A Commentary on the Article on NY Times 'Studying Autism Isn't Enough'
explanatory Essay
721 words
Since the article “Studying Autism Isn’t Enough” publication last November, The Combating Autism Act, was signed by President Bush into law. The bill will appropriate almost 1 billion dollars in the next 5 years to speed up Autism research. There are several schools of thought when it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorders. This has plagued the Autism community for decades, dividing families into factions of the more effective methodology for their children. There is more to Autism than all the methodologies, treatments or research. Our children’s psychological and psychosocial well-being is at stake and the earlier we can intervene with whatever treatment is out there, we give our children a better chance of coping and living a more productive life in the future.
How does this all relate to our psychology course? It touches every facet, perspective and methodology that we will cover in this course as well as further advanced studies of psychology. Children that are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder exhibit deficiency to communicate and develop social relationships and are often accompanied by behavioral challenges. The psychologist provides a base line often with a psychological as well as a psychosocial evaluation. If a child does not show atypical development milestones by 18 months to 2 years of age, it is tantamount for parents to consider having their child evaluated. The psychologist conducts the evaluation. Observations of the child’s motor skills, receptive and expressive language, imaginative play and social interaction are noted. The psychologist’s professional training and knowledge of child development can pinpoint deficits in any of these areas and they can then recommend early intervention to focus on speech, o...
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... and most recently skiing and it is evident that he has the focus for all these activities given the chance to engage. I am working with the Department of Education now to incorporate organized sports with the Adaptive Physical Education programs and also conduct family sports night to engage parents and the children to interact with one another.
I am excited and eager to attend this course to be able to elevate my knowledge of human behaviors and our mental processes. It will not only help me cope with my son’s disorder, it will also help me understand his perspective. This article hits closer to home because it is also a parent’s perspective. There is one commonality between all parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and that is, we will not rest and will continue to find anything that is available to help our children cope and live productive lives.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the combating autism act was signed into law by president bush. the bill will appropriate almost 1 billion dollars in the next 5 years to speed up autism research.
- Explains that autism spectrum disorder children exhibit deficiency to communicate and develop social relationships and are often accompanied by behavioral challenges. the psychologist conducts the evaluation and recommends early intervention.
- Explains that applied behavioral analysis and the structure of the teacch system have helped their child develop and retain vital activities of daily living that will help him in the future.
- Opines that appropriations under the combating autism act should look into effective programs that are available for our children. their son attends a public school special education program for autism and is thriving.
- Opines that the course will help them cope with their son's autism spectrum disorder and understand his perspective. parents of children with autism spectrum disorder will not rest and find anything to help their children cope and live productive lives.
Related
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- How to Support Someone with High-Functioning Autismopinionated essayAutism spectrum disorders, by definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (or the DSM-IV), are characterized by when a person does not understand social concepts, cannot effectively and efficiently communicate with another person, and/or has a small range of interests or hobbies that may be considered like a fixation or an addiction. (Kids in the Syndrome Mix, page 94) What makes autism really confront the public’s interpretation of a developmental disorder is the spectrum aspect to it. The spectrum makes every autism case completely different from the others. Those one side of the autism spectrum are more severe in the level of impediment than the other, and those in the middle can show qualities of both. (“What is Autism?” Autism Speaks)
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the idea of developmental disorders like autism is outdated and does not do the entire population with these disorders any real justice.
- Explains that autism spectrum disorders are defined by the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition. the spectrum makes each autism case completely different from the others.
- Explains that some people are not aware of autism spectrum disorders. one in eighty-eight children have been diagnosed with autism, making it the most rapidly growing developmental disorder in the united states.
- Explains that autism spectrum disorders are tricky because every child is different. the early life of a child with autism is rocky and confusing.
- Opines that one can help take the load off of these families by being understanding of the child and accepting them. taking care of a child with an autism spectrum disorder is physically and emotionally draining.
- Explains that while there is no cure for autism, there are treatments that can help make life with this disorder easier, such as oxytocin and attending therapy.
- Explains that yale university's research on oxytocin stimulates the reception of social cues in autistic children.
- Recommends that one shouldn't take ritalin as a primary or singular source of treatment, and that it should be tied into therapy.
- Explains that aba therapy involves creating a type of intervention plan for an autistic child that allows them to receive proper treatment that would fit their lifestyle.
- Explains that removing gluten and casein from an autistic child's diet and replacing them with substitutes can greatly improve their activity levels and general health.
- Explains that a school's primary job is to show minimal improvement in education, and most parents depend solely on the school system to enrich their autistic child.
- Explains that teachers need to understand what autistic children lack: the desire to launch social conversations with other people, the ability to multitask, etc.
- Advises autistic children to match their childhood hobbies and obsessions with a career.
- Explains that an autistic person needs to come to terms with the stimulus that inhibits or distracts them from doing their job and come up with innovative solutions that will stop their disorder from affecting their career.
- Recommends honeing in networking skills to find jobs for autistic job seekers, since one of the main determinants of autism is the lack of ability to effectively and efficiently converse with other people.
- Opines that once a person has been hired, they have already been prepared for how to deal with the conjunction of their autism and employee life.
- Opines that if one follows all of the steps that i have written, their high-functioning autistic person will be on a great start to living life.
- Cites cerner multum's "ritalin" (methylphenidate) information from drugs.com.
- Explains grandin, temple, kate duffy, and tony attwood's book developing talents: careers for individuals with asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism.
- Explains hamilton, lynn m., facing autism: giving parents reasons for hope and guidance for help.
- Analyzes how oxytocin boosts social acuity in children with autism, study indicates.
- Explains kutscher, martin l., tony attwood, and robert r. wolff. kids in the syndrome mix of adhd, ld, asperger's,
- Explains winerman, lea. effective education for autism. american psychological association, dec. 2004.
2266 wordsRead More - The Truths of Autismexplanatory essayEvery 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that autism does not affect everyone in the same way, although people with autism do show similar behavioral patters.
- Describes wiseman's interview with angela generoso on autism awareness.
- Explains that doctors diagnose thousands of adults and children with autism spectrum disorder. researchers are beginning to discover what causes this disorder, and are currently trying to find ways to prevent and treat it.
- Explains that people with autism have several abnormalities in their brains. there are several theories as to what causes autism, but it is ultimately up to the doctors to discover the cause.
- Explains that public schools prepare to educate kids with autism. baskas, harriet. "flying with autism: airport programs help effected children."
- Explains that miller, neil z, and rudy, lisa j. "autism: a medical mystery?" vaccine reactions: the hidden epidimic.
1015 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Autismcomparative essayAutism, 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
In this essay, the author
- Explains that autism affects about 1 in every 68 children in the world today. more than 3.5 million americans have some form of the disorder.
- Explains that maddie's parents adopted her, even though they knew about her future struggles. she has an active mind, but hates large crowds and unfamiliar surroundings.
- Explains that asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, and autistic disorder all play an important role in deciphering mental and emotional issues a child may experience.
- Recommends that pregnant women change their diet and lifestyle to prevent autism in children.
- Explains how they have a change of heart now that they understand more about autism and wishes that others in the world would know what they know now.
1130 wordsRead More - An Essay On Autismanalytical essayThe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, places autism in a more extensive diagnostic bracket called autism spectrum disorder. This encompasses a range of autism-related disorders that vary in severity. It is one of the most severe, chronic, behavioral disorders of childhood. Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler referred to autistic disorder as an unusual way of thinking among people with schizophrenia. A more in-depth explanation of autistic thinking is the propensity to view oneself as the center of the universe. The inability to associate with others and feeling like they live in their own worlds are some of the most descriptive characteristics of autism.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition, places autism in a more extensive diagnostic bracket called autism spectrum disorder.
- Explains the diagnostic criteria for autism. individuals with autism fail in normal back-and-forth conversation, insistence on sameness, difficulties with transitions, and extreme distress at small changes.
- Explains that the brain of an autistic child develops abnormally due to genetic factors and environmental influences. prenatal infections may be contributing to greater rates of autism.
- Explains that behavioral programs that apply learning principles in the child’s environment can remarkably refine learning and language skills in autistic children.
- Explains that autism spectrum disorder is reported as a severe, often life-long disability, which affects the individual, family, and educational and societal resources.
- Analyzes how the article agrees that early and ongoing intensive treatment is required for the most favorable results. it also articulates autism as lacking reciprocal action socially and limited, repetitive manners and interests.
- Explains that there was a substantial difference in age-specific prevalence estimates of diagnosed asd reported in 2007 than diagnosed autism in 2003. however, their results were dependent upon the unfairness related to landline telephone surveys.
- Analyzes how another study expounds on how individuals with autism spectrum disorder may have intellectual abilities indistinguishable from neurotypical or gifted individuals.
- Explains that congress passed the vocational rehabilitation act in 1973, which created the precedence that any program obtaining federal funding may not be biased against individuals with disabilities.
- Explains that a study was done to compare the experiences of individuals with asd in the us vocational rehabilitation system with others.
- Opines that the findings in this study are essential in light of research specifying that assisted employment through vocational rehabilitation programs may enhance intellectual performance of adults with autism spectrum disorder.
- Explains that the asd prevalence rate burgeoned from an average of 4 per 10,000 children in the mid-60s and 70s to 1 per 88 in 2008.
- Explains that the primary study orchestrated rigorously using known referrals, extensive publicity, and active case finding. the original investigators lacked access to expansive electronic databases.
- Explains that a study to investigate and differentiate mother and father endorsements on diagnostic criterion of asd found that mothers endorsed more symptoms of autism spectrum disorder than fathers of the same children.
- Concludes that acquiring data from more than one source is recommended and provides a different aspect of observation.
- Opines that public anticipations of quick discoveries are on the rise, especially among parents of children with autism. more, detailed, and accurate researches still need to be done on asds.
1029 wordsRead More - The Applied Behavior Analysis Program for Autistic Childrencomparative essayThe decision to be parents is a very special experience. Right away, parents start preparing for when the child comes into the world. But who can ever prepare for being a parent to an autistic child? Autism is a developmental disorder that causes delays in social, cognitive, fine motor, and also gross motor skills. According to Autism Speaks “ASD affects over two million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years.”(Autism speaks, 2014). Autism appears more in boys than girls; “An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 out of 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.”(Autism Speaks, 2014). Usually around 18 months is when the child is showing abnormal behavior and isn’t hitting the growth milestone the child should be. Autistic children who are diagnosed earlier by a pediatrician are more likely to be successful to be put into an Early Intervention program. Now it comes for the time for the parent to decide on what is the right program for their child, so the child adapt and learn skills they have learned from previous program. In this research paper, it will be further explained why the ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program is the most structured and effective program best fitted for autistic children, and will give them a chance to more likely improve their skills overall.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that autism is a developmental disorder that causes delays in social, cognitive, fine motor, and also gross motor skills.
- Explains that the applied behavior analysis program can help an autistic child learn many new skills such as language skills, self-help skills and play skills. positive reinforcement is one such principle.
- Explains how the aba classroom procedures help children with autism adapt to the next activity without any surprises. the preference assessment helps us seek out which toys and snacks the child desires and what would be more rewarding.
- Explains that the aba classroom is set up for the whole month of september, with the beginning programs of appropriate sitting and hands down.
- Explains that checking the books is a vital component of the aba program. when running trials, the staff has to graph the data recorded.
- Explains that the aba program starts preference assessment to gain knowledge of what the child likes and prefers during discrete trial training. some autistic children prefer to have an activity as a reinforcer.
- Explains that stimulus pairing is a significant part in the aba program. stimulus pairing is when the student and the teacher are in discrete trial training area with reinforcers.
- Explains that items offered at least once per minute, provide choices, or hold up one preferred item (deliver reinforcers as often as possible).
- Analyzes how staff gradually fade in their voices and proximity to the child (as child tolerates).
- Advises that if a child starts to lose interest in reinforcers, they can replace them with another or choose from 2 options.
- Advises that children should not place any other demands on the child during this stimulus pairing teaching session.
- Recommends redirecting inappropriate/ maladaptive behaviors and providing reinforce in the absence of negative behaviors.
- Explains that staff ends session on a positive note and praises the child for playing nicely with them.
- Recommends stimulus pairing across teachers and work areas until the child is willing to sit in the dtt area with all teachers.
1649 wordsRead More - Autism Spectrum Disorderopinionated essayRegardless of whether it is correct or not, the assumption is sometimes made that children who have been diagnosed with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, tend to be placed in the group that is associated with possessing behavioral problems such as rudeness, being obnoxiously loud, or incapable of sitting still. In addition, they are sometimes seen as not being able to communicate effectively and their social skills and emotional control are lacking in many areas (Boso, et.al, 2007); therefore, it is necessary to make sure all approaches are analyzed to help those children with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder be able to live as normal life as possible.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a child may not point at objects to show interest by 14 months.
- Opines that a counselor should assess the individual child's needs and include any additional information from the child’s parents, teachers, and doctor.
- Recommends enlisting a program that has been cultivated on the basis of the individual child's needs.
- Suggests a task list based on musical instruments or exercises that fit within the realm of each individual child's needs. the list could incorporate various methods of music such as playing specific instruments, movement to songs or music, and even songs written by the music therapist.
- Opines that it will be necessary to evaluate the music therapy processes as the study progresses in order to ensure the therapies chosen are being utilized properly and are providing worthwhile progress.
- Opines that the use of children in research is unquestionably unavoidable due to the nature of autism spectrum disorder.
- Opines that more prevailing research is now opening up to the understanding that children posses rights of their own when involved in research being conducted.
- Opines that while music therapy is effective, it could end up being ineffective depending on the severity of the autism or autism spectrum disorder displayed by the children involved.
- Explains the correlation between music therapy and altering the behaviors of autism spectrum disorder.
- Argues that music therapy is a viable alternative therapy for children diagnosed with autism. the research by reschke-hernández helps understand the history of autism spectrum disorder.
- Explains that the research proposal will use a dependent variable of 15 children with autism or autism spectrum disorder to examine the effects of receiving music therapy on their various behaviors. the research will be conducted in separate rooms with the help of parents, music teachers, and research assistants.
- Opines that recording the therapy on video will allow for a complete observation of the music therapies being utilized and evaluate the various effects and outcomes presented in the research.
- Explains that examining children receiving and not receiving music therapy can help in gaining a better perspective on how it might be incorporated into the daily routines of children with autism spectrum disorder.
- Argues that music therapy can be utilized as a viable tool in aiding children with autism spectrum disorder learn to improve communication skills, master their use self control, and effectively interact with other people.
2878 wordsRead More - Applied Behavioral Analysisexplanatory essayEvery single day is a struggle for an autistic child and his or her family. Autism affects all aspects of a child’s life from their ability to show affection to their family to being able to do simple tasks such as communicating and thinking in ways that we take for granted. Autism is defined as a developmental disability in which children experience abnormalities in social functioning, language, often act in puzzling ways, and usually appears before the age of three (Mash &Wolfe, 2010). Although the exact causes of autism are unknown there does seem to be a strong genetic component. Having a child or family member with autism is a constant battle of emotion and frustration. Everyone wants to help the people they love when they have difficulty adapting but the difficulty in helping a child with autism arises in the fact that these children do not think or process information like everyone else does making it very difficult to reach them and help them function in a society they don’t understand. Skinner (1963) and his early work led the way in finding a method for assisting people with autism and aiding them in gaining wider ranges of functioning and better quality of life.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that autism affects all aspects of a child's life from their ability to show affection to their family to being able to do simple tasks such as communicating and thinking in ways that we take for granted.
- Explains applied behavioral analysis (aba) originated with skinner and his studies on operant conditioning. the main focus of aba is to understand behavior and how and why learning occurs.
- Opines that aba is an effective and safe treatment for autism, but it needs to follow a guideline to cater to the individual needs of the child.
- Argues that aba intervention should be analytic, conceptually systematic, and increase generality.
- Explains that aba techniques have been extensively researched and have proven to aid children with autism learn how to communicate, develop relationships, play, care for themselves, learn in school, and participate in social and educational activities.
- Explains that there are some drawbacks to using aba. the main concern is the time it takes for the appropriate behaviors to be learned and established.
- Explains that aba is a rapidly growing field with potential for aiding in the advancement of treatments for children and adults with autism.
- Explains that mash, e. j., & wolfe, d. a. (2010). abnormal child psychology.
- Explains the blending of choise theory with applied behavioral analysis in the international journal of reality therapy.
- Explains the application to autism and autism related disorders.
1444 wordsRead More - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disability that can make developing major social, communication, ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that memory profiles in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (asd) have been studied and monitored for decades. recent models suggest that the abnormalities are an indication of core deficits in executive function.
- Explains that variation in results has always created problems in autism research. this dilemma is linked to the high occurrence of inconsistency in individuals with asd, which is the consequence of developmental variations and disparities in cognitive levels.
- Analyzes the memory profiles in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. memory is the structures and procedures included in the storage and later retrieval of information.
- Explains autism spectrum disorder (asd) is a disability that can make developing major social, communication, and behavioral challenges even more difficult than they already are for most individuals.
- Explains that the memory profile observed in autism spectrum disorder (asd) is connected to irregularities of the hippocampal configuration and to abnormalities found in other neural areas including the amygdala and the frontal cortex, regions responsible for strategic regulation.
- Explains that children with autism may find it hard to remember information if they needed a cognitive organizing strategy to aid recall. maister, simons, and plaisted-grant's research results agree with this.
- Explains that children with autism had poor spatial working memory for verbal information, while a "finger windows" subtest of recall easily distinguished between children without autism.
- Explains that williams, goldstein, and minshew's results indicate that basic associative memory abilities were intact, but the use of cognitive mediating strategies to support memory were not as strong. adults with autism performed equal to the control subjects except when the subtests concerned social stimuli or spatial working memory.
- Analyzes how willams et al. (2006) showed autistic children had good associative learning ability, verbal working and recognition memory. wojcik, moulin, and souchay's (2013) research suggests that children with autism do not seem to suffer from a comprehensive metamemory deficit universal to all forms of memory
- Argues that southwick, bigler, froehlich, dubray, alexander, lange, and lainhart's (2011) found that general memory performance in autism reflected poorer ability across all aspects of memory.
- Concludes that their research suggests that deficits on visual memory tasks in children with autistic spectrum disorder might be linked to their intellectual abilities in general.
- Explains that working memory deficits in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: neuropsychological and neuroimaging correlates.
- Describes the clinical, neuropsychological and neuroanatomical studies of adults with high functioning autism in cognitive neuropsychiatry.
- Explains that children with autism have specific memory problems that may underlie aspects of disorder.
- Cites the centers for disease control and prevention's facts about asd, citing jiang, capistrano, and palm.
- Cites mcleod, s. a., russell, & jarrold, c. (1996). working memory in children with autism and with moderate learning difficulties.
- Explains the role of the medial temporal lobe in autistic spectrum disorders.
- Explains southwick, bigler, froehlich, dubray, alexander, a. l., lange, n. & lainhart, j. e. (2011). memory functioning in children and adolescents with autism.
- States that williams, d. l., goldstein, and minshew, n. j. (2005). impaired memory for faces and social scenes in autism: clinical implications of memory dysfunction
1190 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Kelli Stapleton Can T Forgive Herselfanalytical essayAutism spectrum disorder, commonly known as autism, is a complex disability that affects a person’s ability to effectively communicate and interact with others (“What is Autism?”). Every year thousands are diagnosed with autism and is quite commonly recognized in children between the ages of two and three years old. People who live with autism primarily associate themselves with a number of behaviors such as “delayed learning of language, difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation, difficulty with executive functioning which relates to reasoning and planning, as well as narrow, intense interests, poor motor skills, and sensory sensitivities” (“What Is Autism?”). Although these are only some of the most common struggles that people
In this essay, the author
- Explains that autism is a complex disability that affects one's ability to effectively communicate and interact with others. kelli stapleton describes the physical and emotional burdens that come with providing for her aggressive, autistic child, issy.
- Analyzes how hanna rosin's "kelli stapleton can't forgive herself..." describes how kelli resorted to violence after receiving treatment for issy’s violent tantrums.
- Analyzes how kelli stapleton's preplanned actions leading up to the attempted murder of issy are one of the main reasons why she deserves the sentence that the court has given her.
- Analyzes how kelli stapleton's inability to seek help after suffering from both physical and emotional trauma as a result of issy’s disability is another reason why she should be imprisoned.
- Opines that kelli's self-absorbed ego and irrationality is another reason why she should be denied her parental rights and sentenced to 10-22 years in prison.
1400 wordsRead More - Educational Growthexplanatory essayProfessional counseling services could offer good assistance for children with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Psychologists well aware of ASD have shown much interest in depending on counseling tools that focus on education. This approach aims to improve educational growth in autistic children such that they better communicate with their peers and perform well on classroom tasks.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that professional counseling services could offer good assistance for children with autism spectrum disorders (asd). psychologists have shown interest in counseling tools that focus on education.
- Explains that applied behavior analysis (aba) is based on the guidelines and principles basing on which autistic children provide education with a special emphasis on behaviorism.
- Explains that an educational approach teacch emphasizes on individuals with autism and their development aspects with respect to their necessities, benefits, and skills.
- Explains that psycho educational profile (pep) approach makes the therapist better assess the learning abilities of children in order to enhance their skills related to coping and social interactions.
- Explains that counseling would be of great help to children with autism through an approach of facilitated communication (fc). it relies on the concept that certain people might fail to communicate due to a defect in the motor system.
- Explains that counselors could evaluate the use of frequency modulation (radio transmission) (fm) devices that could contribute to enhanced educational outcomes in autistic children.
- Explains that picture exchange communications system (pecs) is an educational program that educates children with autism to begin communication.
- Explains that children with autism were instructed about building and vocalizing longer utterances compared to the children's earlier. pecs offers language on a visual platform, such that speech gets paired with visual stimulus.
- Explains that floor time helps improve social interaction between normal and autistic people by teaching adults to follow children and create something according to their activities to motivate their interaction.
- Explains that circles of communication reflects communication in a back-and-forth manner, which could promote parents to make their child better associate their emotions to behaviors.
- Explains that therapists had an opinion that children with developmental tasks should involve in affective interactions. floor time could contribute to the developmental progress of an autistic child.
1517 wordsRead More