...Autism: Acceptance versus Cure? By: Fayola Adonia Electra Introduction About 1 percent of the population of the world has autism spectrum disorder (CDC, 2014). Autism is often overlooked or thought of as something negative. People need to be aware of autism. Many people with autism are discriminated and isolated against— just because they don’t fit in society. People with autism should be accepted as they are, and they should also be allowed to have their own opinions and do whatever they want about their autism. What is autism? Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way a person’s brain develops. This causes changes in the way a person might behave and learn. Autism is not a well-defined...
Words: 1325 - Pages: 6
...Question 1 Autistic spectrum condition is a lifelong disability which affects how an individual communicates and relates to, other people. The understanding of autism has greatly improved since the 1940s when it was identified and one thing that we are aware of is that there is no cure however, there are many things that can be done to support people with autism. There are a large number of symptoms that are in relation to autism, such as a delay in speech development, not responding when their name is called and despite being able to hear, being intolerant of others entering their personal space. In addition to these, there are behavioural symptoms such as insisting on a familiar routine and becoming very anxious or upset if this is disrupted or changed, they will sometime talk at people rather than having a two-way conversation and a failure to understand or implement social rules. Another social and communication disorder is Asperger syndrome, this is characterised by the following; the individual may have...
Words: 1804 - Pages: 8
...Autism is a disorder that is characterized by the affects it has on normal brain development in the early years of a child's life. It effects the development of social and communication skills and is diagnosed after behavior evaluations are administered by specially trained psychologists and physicians. Autism symptoms tend to emerge in children around 12-18 months old. Behaviors such as playing with toys in strange and repetitive ways, not making eye contact, and not responding to their name are some of the indicators early on that your child may have autism. According to the US centers for disease control and prevention, autism occurs in 1 of every 68 children. Because autism is so common, it's important to be aware and knowledgeable about the topic. This means also knowing what accommodations kids with autism need and what unnecessary measures some people may take. Each individual with autism is different. Some have exceptional abilities in the arts or academics and, according to the Autism Speaks organization, around 40 percent have intellectual disability (meaning an IQ below 70). Some are non-verbal, but can communicate in various other ways (such as gestures, visuals, and eye contact) , and some can easily use verbal communication. Considering that there is such a broad spectrum of affects autism can have on each individual it is important to get to know your child's/friend's specific needs and do your best to meet those needs. Because every child with...
Words: 448 - Pages: 2
...Autism spectrum disorder is defined by the The American Psychiatric Association as a developmental disorder that severely affects the development of a child’s social interaction and communication skills. The child has a limited range of interest and insists on sameness and repetitive, nonfunctional routines and behaviors. Symptoms of autism are usually not noticed at birth, but eventually become obvious, usually during the first three years of life, when some aspect of communication development is delayed (cite). Autism can occur in all individuals regardless of their religion, race, culture, or social class. It is more common in males than in females. In March 2014, the autism prevalence report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Words: 1177 - Pages: 5
...on Autism Wilfredo Garcia Table of Contents Abstract 3 Autism 4 Videogames and young people with Developmental disorders 10 Funding of Applied Behavior Analysis 11 Executive function in individuals with sub threshold Autism traits 12 Conclusion 14 References 15 Abstract The increasing number of individuals with Learning Disabilities (LD) and psychiatric disorders presents a key challenge to their assessment and treatment in mental health services. Children and young people with LD are more likely to experience mental health than the general population (Allington-Smith, 2006). There is a close relationship between autism spectrum disorder and learning disability. Epidemiological studies suggest that autism is more frequent in people with LD, nearly 40% of people with LD also have autism on the other hand, and nearly 70% of people with autism also have LD (La Mafa, 2004). The strong association between autism and LD (Bradley, 2004) also associates an increased risk of mental health problems. It is suggested that adults with LD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience symptoms of anxiety at a greater level than the general population; however, this requires more conclusive evidence in relation to the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adults with LD and autism. Autism ...
Words: 3759 - Pages: 16
...of a person on the autism spectrum” (“12 Inspiring Temple Grandin Quotes”). Dr. Temple Grandin is a miraculous person who has autism and helps to explain and showcase how autism does not have to drag an individual down butt can raise them up. Instead according to Oxford dictionaries autism is “A developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior” (“Autism”). Autism is not a disease, it is a developmental disability. That does not mean that the people that have autism are different in any way other than thinking in a different way. Everyone, no matter how they think, should...
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (c. 10), also known as SENDA, is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is intended as an adjunct to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which legislated to prevent the unfair treatment of individuals, in the provision of goods and services, unless justification could be proved. This legislation was deemed necessary as the previous Act did not encompass educational organisations. This was further replaced by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. The act required schools, colleges, universities, adult education providers, statutory youth services and local education authorities to make 'reasonable provisions' to ensure people with disabilities or special needs were provided with the same opportunities as those who were not disabled. The Act stated that discrimination occurred when the educational establishment/body either fails to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate individuals with special needs or a disability, or when they give them less favourable treatment. Disabilities A disability is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability...
Words: 1423 - Pages: 6
...finding new ways to help accommodate the needs of all children when it comes to learning, but with more kids being diagnosed with autism every day, the ability to accommodate these children’s needs gets harder. Children with autism have different needs when it comes to learning than other children, and in order for these children to thrive in the public education system we need to be educating ourselves on autism and applying this information to alter public education methods so that they have as much of a chance to meet their full potential as any other child. Autism spectrum disorder or ASD is a condition, according to the IDEA or the individuals with disabilities education act, that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Tons of children are diagnosed with autism everyday but...
Words: 547 - Pages: 3
...Understanding Autism Jessica Stansbury PSYC101, Online Michael Mihajlovic November 23, 2012 What is Autism? Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is a developmental disability. It can cause many problems such as social, communication and behavioral challenges. People with autism process information differently in their brain than other people do. Although there are many different types of Autism, there are three that are more commonly seen currently. The first one is Autistic Disorder, also called classic autism. This is usually accompanied by substantial language delays, social and communication challenges, and odd behaviors and interests. The second is Asperger Syndrome. Asperger Syndrome is usually accompanied by some milder symptoms of autistic disorder. Although they may still have social challenges and odd or unusually interested and behaviors, they usually do not have any problems with language disabilities. The third is Pervasive Developmental disorder (PDD-NOS) or also called atypical autism. Most people that are diagnosed with PDD-NOS usually have fewer and much milder symptoms then the others. People that are diagnosed with PDD-NOS may only have challenges in social and communication areas. Although there are different types of autism, they all require the same attention to the signs and symptoms of them. Autism is usually detected in early childhood. It will appear in the first three years of life. Often the...
Words: 3871 - Pages: 16
...Autism Jennifer Van Puymbrouck ENGL 112, Composition DeVry University Autism, what is autism? Autism “is a complex neurobehavioral disorder that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors” (WebMD). Autism spectrum disorder or ASD for short; is how the doctors are recognizing any child or adult that falls within the Autism category. Clearly we have a growing problem with ASD, it is estimated that “1 out of every 88 children” will be given a diagnosis of autism (Jaslow, 2014). Why instead of decreasing, are autism cases rising? Some say it due to the ways that doctors are able to diagnose autism, but I think there is a different cause. There is one thing that most children have in common and that is the immunizations that are given to most children from birth. Doctors have found that ASD affect boys more that girls and they are “almost five times more likely” to be diagnosed with some form of ASD then girls (Jaslow, 2014). There is enough evidence at present to say that the rise in autism cases can be linked to immunizations. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism can be defined by “a group of complex disorders of the brain development” and “has roots in very early brain development” (Autism Speaks, 2015). Children typically show some signs of autism between 2 to 3 years old. Some of the most common characteristics that most ASD patients display would include: difficulties...
Words: 2137 - Pages: 9
...Autistic spectrum disorder, otherwise known as autism, is a complex disorder of the central nervous system and a developmental disability that comes from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. (Dowshen, 2008). It is not something one can catch or pass along to someone else. It makes interacting with other people incredibly difficult. Autism was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Autism spectrum disorder can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, however new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as six months. Autism is a developmental disorder that makes it very difficult for one to communicate with others and live a normal life. (What is Autism? An Overview, 2008) The cause of autism remains undiscovered, however many researchers believe autism is linked to differences in brain chemicals and neurotransmitters. No one has yet to have a definite answer as to where these differences come from, however; many believe the differences are in our genes. Some also believe that maternal rubella, PKU, encephalitis, and meningitis may predispose a child to it. It is somewhat more common in particular families, but not inherited in any recognizable pattern. Doctors often tell families who have one child with autism that research shows they have a very high risk of having another child with autism or a similar disorder. (eMedicineHealth, 2009). According to the statistics provided by the...
Words: 1715 - Pages: 7
...An Extraordinary Specialty Explaining Autism Autism spectrum disorder is a very confusing and interesting disorder. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects behavioral, social, and communicational skills, and it is the most common developmental disorder (Yellow). The child may have trouble with communicational situations where they feel uncomfortable. Social would include any type of social situation whether it be walking through Walmart or in a small room. Behavioral issues can stem from specifically how the child behaves in general to how the child behaves when they are agitated or annoyed. It affects people of all different ages, is a lifelong disorder, and is currently incurable (Turquoise). Although the disorder has the name autism...
Words: 1202 - Pages: 5
...How is life parenting a child with autism? Every parent has a different experience. Every parent, whether they have a special needs child or not, faces struggles and triumphs. Every moment is very different. There are some general experiences parents share — whether children have autism or not — and then there are things that even the most sympathetic individual can't comprehend without having a child with autism. Autism looks totally changed in every person on the spectrum. There is a truism that “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” I have met one person with autism — my brother, Emmanuel. Definition Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), otherwise known as “autism”, is “a chronic disorder whose symptoms include...
Words: 971 - Pages: 4
...Just imagine your child was diagnosed of having autism. The realization of your child perhaps being autistic may be lurid. You now know that your child will be found with many challenges, and may have a severe difficulty making sense of the world. Autism is an illness that can affect your communication, socialization, intelligence, and you may act in many unusual behaviors. To try to help an autistic child is being very courageous. Having a child will who is autistic will be a struggle throughout both of your lives. Autism can be described in many ways. Autism medically, is a neurological disorder, which can affect the brain from trying to properly function normally. Autism is always a childhood disorder. It is where a child is in his own world. This may be very difficult for the average person to understand. Autistic children will have a problem demonstrating many special skills like socializing, communicating, and using their sensory system. Some call autism an information processing disorder. Autism should be known that it is not a disorder that a child can catch or create. It is a neurological brain disorder that is inborn. The child will differ in many ways of a normal average person. The major issue that devastates parents is that the child will most likely not be able to make sense of the world. I think what a mother once, said is an example of how difficult this disorder can be, for the child and the parent. She said “ we start with an image-a tiny, golden child on...
Words: 1930 - Pages: 8
...Autism: It’s Time to Listen 1 Autism: It’s Time to Listen. Kelly Fitzpatrick Intro to Psychology Professor Carter 07, 2012 This paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the Associate of Science Degree in the Medical Assisting Program at Southern Technical College Autism 2 Abstract This paper will discuss what Autism is, when it is usually diagnosed and what behaviors are usually displayed by those on the spectrum. This paper will also provide information about some possible causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as some facts about ASD. This paper will talk about treatments and resources available to individuals diagnosed with ASD and to their families. Autism 3 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are equally common terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. ASD and Autism are characteristic of, in fluctuating degrees, difficulty in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors (Autism Speaks, 2012). Autism can be connected to intellectual disabilities, problems with motor skills development, attention deficits, sleep issues, and gastrointestinal disorders (Autism Speaks, 2012). Autism is believed to originate in early brain development. While this is believed to be true most signs of Autism do not surface until the child is 2 to 3 years old. Other than the characteristics mentioned already ASD or Autism symptoms may include difficulty...
Words: 860 - Pages: 4