...Running head: COMPLETING THE PUZZLE Completing the Puzzle of Autism Spectrum Disorder Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) most commonly known as Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the normal brain function. It is a disorder characterized by deficits in three major areas of behavior-social, communicative and the display of repetitive or restricted behaviors. This research paper will provide a review of people with autism spectrum disorders, including the symptoms, diagnosis criteria, and possible causes. In addition, it will describe with how it has impacted the society, families and themselves. Completing the Puzzle of Autism Spectrum Disorder Can you imagine trying to understand what your parents or peers are saying but you don’t really know what the words mean? Sometimes this can make a child very upset and frustrated just because they can’t come up with the right words to express his or her feelings or thoughts. These kids with special needs try to live their lives by learning to handle stuff that are challenging and annoying for them. People with autism can make a significant contribution to society, as well as to their families. However, having autism is generally difficult for the person themselves and their family, it also involves great financial sacrifice. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) most commonly known as “Autism” is a neurological disorder that has an effect on...
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...The Autism Spectrum Disorder is a very broad disorder, ranging from a brilliant scientist to a person who remains nonverbal with a severe disability. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neural developmental disabilities that can cause impaired social interactions, communication, and restrict and repetitive behavior challenge. Due to the increase of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is important for people to understand the effects of ASD. Knowing the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorder, will help in early detection and acceptance. There is no absolute known cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The abnormalities, likely caused during fetal development, are centered...
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...Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an incredibly complex condition that affects each individual differently, primarily depending on what point of the spectrum they reside. Despite the differences, there are some overarching themes that can be discussed to better understand how ASD affects an individual’s life. By understanding topics ranging from social life and bisexuality to behavioral intervention and comorbidities, we can become better advocates and supporters of individuals living with ASD. Beginning early behavioral intervention shortly after a diagnosis can be incredibly effective in strengthening positive living habits, provided that implementation is consistent and rigorous. The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) uses operant conditioning...
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...Topical Reference List: Inclusion of Autism Spectrum Disorder Students Lindsey Liermann Liberty University Abstract This paper includes a reference list of literature relating to components of successful inclusion for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In general, the literature seems to indicate what practices are effective for successfully including ASD students with typical peers, as well as, if inclusion is right for all ASD students. The literature includes evidence that the different components support students’ progress in general education settings. More empirical data needs to be collected to see if different components work for all students with Autism Spectrum Disorder while with typical peers. Keywords: students with ASD, inclusion, typical peers, successful strategies, perceptions of inclusion, support, and modification for students. Topical Reference List: Inclusion of Autism Spectrum Disorder Students Until recently, the common practice was to pull children with Autism or other disabilities out of regular education classrooms for majority of the day or even have them completely segregated. It seemed more efficient to provide specialized instruction in separate classrooms where children with Autism could received individualized attention without having to alter the mainstream curriculum that typical peers received. But, different practices were proposed in the 1980’s for greater efforts to “include”...
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...Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorder Psychology PS501-03 Dr. Valerie Balldin March 18, 2014 Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorder Abstract Autism refers to a group of development brain syndromes, collectively known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).The term spectrum is a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability, or impairments that children with ASD can have. Some of the ASD children are insignificantly impaired by their symptoms while others are severe. Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorder According to American Psychiatric Association; "Autism is a neuro-development syndrome defined by deficits in social reciprocity and communication, and by unusual restricted, repetitive behaviors.” (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). It is a condition that usually begins at infancy-before or by three years old. Affected children begin by not using words to communicate though they may recite the alphabet and familiar passages. There is a wide variation of the degree in the way autism spectrum affects individuals. Each child with autism has a unique abilities, challenges and symptoms. Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: Even though Autism is not a single Disorder; but it is a spectrum of closely related Disorders with a shared core of symptoms:...
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...ASD is a behaviorally defined disorder with a biological basis. The behavioral definition and the identification of a set of genetic or neurobiological markers for ASD represent descriptive models of the disorder. Morton and Firth (1995) have argued that in order to develop a caused model of ASD a third level of explanation, the cognitive or psychological level, is necessary to bridge the gap between the biological and behavioral levels. In order to understand the mechanisms by which genes and neurobiology influence behavior, it is necessary to understand the cognitive processes that mediate that behavior, there is arguably no direct link between biology and behavior in ASD. Cognitive accounts are essential to understand ASD (Brookman-frazee,...
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...Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Tests, Signs, and Symptoms That Aid in Early Intervention Abstract This paper contains information pertaining to Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Throughout this work, I discuss how ASD can cause significant social, communication, and behavior challenges. I identify many signs and symptoms to look for as children are growing. I share research on an investigation into a tilt test and also a study on siblings that are at high and low risk for ASD. My own personal experience as the mother of a child diagnosed with ASD and early childhood educator is discussed in great length. Awareness of the symptoms, special tests, and typical development are mentioned so that a child with ASD can be diagnosed early and receive services to support their learning and success throughout life. Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Tests, Signs, and Symptoms That Aid in Early Intervention Introduction Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a subject close to my heart. My oldest daughter was diagnosed several years ago at about nine years old. She was extremely high functioning with above average language skills throughout her early childhood. Her speech was quite formal for a young child, but this really made her sound intelligent. Having strong language skills made it more difficult to see the delayed social conventions. As a young child, my daughter had difficulty listening to others and allowing for the give...
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...Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is attributed to various conditions distinguished by complications with “social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as unique strengths and differences” (“What Is Autism?”, 2012). This is the reason why the term “Spectrum” is used, it “reflects the wide variation in challenges and strengths passed by each person” (“What Is Autism?”, 2012). ASD does not come in one form, but varied types caused by distinct blends of genetic and environmental influences (“What Is Autism?”, 2012). ASD can be diagnosed by 18 months, but symptoms usually arrive at 2 and 3 years of age. There is currently no medical test that diagnoses ASD, but behavioral evaluations that are done by trained physicians...
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...Research has found that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at an exceptionally increased risk of developing comorbid mental health conditions, with the most common comorbid mental health conditions reported alongside ASD being anxiety disorders (Brereton, Tonge, & Einfeld, 2006; Skokauskas & Gallagher, 2011). In fact, previous studies have found that anywhere from 11-84% of individuals with ASD experience clinically significant levels of anxiety (White, Oswald, Ollendick, & Scahill, 2009). The ASD population experiences much greater levels of anxiety than typically developing children (APA, 2000). The symptoms associated with anxiety can severely impact a child’s ability to participate in a variety of school,...
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... 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 Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically...
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...aspects of autism, from the different causes offered by researchers, common symptoms, and the latest treatments to combat this complex disorder. Overview Autism is not one disorder, but rather a group of developmental brain disorders, collectively referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) (2011) the term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment, or disability that children with ASD can have. As indicated by Johnson and Myers, Leo Kanner, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University first described autism in a small group of children in 1943 (as cited in Kanner, 1943). Kanner documented that they showed extreme aloofness and total indifference to other people. In 1944, Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician published an article that demonstrated symptoms similar to those of Janner’s patients, with the exception that verbal and cognitive skills were much higher (Johnson & Myers, 2007). The term “infantile autism” first appeared as a diagnostic label in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM- III) (3rd ed.; DSM–III; American Psychiatric Association, 1980). Criteria for ASD...
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...Autism is classified as a spectrum disorder. There are different degrees in the way it affects children who are diagnosed. However, every autistic child experiences symptoms, challenges, and unique abilities. One major challenge most of the children encounter are difficulties with controlling their behaviors. It is common for children with autism to irrationally react to a stimuli or situation that would not cause a typical functioning child to react. This is due to a dysfunction in their sensory processing system. There have been many studies conducted focusing on the sensory problems autistic children face. It is clear that many children who are diagnosed react much different to certain stimuli than other children. Tomchek and Dunn (2007)...
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...Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Autism spectrum disorder is a really interesting disorder to learn. In 2012, approximately 1 in 88 child in the United States was diagnosed with Autism by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. This is a tremendous increase compared to the reporting’s in the 1980’s; it was reported as 1 in 10,0000. ASD’s are a “spectrum disorders”, which means it affects each person in distinctive ways, and can also range from mild to severe circumstances. This disorder is a group of developmental disabilities that cause a great social, interaction and ways someone responses to challenges. Therefore these people with similar characteristics handle cognitive information in a different way than other people. Since the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder differ on each individual. Children with ASD fall into three categories such as; social defacement, hard time with communicating, and rhythmic behaviors. Social difficulties are common with all ASD disorder. Social impairment has an effect on a child’s everyday life. For example, a child will not be able to respond to parent or others by 1 year of age. The child might like solitary better and not play with others, has facial expressions that are improper, does not know the difference of personal boundaries and also may have trouble understanding about their own feelings etc. Let’s say that a typical child starts to understand and learn things as...
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...impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual or severely limited activities and interests. The definition of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Children with autism are less able to interact with the world as other children do. To provide a comprehensive definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are separate labels given to children with autism for different points on the Autism spectrum. At the least affected end, you may find labels such as "Asperger's Syndrome", "High Functioning Autism" and "Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified" (PDD-NOS). At the other end of the spectrum you may find labels such as "Autism", "Classic Autism" and "Kanner Autism". Description Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (commonly abbreviated...
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... 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...
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