Autism Spectrum Disorder
McKenzie Clinton College Writing 2
Research Paper 3/30/15
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder, commonly known as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to interact, communicate verbally and non-verbally, and result in repetitive behaviors. Autism affects the brains ability to process information by altering how nerve cells and synapses connect and organize .
Symptoms of autism tend to surface between 12 and 18 months but, is difficult to diagnose before 24 months. There are different signs of autism depending on the age of the child
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No big smiles or facial expressions by 6 months, no answering back with sounds or facial expressions by 9 months, no babbling, not responding to their name or familiar voices, and no back and forth gestures such as pointing, or waving at 12 months, no spoken words by 16 months, and no meaningful 2 word phrases by 24 months
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Other signs of autism include difficulty communicating both verbally and none verbally, difficulty interacting, repetitive behaviors such as head shaking, arm flailing and hand shaking, scratching the ears, tapping, organizing toys or things in set patterns, repeating words and phrases, delayed development, not responding to their name or familiar voices, and not maintaining eye contact .
Additional signs include not appearing interested or unaware of what’s going on around them, unable to connect with others, play or make friends, doesn’t initiate or like to be cuddled, doesn’t play pretend games, doesn’t use toys in imaginative or creative ways, has trouble understanding or talking about feelings, doesn’t seem to hear when others are speaking to them, doesn’t have the same interests as others, doesn’t share achievements with others . Some of the issues with verbal communication include speaking in abnormal tones of voices or pitches, repeats words or phrases, when asked question respond by repeating the question, uses incorrect grammar, has difficulty communicating needs, has trouble understanding directions, statements, or questions . Autism causes delays in walking, crawling, and basic arm and leg movements . Those with autism also engage is self-harming behavior such as biting, banging their head, scratching, and pitching .
Though there is no definite cause of autism there are many theories . Some scientists, believe that autism is caused by genetics and that it is passed down They believe that there is a
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gene that can be linked to those with autism . Families who have one child diagnosed with autism have a 1 in 20 chance of having a second child diagnosed with autism . Research also shows that if one twin is diagnosed with autism the other twin had a 90% chance of being diagnosed as well . Studies have also shown that the genetics that cause autism don’t have to be inherited and can arise spontaneously . Scientist have found a total of 20 of different genes that may have some involvement in autism spectrum disorder . Most of the genes play a role in brain development, brain growth and brain cell communication .
Others believe it has more to do with environmental causes Pesticides have been linked . to autism, studies show that pesticides can interfere with the genes involved in the central nervous system . Scientist believe that those who are already at risk to autism may develop the full blown disorder after being exposed to pesticides .
Pharmaceutical drugs valproic acid and thalidomide have been linked to autism spectrum disorder . Thalidomide is a drug that was previously used to treat morning sickness, anxiety, and insomnia . Valproic acid is used to treat seizures, mood disorders and bipolar disorder. Babies who are exposed to these medications in the womb have a higher risk of autism .
Women who are over 35 have a 50 % higher risk of having a child with autism then women aged 20-29 . Scientist believe that as people age certain mutations occur in the egg and sperm that can lead to autism .
Another factor could be the development of the brain If serotonin and dopamine levels . are not regular, this can lead to the development of autism .
There three main types of Autism spectrum disorder, autism, Asperger’s and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) . Autism is the most recognized of these three and is most times the most severe . Asperger’s is a serious disorder but most people with Asperger’s are high functioning and able to live a relatively normal life . The main signs of Asperger’s deal with communication and dealing with socializing PDD deals mostly with delayed development
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. The Center for Disease Control estimates that one in every sixty-eight children in the
U.S.A. have Autism Spectrum Disorder, 1 in every 42 boys and 1in every in 189 girls Autism
is a lot more common in boys, boys are five times more likely to have autism than girls . In the United States 3.5 million people are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Between 2000 and 2010 autism has grown by 119.4% in the U.S. Because of this autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder .
Though there is no known cure for autism, there are many different treatment and therapy options available for those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder . The main thing is for parents or care givers to educate themselves as much as possible about the disorder and accept their child’s disorder . There are also simple steps you can take at home to help the child such as sticking to a routine, staying consistent, rewarding good behavior and creating a safe home environment for the child . Finding ways to communicate with the child nonverbally will also help the child .
Learning all you can about the disorder will greatly help along with different types of therapies. These therapies includecognitive behavior therapy, early intervention, educational and school-based therapies, joint attention therapy,
cupational therapy, parent-mediated therapy, physical therapy,
social skills training, and speech-language therapy .Occupational therapy is used to help improve independent functions such as buttoning a shirt. Physical therapy used exercise and other physical measures to help people with autism spectrum disorders control body movements Behavior modification involves highly structured, skill-oriented activities that are based on the individual's needs Communication therapy is used . to help those who are unable to communicate verbally, Speech therapy is used to help people with autism begin to speak .
Others have tried nutritional therapy by changing or adding vitamins to help with behavioral problems in those with autism spectrum disorder . Medication is used to help balance serotonin and dopamine levels .
There are also alternative therapies used to help the symptoms of autism Some of these
alternative therapies include music therapy, drinking camel’s milk, sleeping in hyperbolic sleep chambers, secretion therapy, traditional Chinese medications, stem cell research, immunotherapy, and play therapy . Though some of the therapies are highly controversial, many parents are still trying them to help their child with autism .
Though autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder there are still many unanswered questions concerning Autism Spectrum disorder, from what the true cause is, if there is a cure and if there is what is it and what therapies work . As they continue to study and learn more about Autism, many advances are being made and more treatments are becoming available . Sources: "Home | Autism Society." Autism Society Home Comments. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.autism-society.org/>. Rimland, Bernard. Infantile Autism; the Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1964. Print.
"What Is Autism?" Autism Speaks. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism>.
"Http://www.GlobalAutismCollaboration.com." Http://www.GlobalAutismCollaboration.com. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.autism.org/>.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
25 Mar. 2015. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html>.