Autism The Child's History example essay topic

Autism or PPD (pervasive developmental disorder) is defined by the Columbia encyclopedia as a disorder characterized by the inability to relate to and perceive the environment in a realistic manner. The onset of the disorder is in infancy or early childhood, generally before the age of thirty months, and males are affected four times as often as females. Symptoms include impairment in social interaction, fixation on inanimate objects, inability to communicate normally, and resistance to changes in daily routine. Diagnosing Autism is based on four characteristics: difficulty with language, abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, resistance to change and difficulty with social interaction. 'Other characteristics of autism may include: making the same repetitive motion for hours, repeating a sound or phrase, inability to hold a conversation, practicing unusual play patterns, and extreme sensitivity to sound and touch. ' Autistics can exhibit any combination of these characteristics in any degree.

That is why autism is referred to as a 'spectrum' disorder, because atone end of the disorder a child may be inflicted with some symptoms, while at the opposite end a child may be inflicted with multiple symptoms with many areas in between. Children who display few symptoms may be characterized as 'mildly autistic'. The cause for autism remains unclear, although most neurological studies seem to indicate a dysfunction in the brain as a possible reason. Autism has been found in children with brain abnormalities such as congenital rubella syndrome, neuro fibromatosis, and tuberous sclerosis. Autism can also be present in genetic syndromes such as fragile X syndrome and phenylketonuria. Some research has shown that there may be an autism gene, or two genes working together.

These genes a rethought to be on the seventh and thirteenth chromosome. The disorder may be hereditary as shown by twin studies that cite there is a 'substantially higher rate in identical twins-so much so that heritability is over 90%', says Joseph Given. In a Harvard Mental Health letter statistics found that the rate of autism and mild retardation in brothers, sisters and fraternal twins is 50-100 times higher than average and in identical twins the rate is 65% to 90%. In 1980 it was found that among 11 families with a father diagnosed with autism more than half of their children were autistic.

The apparently normal parents of autistic children had undiagnosed mild symptoms of autism when tested. Early signs of Autism may appear in the first months of life. Autistic infants tend to stray away from other people, avoiding touch and become limp or stiff when picked up or help. Autisticchildren don't reach maturation as fast as normal children. Normal child will point to objects or smile when seeing their mother before the end of their first year, but children with autism develop this behavior much later. These symptoms may go on unnoticed by parents or doctors in infancy, but by the age of two to three it is clear that something is wrong.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that one in 500 children in America suffer from autism. Autisticchildren are unable to recognize themselves or remember things that they have just done. For example, if an autistic child were to show someone a toy of theirs, they would forget they have just showed it and show the toy repeatedly as if they have never presented it before. They may examine a simple little toy or electronic device for hours without losing interest, or rock back and forth in a particular spot for an entire afternoon. The repetition of little things seem to be a grand achievement for these children. In diagnosing, or assessing autism the child's history is taken into consideration.

For instance whether or not the family has autism in any other branches of its tree can help to determine whether a child may or may not have autism. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states: Aspects of the assessment will vary depending on the child's age, history, and previous evaluations. The history would include the history of the pregnancy and development of the child, marking such milestones as communication and motor skills (ex. child's first words or steps), and when thought to be unusual. Doctors will often discuss their medical history, such as possibility of seizures, hearing and visual impairments along with other conditions or syndromes such as fragile X syndrome. Doctors will do this because there is not a specific laboratory test for autism at this point in time.

These studies and discussions help in the search for a diagnosis. A test for fragile Syndrome may be given because of its association with autism. Autistic children are often characterized by repetitive motions such as clapping, hand flapping and rocking back and forth. Some are extremely sensitive to minor noises, scents and pain, and may even throw tantrums for no apparent reason at any given time. Experts say early intervention is critical. Some treatments include special diets and vitamin supplements, and focus on drawing a child with autism away from their agenda.

If an autistic child is geared away from what they want they tend to become aggressive. Autistic children tend to stray away from conversation or tasks in an irregular manner unable to focus on what others may want. Some signs of the disorder include a decrease in language skills and interaction in activity and attention with others. People with autism don't understand social norms or rules like normal people. Autistics are unable to learn from observation. They need to be taught the significance and meaning of a frown as a pose to a smile, or how to focus on the person that is talking to them.

Autism is easily confused with low intelligence, but many children with autism are in fact very smart. 'While 70 percent of the children diagnosed with autism score below average on IQ tests, many are of normal intelligence, and a few are considered quite bright' (Riccio). Autistics can learn and improve their education and behavior, and this allows some of them to function as close to normal if not equal in society although most still need assistance with living and job skills throughout adulthood. Every autistic child is unique and not all therapies are universal. Each one has to be tailored for the specific patient. People with autism like a very structured environment.

They like consistency in their surroundings. Even a slight change in their home setting, i.e. : the movement of a table, can be very unsettling and make the child agitated. Although most autistic people are severely mentally retarded, about 10 percent are autistic 'savants'. A savant is a person who incredibly excels in a particular area, such as music or math.

A person who has autism yet can play a Beethoven sonata after hearing it just once, or can do complex mathematical equations, or tell you whether December 3, 1956, fell on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Savants may be mentally retarded but they have what Dr. Pratt says is 'a very strong, specific talent. ' Savants may also have the ability to focus solely on one specific task, or talent while tuning out their immediate surroundings. The part of their brain that their talent is derived from may be intensified, and used almost to full capacity. GaryAnthes, a reporter for Computer World states that 'autistic individuals are excellent candidates for computer programming and graphics positions. ' Because autistic's can often exhibit strong talents and are able to focus so well these types of jobs would be greatly beneficial to themselves and their employers, also because of their lack of social skills they are able to focus solely on their work, and the fact that autistic people need a clear cut plan or goal, like the plans and goals programming offers, helps them overcome the obstacles of life with autism.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 helped produce user-friendly work environments for those with physical impairments. This act has helped both the disabled and the employer realize the specific needs of each other and work together to suit the interests of both the employer and the disabled associate. In conclusion, autism is a very complex disorder and because of the different extents of the disorder it is very hard to find a cure. With the technology of today improving at a rapid rate autism is now better understood and treated than fifty years ago when autism was first 'announced'. People are starting to realize and understand that people with autism have something to offer, and just aren't mentally retarded. Although this disorder is not very pleasant its condition has improved over the time it was first introduced as a pervasive development disorder, and hopefully within the next fifty years a possible cause or cure will be developed for autism..