Assignment 2 Term paper

By

Nicole Alonso

CDD 2251-04

Speech Language Hearing Disorder

Kean University

November 26,2011

Introduction

Detailed overview of disorder “Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. ( 1.PubMed Health, 2010)” Autism is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD). “ Health care providers think of autism as a “spectrum” disorder, since it is a group of disorders with similar features. (National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, 2011 paragraph)” A child who has autism may have symptoms that span from mild to severe. There are several types of autism that fall under the spectrum. They include Aspergers Syndrome, RETT Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS). “These disorders are characterized in varying degrees, be it difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non- verbal communication and repetitive behaviors.” ( Autism Speaks, 2011) Aspergers syndrome is a high functioning form of autism. A child with Aspergers might have difficulty interacting with others, awkwardness, and display repetitive behaviors. “Rett syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that leads to developmental reversals, especially in the areas of expressive language and hand use.” (2.PubMed Health,2010) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is when a child is developing normally through ages 3 or 4 and then over time will lose the language, and social and motor skills that they have developed already. Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS) is when a child shows some of the symptoms of autism but the symptoms are mild. The symptoms may also only be in one area like language deficiency but fully