Theories On The Cause Of Autism example essay topic

Autism is a rare disease that has been noticed for centuries. The purest form of autism (high IQ and almost normal behavior yet still self-contained) occurs in about "one in 2,000 people". When the many other forms of autism are added in, the ratio is "one in 750". Autism is found in every race, ethnic group, nation, and social standing, although "males outnumber females by four or five times" ("Autistic Disorder" - 2). Autism is a broad range of disorders that stretch from mild to severe. There are many theories on the cause of autism, but no definite solution.

Because of the broadness of the disease, there are many types and categories. The effects of autism are frustrating, and hard to live with. Since the causes remain unknown, there are no specific treatments that can cure autism. The first signs of autism are shown within the first three years of life. As an infant, parents will notice that the child is distant and does not respond to many things.

The baby usually doesn't develop any bonds with his / her mother or caretaker. When parents go to pick up an autistic child, he / she will seem rigid, limp, and will not do normal things like reach out for the parent. Another symptom is little to no eye contact. As with autism at any age, the child is obsessed with sameness and routines. For example, a child will want to eat the same foods every day at the same time. Inanimate objects also fascinate autistic children, though they do not use them as they are intended.

They will play with a single toy for hours at a time. Autism was once thought to be the result of cold and distant parents. If the mother disliked or did not want the baby, it was thought that the baby knew this and would enclose itself in its own world. That theory has now been disprove n and many scientists now believe autism is caused by -1-genetics and / or illnesses. There are many stated genetic and biological causes but none seem unique to autism. Likewise, no specific gene has been targeted to cause autism.

New evidence reveals that "the serotonin-transporter gene" (Rapin, Isabelle - 101) may be related to the cause of this disease. Complications in birth are also taken into consideration. "Prenatal factors are intrauterine rubella, tuberous sclerosis, chromosomal abnormalities, and brain abnormalities. Perinatal factors have little to no effect on autism. Postnatal factors include untreated phenylketonuria, infantile spasms, focal brain lesion, and rarely herpes simplex encephalitis and other rare diseases or syndromes. Evidence that genetics is an important, but not exclusive cause, of so-called primary autism includes a three to eight percent risk of recurrence in families with one affected child" (Rapin, Isabelle - 100).

Autism isn't just one disease but a category of complicated syndromes. Three of the most definable syndromes are Rett's, Asperger's, and Landua-Kleffner. Rett's syndrome is only found in females and most are retarded. This syndrome develops between the ages of six months to eighteen months. Rett's begins with a normal state of development, then the victim regresses in skills such as speech, hand movements, and social skills, along with other signs of central nervous system dysfunction. Females with Rett's are most prone to having seizures.

Asperger's syndrome is affective in both males and females. After the first few years of life, victims will lose everything they have learned, but will eventually progress again. People with Asperger's appear to have more verbal and recognition skills. They also usually show strong interest in subway, bus, and train schedules and maps.

Asperger's syndrome is probably the closest to "primary autism". Landua-Kleffner syndrome is also found in males and females. Victims with this -2-disorder appear normal until between the ages of three to seven, which is when regression is noticeable. They lose the ability to talk and show great social withdrawal. Individuals with Landua-Kleffner also have abnormal brain waves patterns. People with autism have daily routines that have to be followed or the person might go into a tantrum that could last for hours.

This may lead to destructive behavior and head banging. Autistic people also love rhythmic and repetitive actions such as rocking, staring in to space, and playing with a single toy for hours. They pay little attention to people, and "by the age of adulthood, about one third of individuals with autism have had at least one epileptic seizure" (Wing, Lorna - 1763). Because of this and other facts, many people assume autistic people are retarded. Yet, in fact they may be very intelligent. Some can memorize long lists of names after hearing them once or twice.

Independence for an autistic individual depends upon their level of intelligence and social abilities. In fact "approximately two thirds of adults with autism remain handicapped and need constant supervision and support" ("Autism" - 2). People with autism usually never marry but people with a mild case could possibly marry and have children. Normal children will pretend, play with toys the way that they were intended; but autistic children are almost the opposite. A child with autism never pretend plays or imagines, where in healthy children this starts at the age of two. Using a baby doll to pound on a block of wood instead of treating it as a really baby is another sign of autism in a child.

Many children with autism are mute or have very minimal vocabulary skills. They meaninglessly repeat words and phrases. For example, if an autistic child were asked what he / she wanted for dinner he / she would repeat what is said to him / her. They also do not use personal pronouns like I, me, and we.

The normal human brain seems to -3-have a certain built-in ability to learn from experience, which begins at birth. It links the present with the past. In an autistic person's mind, there appears to be few to no stored memories; if there is evidence of memories, they appear patchy. This makes the affected person seem confused. This also may make the person withdrawn and destructive.

Not much research can be done because autism is a relatively rare disease. Therefore, defining the problem is difficult. The symptoms of this disease change with the age of the victim. Because of this scientists have tried to find something biological to help explain autism.

The most common finding is higher level of serotonin. Doctors have conflicting views, still, and few hospitals offer help to infants with the disease. To diagnose autism a wide range of testing of speech, communication, and psychiatric assessment are done. The scientists also look for inherited diseases, fragile chromosomes, and problems with one of the seven senses. Although there is no cure for autism, there are a variety of treatment therapies, such as drugs, behavioral, and educational.

Many tests and chromosomal studies leave little information to the causes or cure of autism. Certain drugs may help with behavior or even change it, but none can get rid of autism or its effects. "Highly structured and very intense education has the greatest benefit. This will maximize abilities and minimize behavior problem" ("Autistic Disorder" - 4). Another way of helping an autistic individual have a somewhat successful adult life is to develop his / her communication skills by age five. With the knowledge of communication he / she will likely improve.

Yet, most will still need some sort of help from one or more adults. In conclusion, the broad range of disorders, known as autism, can't be cured, but they can be helped in many ways. Many autistic people receive help from family and relatives. In an autistic person's life, all he / she needs is love and understanding. -4-Although they may seem mentally challenged, many are very bright. Many have a higher IQ then what is usual.

Autism can be a devastating disorder but to the affected individual, it is his / her normal world.

Bibliography

Autistic Disorder" McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. CD-ROM. 1998 ed.
Campbell, Robert. The Enigma of the Mind. New York: Time-Life Books. 1976 Rapin, Isabelle.
Autism". The New England Journal of Medicine 10 July 1997: 97 Wing, John.
Reasoning About Madness. New York: Oxford University Press. 1987.
Wing, Lorna. "The Autistic Spectrum". The Lancet 13 July 1997: 1761-66.