to problems during birth. “Another major theory is exposure to chemical pollutants, metals, pesticides, etc.” (webmd.). These substances contain a lot of poisons, chemicals, or bacteria that are very dangerous for a fetus to be exposed too. This is why people say pregnant women should just stay away from places where these substances are. But the main theory that many people think causes autism is vaccines. Although vaccines are supposed to prevent disease, people think there is a chemical in them which causes autism, but this theory is false! The cause of autism has not yet been fully determined, but it is not caused by vaccines; it is usually caused by genetics, metabolic or neurological factors, or lastly problems that occurred during birth.
Autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. The Autism spectrum is vast and varies in degree of severity from person to person. The challenges that come with Autism Disorder include difficulty in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism has been a diagnosable disorder since 1951. Treatment options have changed since the first diagnosis. Available treatment today has advanced over the sixty-three year span and has become the best possible form of treatment available for Autism.
There is no known single cause of autism. Researchers are investigating a number of possible theories including genetics, heredity, medical problems, problems during pregnancy or delivery, as well as environmental influences. It is widely accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in the brain structure or function. There is evidence from neuropathological studies that autism has its origins in abnormal brain development early in prenatal life which continues postnatally, showing acceleration in brain growth measured by head circumference (Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Rogers, T., Roberts, W., Brian, J., & Szatmari, P., 2005). The disorder also seems to have a genetic basis, although researchers have yet to find the specific genes that link to the onset of autism. There could be a cluster of genes that have somehow interfered with normal brain development and function. Studies show that twins of children with autism were more likely to be autistic themselves than the regular population, demonstrating there is a heredity lin...
In the 1950’s many psychoanalysts who followed the Freudian belief system, argued that the condition of autism came from the parents withdrawing from the newborn child. The mother’s mostly being blamed for the infant’s condition. The name they choose for these dysfunctional mother’s was “refrigerator mother’s”, due there cold hearted nature. These women were told that they needed to pay more attention to their children or that they were disciplining them too harshly. Still, there are some theories that are being looked at in the recent years. Such as family genetics that is passed down from one parent to the child and there may also be environmental reasons. No one knows exactly how the environment has caused ADS; some theorize that vaccines are to blame for a sudden onset of ADS. Namely the measles vaccine is said to cause autism by damaging the lining of the stomach. Thimerosal is a preservative found in vaccines it contains mercury and has been linked to this disease. It has also been theorized that receiving too many vaccines at one time damages the immune system therefore causing autism. Research studies with family genetics have been done to identify how many genes are associated with ADS. These studies have revealed irregularities in parts of the brain in people suspected of having ADS. Also there has been a link to low levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain that are needed to maintain
Autism is a developmental disorder which affects many small aspects of the person's life and can sometimes affect major parts. Autism affects 1 in 68 children and for most it’s a lifelong
Nowadays, the most common treatments for Autism is behavioral therapy. ABA therapy is a very common technique used. (Simpson) The children with Autism are taught general social skills. One way this is taught is through modeling social behaviors to them and teaching them to imitate it.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is known as a neurodevelopmental disorder that is capable of weakening communication, behavior and socialization. Certain types of autism might not be identified until three years of life and it happens more frequently in boys compared to girls. Autism is not curable but it can be controlled using certain type of treatments as there is no specific treatment for autism. The question arises for these articles are if the treatment used was effective? There are many types of treatments that are able to control autism and the types of treatments used in these articles were behavioral involvement which is learning system based on interference approach. This will help to lessen and uphold the target’s behavior. Complementary and alternative medicine and special diets are treatments used in autism as CAM and special diets will be able to maintain autism. Communication interventions are very useful for autism and one of the main communication treatments is speech therapy. It maintains the expressive and receptive communication of children mainly it maintains the expression and enhances symbol learning. Educational therapy plays a role in treating children with autism as it supports children through the condition of visual details.
What is Autism? People are quick to label people as Autistic but very rarely understand what it means though they may nod their head and say "ohh makes sense". Autism - also know as ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder- is a complex developmental disorder affecting primarily ones communication and social interaction skills. Meaning they have difficulties communicating effectively or even at all. They struggle in social setting and don 't typically excel in social games or activities.
Autism spectrum disorder has become the most common neurological and developmental disorder diagnosed in children today. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) estimate that 1 out of every 88 American children have been properly diagnosed. There is no known cure for autism, and the inconsistencies of the symptoms of autism in each case make it difficult to target a particular set of effective treatments. However some behavior management therapies, specifically physical therapy, may help to significantly control the unwanted symptoms in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
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.)