Autism Specturm Disorders

There are many diseases and disorders that can affect humans. One disorder that has gained more attention recently is autism. We will be evaluating this disorder in order to try and expand our knowledge and gain more insight into the disorder.

To begin our study, we must understand exactly what autism is. However, that is exactly why it has gained some much interest and awareness recently. It is because no one has been able to identify what the disorder entails. Doctors and scientists now use the term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to describe the types of behaviors caused by autism. There is such a wide range of severity when it comes to autism that the term “spectrum” is now exercised in order to classify individuals based off of their symptoms. The term spectrum means that there is a wide range of indicators, levels of impairment, levels of disability and skills that a person can have to be grouped into the Autism Spectrum. The disorder seems to have a random occurrence, with some individuals having a mild impairment while others having severe impairment.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by social communication and interaction deficits, patterns of behavior or interests that is repetitive and often restricted, symptoms that cause impairment of other important bodily functions, and typically manifests in the early developmental period, normally before the second birthday.

Although the signs and symptoms of ASD are different between each individual diagnosed with the disorder, major signs are social impairment and repetitive behaviors. Because the child is not in schooling during the years when ASD is normally diagnosed, the parents are usually first to become aware of any unusual behaviors in the child....

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...support these individuals and continue to care and teach them. We can only hope that the continued research will find a cure for those that suffer from the disorder, and learn the cause to prevent autisms prevalence from continuing to increase.

Works Cited

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Date Accessed: March 29, 2014. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/index.shtml?utm_source=rss_readers&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_full

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Genetics Home Reference. What is a gene mutation and how do mutations occur?. Date Accessed: April 01, 2014. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation

Ultrasound Autism Connection. Ultrasound Autism Connection?. Date Accessed: April 04, 2014. http://www.ultrasound-autism.org/