Autsim

When a child reaches middle childhood (ages 7-12), he or she will go through dramatic social and emotional changes after an enormous amount of physical growth within their early childhood years. When children reach this stage in their lifespan development, most are able to function independently. For instance, they are able pick out their own clothing and get dressed or pour their own drink at meal times. At this stage of development, they begin elementary school where their social world expands from only social interaction with their family to social interactions with children their own age and authority figures, like teachers. During an average school day, middle aged children form successful relationships with their peers, allowing them to interact socially with them on the playground and in their classes. These children are also able to listen attentively to their teachers and parents and are also successful at following the directions others give them. However, children diagnosed with autism differ from the others around them – the disorder hinders their ability to learn, form social relationships, and function on their own.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neural developmental disorder characterized by troubled social interaction, communication, and repetitive, ritualistic behaviors. The disorder affects the information processing center in the brain’s cortex by changing how the nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize the input the brain is interpreting. However, scientists are still studying autism to figure out how autism occurs and why it occurs. Scientists believe that this disorder has a genetic basis, but it is unclear what types of genetics are involved. Controversies form around possible environmenta...

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While the causes of autism remain mysteries to scientists around the world and the prevalence of the disorder growing in the industrialized world, one fact is certain: autism does affect learning and social interaction in middle childhood. Is affects their ability to process language and sensory input in their own environment, hindering them from learning at the pace of their non-autistic peers. However, children with autism can undergo therapy to ease the stress of everyday life and help the child succeed with their speech, sensory integration, and learning capabilities. Since there is no cure for autism, treatment by therapy and medications may be the only relief until autism can be cured, but caregivers and teachers alike can work with autistic students to help them succeed and not fall behind in their schooling despite their diagnosis.