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Paper on the genetics of autism
Describe autism spectrum disorder
Biological and environmental causes of autism
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Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] is a mental condition in which the brain does not develop in what is considered to be a normal way. Individuals with Autism find it difficult to interact, communicate and form relationships with others. They have trouble with not only language and complex concepts but also differentiating between reality and fantasy. Moreover, people with Autism often engage in repetitive activities and are usually either oversensitive or lack sensitivity. Autism Spectrum Disorder has many branches or types, each branch of Autism has its own symptoms and causes but all branches are extremely similar.
There is no known single cause for autism that has yet been identified so there are likely many different causes of autism rather than just one. The combination of genetic abnormalities and environmental factors is the most probable cause of autism that research has yet been able to identify. Furthermore, autism is said to be caused by a genetic abnormality as it tends to run in families. Other sings of a genetic link to autism include an increased occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities, brain deficiencies, and language difficulties, which seems to be prevalent in families of autistic children. The combinations of genetic factors are also probably tied to environmental factors, like exposure to toxins and metals. What causes an individual to have ASD, is not yet known. However, extensive research is being done to try to find out more. At this point it is believed to result from changes in brain development which may be caused by a range of factors such as; environmental and genetic factors.
It’s not certain what causes autism, but both genetic and environmental factors play a role. The causes of autism may be divided...
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...hough some may need special support and depend on family and friends, others live relatively normal lives.
Kaiden is a four and a half year old boy who was first diagnosed with global developmental delay at the age of 14 months. Around the age of five months his mother noticed something different about him, by the age of 1 she started getting worried, but doctors said everything was fine and finally at the age of four he got an ASD diagnosis and it turns out he was autistic. Kaiden has no verbal communication skills whatsoever and does not point or signal. He also has epilepsy and is developmentally around 15 months. Kaiden has a hard time making friends and getting along with other children as he tends to head-butt, kick, bite, scream and pinch. No one knows what the future holds for Kaiden, he is just another victim of autism and this is his heartbreaking journey.
According to Autism Speaks Inc. (2015) research has determined there are more than 100 autism risk genes. Both Autism Speaks Inc. (2015) and Autism Society agree that there is a high genetic factor in children with autism, as well as an environmental risk factor. Autism Speaks Inc. (2015) suggests that many things can be responsible for autism in children. Some of these things include parental age, maternal illnesses, extreme prematurity, low birth weight and oxygen deprived babies. According to CDC (2015) people who are older who are having kids are putting their child at a higher risk of being diagnosed with
Autism or Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex mental development disabilities. Which can be recognized by some significant defects in behavioral events, social interactions, and other mental verbal and nonverbal communication skills in different degrees.(1,2)The phrase spectrum is referred to the board range of level of disability and symptoms that occur in
... genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with A.S.D. have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. These abnormalities suggest that autism could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and the regulation of how brain cells communicate with each other. With so many answers as to what may cause autism, it makes treatment for autism particularly difficult as there currently is no one standard “fix.” In fact, there are several types of therapy that may help minimize symptoms of A.S.D. and the effectiveness of each program differs for each individual.
It is unknown exactly what causes autism, but it is a biological problem and a
“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. With the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. “ (Autism Speaks, 2014) Autism affects many children. My niece at 3 years old was diagnosed with autism. She funtions quite well. She can communicate fully, unlike others, some may never be able to fully communicate verbally. Like most with my niece she has a routine and if anything major alters her routine it can cause a meltdown. With the proper coping methods autism can be managed with Special Education teachers and school psychologists.
“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 neurological developmental disability that affects a person’s behavior and communication skills (AutismResearchNetwork.org). Commonly, those with Autism are diagnosed very early in childhood. Autism is the fastest- growing developmental disability known, with its prevalence appearing in 1 out of every 68 births (www.autismspeaks.org). The autism spectrum is so large, ranging from mild to severe symptoms, that no two people diagnosed are alike. With autism being the most common disorder among the human race (www.webmd.com), doctors and science, have come together to improve the technology in helping those with autism in many ways. New advancements have been developed to diagnose autism earlier, help create more successful treatments, and to help better an educational plan for people with autism. There are many theories but no known single cause for autism. There are also many treatments but no known cure for autism. In my paper, I am going to review the technology aspect into this disorder. Technology has enhanced different treatments, enabled earlier diagnoses, and furthered education levels in those with autism. The focus of my report will be on these three categories; diagnoses, treatments and education.
“Autism is not just one disorder, but a spectrum of closely related disorders with a shared core of symptoms” (Help guide 2013). Though it may vary in each person, autism effects the emotional, empathy, communication, flexible behavior and social skills. Autism also varies on the level of disability from one person to another, one child may show severe signs while the other you barely notice have this disorder. Sign and symptoms of autism are often ignored and passed off as a slight delay, and believe the child will grow out of it. When a child is seeming to lack socialization skills, not able to communicate, or show strange repetitive behavior continuously; the child should be tested. There is not a pin pointed cause of ASD, but it many researchers believe it has something to do with defected genes or incomplete development of the baby’s brain. (Proctor, Young- Adams 2013) If autism is caught when it in its very early stages it make a big difference and may help improve cognitive and social skills. More test are being added to the testing of the autism diagnostic schedule to ideally detect the disorder at around eighteen months. (NIH 2013) Mainly autism is diagnosed in two category, autistic (classic autism) or autism ...
Autism is a form of neurodevelopment disorder in the autism spectrum disorders. It is characterized by impaired development in social interactions and communication, both verbal and non-verbal. There is an observed lack of spontaneous acts of communication; both receptive and expressed, as well as speech impairments. A person diagnosed with Autism will also show a limited range of activities and interests, as well as forming and maintain peer relationships. The individuals will display limited interests, which are often very focused and repetitive. He or she is likely to be very routine oriented and may show behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and self-injurious behaviors.
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 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.
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.
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.)
I know autism when I see it. For those not familiar with autism, Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, defines autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees (hence, a “Spectrum” that includes both low- and high-functioning individuals), by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.