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 have been seen to be four times more likely to suffer from the disorder then females. Individuals who suffer from Autism are characterized to have unusual cognitive profiles, which include impaired understanding of how to behave in social environments, …show more content…
In addition to the environmental factors during the child’s early development, such as ingesting harmful substances during pregnancy, genetics also plays a major role in the causation of autism. Individuals, who suffer from specific medical conditions, such as fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis and congenital rubella syndrome, tend to experience higher prevalence of the disorder. Once the individual has been diagnosed with the disorder, early intervention can attempt to improve the child’s social communication skills, reduce anxiety and lower their aggression levels. It is crucial that the individual suffering with the disorder is within a supportive and nurturing …show more content…
This cognitive disorder refers to an individual who is unaware of other’s mental states and is a key indicator of an individual’s ability to communicate and be social with others. This ability is a major deficit for those suffering with autism. The Mind-blindness theory portrays that children who lack these abilities display an underdeveloped theory of mind. The mind blindness theory is unable to account for certain characteristics associated with autism such as repetitive behavior, and perceptual processing abnormalities, however it does address some of the language deficiencies (Frith,
Cognitive challenges also exist when counseling children with ASD as they have difficulty distinguishing their own mind from somebody else’s, this is known as theory of mind (Woods et al., 2013). Counselors should address deficiencies in theory of mind as the lack of knowledge in others feelings and empathy causes challenges across all social contexts for children. While there are a numerous factors to consider when providing therapy for children with ASD, therapeutic interventions are crucial to the development of social skills as well as adaptive emotional and behavioral responses in social settings.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that presents itself during the first three years of a person’s life (Nordqvist). Some children even develop normally until eighteen to twenty-four months old and then stop using or lose his/her skills (Bhargava). This condition is the result of a neurological disorder that affects a person’s normal brain functions, including the development of a person’s communication and social skills (Nordqvist).
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.
In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner, Austrian psychiatrist, published a report on 11 of his patients, entitled “Autistic Disturbances of Affective contact”. He used the term “early infantile autism” to describe “extreme aloneness” that he saw was characteristic. This group of children were alike in behavioral aspects but were different from the normal children. All of the described children were not able to develop normal social relat...
Part of the disruption in communication and social interaction that occurs with many individuals who have autism can be better explained by the Theory of Mind and Executive Function Theory. These two theories are very similar in nature in that they both place great emphasis on the executive function of the mind. Executive functions are “cognitive abilities that appear to depend on the prefrontal cortex” of the brain (Pinel, 2014, p. 349). Executive function also encompasses “innovative thinking, lateral thinking, insightful thinking, and assimilating new information to update plans and strategies” (Pinel, 2014, p. 349). This is significant because the executive function of the brain can impact one’s ability to empathize and relate to others, interpret and sustain social interactions, and process new information (Williams et al, 2014). Many times individuals with autism are unable to understand and process what others are feeling. For example, they can recognize sadness or when somebody is crying, but they do not associate with it. It’s not that they don’t feel these emotions themselves, they absolutely do. However, they may have trouble connecting and relating to those feelings when they see somebody else experiencing them. This can result in difficulty in making and sustaining relationships with
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...
Understanding autism, which is professionally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, otherwise known as (ADS) can be a difficult task, especially for someone who is not trained in helping persons with disabilities. The first person to discover autism was a child psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943. He names the spectrum disorder after the Greek word autos, meaning of or for oneself, due to the way the child display social avoidance. Many doctors’ believed in the past that autism was caused by the way the mother not caring for her child properly or ignoring him or her. There was also a time when it was thought to be caused by certain environmental stresses that cause neurological issues within the brain. Autism is one of the most misunderstood
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
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.
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.
positive and negative. Some of these treatments include Early Start Therapy and the Early Start
Autism is an intricate developmental disorder that is characteristically noticed by parents and or diagnosed by parents between the ages of eight-teen months and three years of age. In recent studies, Werner (2001) isolated themes from in-depth interviews conducted with different parents of children with autism. These themes included the following findings: the family’s life revolves around dealing with the child’s autism and unusual behaviors; parents feel losses because they and their children cannot lead a so called normal life; and the family experiences only fleeting moments of actually feeling like a typical family. Autism does not effect a particular type of person it occurs in all social, racial, and ethnic groups.
"If you've met one person with autism, you've met on person with autism. " Nobody can relate to autism unless you are diagnosed with autism but I want people to understand what autism is. The cause of Autism is yet to be discovered but there are vital points that can lead to the finding just like the symptoms of autism are discovered and treatments are being developed. How did Autism start?
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.)
The mildest form of autism is Aspergers Syndrome. Affecting males three times more often than females. Usually children with Aspergers become obsessed with a certain object or topic. If they become obsessed with a topic they will talk about it all the time and learn as much about it as they can. Although this helps individuals with this disorder have normal to above average intelligence, their social skills are lacking greatly. (Autism Spectrum Disorders) Often characteristics associated with social s...