...REG. NO: FULL NAMES: LECTURER: SUBMISSION DATE: Introduction It is right to say that autism is a disability and wrong to say that it is a mental disorder. However much people may think that autism appears to be a mental disorder, it is not. Autism occurs when there is a problem in the central nervous system. Autism is only a mental deficiency. Some autism victims clearly communicate and interact with the rest of the community while others need a lifetime of specialist support. It is a spectrum condition which means that while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition affect them in different ways. Autism victims experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colors. People with autism are more likely than the general population to have accompanying problems such as dyslexia (difficulty with reading, spelling and/or writing), dyspraxia (severe difficulty with tasks requiring fine motor skills such as drawing or writing) and digestive problems. They are also vulnerable to developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Causes of Autism Autism can be caused by a variety of physical factors all of which affect brain development. The abnormal blood vessels functioning in the body causes ineffectual oxidation throughout the nervous system and this causes autism. Genetics is another cause for autism. Evidence suggests that genetic factors generate some form of autism. Combination of genetics from previous...
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...were described and are today listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as two of the five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), more often referred to today as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). All these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. On first sight of a child with autism it would be very unlikely that you would tell them apart from any other child. There are no obvious visual clues, which is why so many children are mistaken for being naughty or rude. Autism is a disabling brain order. It affects the way in which people understand and react to the world around them. This causes them to act differently than others. Many autistic people have a hard time using words to say what they want or need, where as others might end up repeating the same word or sentence over and over again. The difficulty in understanding what others are saying can cause great confusion. They may see or hear a person talking, and although every word has been heard, they fail to grasp the meaning of what has been said. The difficulty in understanding what others are saying...
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...(Rutter, 1996, p. 257). Kanner (1943) first identified a condition in eleven cases that he felt had sufficient in common, and were sufficiently different from other conditions, to merit a separate syndrome. He referred to this disorder as a disorder of affective contact and identified criteria in terms of interpersonal development, communication and imagination deficits that have largely stood the test of time. Wing and Gould (1979) established the fact that the condition often cooccurred with learning difficulties. The two major diagnostic systems now have common criteria for a diagnosis of autism based on a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication and a lack of flexibility in thinking and behaviour (DSM IV: American Psychiatric Association, 1994; ICD 10: World Health Organisation, 1992). This same triad of impairments underpins other autistic like conditions said to form 'autistic spectrum disorders' (Wing, 1996) or 'pervasive developmental disorders'. The spectrum may contain a number of different medical conditions with different diagnostic criteria, but sharing those common developmental difficulties. 2.2 Asperger syndrome Asperger, in 1944, first wrote about children having characteristics similar to those identified by Kanner, but with at least average levels of intellectual ability and good structural language skills; these individuals are now said to have Asperger syndrome. Some have maintained that Asperger syndrome is...
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...of a person diagnosed with the disorder. Not all parent share with the neighbors or co-workers that they have an autistic child and because of this those who have no experience with a child diagnose may not have a full understanding of the disorder. Autism is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. This is a disorder that occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects all age groups. In fact the number of children diagnosed with autism is rising more and more. (Hall & Graff 2011) There are many challenges that come along with being autistic or even having a family member diagnosed with autism. It is important that we are aware so that in the event we are encountered with a child with autism or the parent we can be of support and show understanding. Children with autism go through many difficulties in life because of communication problems; parents are faced with these challenges and look for ways to help. Although children diagnosed with autism are very smart in many areas math, music, puzzle challenges, etc., they are faced with challenges that make life difficult for them. Problems with communication make it hard for others around them to understand their emotions and it sometimes makes it hard for an autistic child to adjust to what is going on around them. The child may not be able to tell...
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...Understanding Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Carrie Massey Grand Canyon University SPE 526 December 03, 2012 Abstract There are several different types of intellectual disabilities, such as mental retardation, autism, traumatic brain injury, severe and multiple disabilities, and deaf-blindness. Understanding the causes and characteristics of these disabilities is important in determining what is needed in the learning environment to ensure that students with intellectual and other disabilities have access to the quality education they deserve. Understanding Persons with Intellectual Disabilities There are several different types of intellectual disabilities that can affect a child’s educational abilities. It is important that teachers and parents understand the causes and characteristics of the different types of intellectual disabilities in order to ensure that all students are provided with a quality education. Intellectual disabilities can be caused by a number of factors or incidents, and can vary from person to person in severity, symptoms and effect on their ability to learn and function. Understanding the causes and effects of such disabilities will assist educators in developing proper teaching methods, accommodations and special materials needed to optimize the learning environment. Intellectual Disability Intellectual disability, previously referred to as mental retardation, is defined by deficient intelligence and adaptive behavior that...
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...Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder &ump; Autism in the Classroom When teaching it must be expected that there will be students that have behavioral disorders. These disorders must be taken into consideration when giving these students the best education possible. Teachers must accommodate to these children and incorporate them into the daily classroom. Every teacher has their own methods of doing this and can use their creativity to come up with these strategies for teaching. Some strategies may not work, so instructors must put much thought into how they are going to accommodate to these particular students. A very common disorder in children is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. These students have a difficult time holding attention due to the lack of the ability to concentrate. These students tend to act impulsively, have attention deficits, and sometimes exude hyperactive behaviors. Children that have ADHD do not qualify for special education unless they also have another disability. Approximately 7.8 percent of children from the ages of 4 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, research also shows that males are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD over women. These ratios vary from 4:1 to 9:1. These students with ADHD can be impulsive, which means they act before they think or before considering the situation that they are currently in. They also have a hard time concentrating and find it difficult to sit still. There are medications for ADHD, and...
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...Running head: AUTISTIC SPECTRUM 1 Autistic Spectrum Disorder Clinton T. Ashe Professor: Dr. Janice Spagenburg February18, 2013 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2 Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism is a disorder that use to affect an estimated 3.4 out of every 1,000 children ages 3-10. And now research suggests that autism now affects 1 out of 110 children. These types of Disorders can cause disruption in families and unfulfilled lives for many children who have this disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorders range from a severe form which is called autistic disorder to a mild form known as Asperger syndrome. The risk for this disorder is higher for males than females. In 1942 while working at John Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Leo Kanner conducted a study with a group of 11 children and at the end of the study introduced the label of “early infantile autism” into the English language. During that same time frame and half way around the world, Dr. Hans Asperger described a lesser form of the disorder that became known as “asperger syndrome”. These two disorders have been described and are currently listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as two out of five pervasive developmental disorders and are often referred to...
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...unresolved questions in the medical world. By bearing in mind viewpoints of autistics themselves, together with evidence from medical journals, it becomes apparent that autism spectrum disorders are not always the debilitating conditions as portrayed. Recent studies consider Autism a broad spectrum condition implying the degree on how it affects different individuals varies from mild to severe. In fact, autism indeed associates with a number of abilities with precise focus on intelligence, communication, and social skills (Wall, 2010, p.49). This article calls into question the idea autism is indeed a traditional disability and argues a new comprehensive understanding of autism ought to be taken into account. Body From the medical perspective, autism can be defined as complex development regression characterized by difficulties in social interaction, impaired verbal and non-verbal abilities, and acute responses to sensory stimulations such as sound (Schopler, 1994, p.82). Autistic individuals show less interest in the environment surrounding them, and have a lifelong disability on how they communicate, and interact to others. In addition, such individuals usually find it a daunting task in school-related activities. Their short attention span for most lessons and difficulty in transitioning from one action to another in school exemplifies the above sentiment. Contrary to the alluded medicinal views, autistic individuals’ poses excellent high skills in some areas. In his memoir...
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...the brain, characterized by impaired cognition, limited language, repetitive patterns of behavior, difficulty with social interactions, and a lack of responsiveness to other people (Schreibman). Other conditions within the autism spectrum include Asperger syndrome, Child Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Rett’s Disorder (58-63). Scientists consider these disorders to be similar because they share common characteristics (58). Asperger syndrome occurs when children have difficulty with social interactions, but do not exhibit delays in language. CDD develops within two years and autism is evident within the first year of life (59). PDD-NOS occurs when children have difficulty with social interactions and either communication problems or restricted interest (63). Rett’s Disorder is diagnosed definitively in females and autism is diagnosed primarily in males (58). The term autism was first used in 1943 by child psychiatrist Leo Kanner, who wrote a paper “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact” (Koegel 2). In his paper, Kanner described his observation of eleven children between the ages of two and eight who displayed a tendency to want to be alone and lacked the ability to interact with others. The children also displayed a delay in speech, a lack of imaginative play, unusual interest, and verbal communication problems (2). Kanner’s report gave us the first glimpse of what is known today as autism (Schreibman...
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...Autistic children have a right to have an equal education as a child without a disorder. Public awareness of autism has increased, and more and more children are being identified as having ASD. Early diagnosis, treatments and positive behavioral support is needed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parents of autistic children need to have their children treated throughout the child’s life to ensure that they are getting all the help available to them. This will help the teachers have a better handle with the child to further the child’s education in the classroom and at home. Parent and teacher communication is the key to making the child have a better life. Autism is defined by the Autism Society of America (ASA) as: “Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills” (Definition of Autism). Children with autism have problems with communication, both verbal and non-verbal, interacting socially, and activities including leisure and play. “Autism is one of five disorders that fall under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by several and pervasive impairment in several areas of development” (Autism Defined). The majority of the signs of...
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...Literature Review 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. ...
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...children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism as of 2008. The number of people diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice, the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and 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 the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. The signs usually develop gradually but some autistic children first develop more normally and then regress. Early behavioral or cognitive intervention can...
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...(ASDs). People with autism may display impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonberbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests ("What is autism," 2011). As of today there is no official cure for autism but through education and training of parents most can have some sort of productive life. The word “autism” has been used for about 100 years comes from the Greek word “autos” meaning “self” (Nickolson, 2008). The term describes conditions in which a person is removed from social interaction or other words an “isolated self”. In 1911, Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, was the first person to use the term autism. Austic children at one time thought or classified as schizophrenic as it was thought to be a behavioral issue. There are many key dates in the history of autism since 1911 and some more important than others. Here is a list of some of the important dates in the history of autism: * 1944 - Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger publishes his work on autistic symptoms, Autistic Psychopathy in Childhood. * 1964 - American psychologist Bernard Rimland writes in Infantile Autism: The Syndrom and Its Implications For a Neural Theory of Behavior that autism is a biological disorder. * 1967 - Bernard Rimland founds the Autism Research Institute ARI in San Diego. Bruno Bettelheim correlates autistic children and their parents to prisoners and guards in World War II nazi concentration camps in The Empty...
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...ups that have or suffer from autism. Unfortunately, it is a condition that is not easily detectable especially in children. Most people either do not understand the condition that manifests itself in children or take it for something else all together. For the families that are fortunate enough to identify the condition in children, they at most times have no idea at all on how to handle the child. Most people have misunderstood autism and taken it as insanity in children. It is therefore, necessary to demystify the misinterpretations in most people and make them aware of the condition, and how to handle it when a child is found to be autistic. Autism is a spectrum of closely related conditions or disorders which all have symptoms of a shared core. Every child said to be on the autism spectrum disorder has to some degree problems with communication, social skills, flexible behavior and empathy. However, the degree of disability and symptoms combinations varies enormously from one child to another. Surprisingly, children with the same diagnosis may be very different when it comes to abilities and behaviors. It is vital to note some few facts about autism. Autism is not contagious and is not acquired through environmental contact. It is a neurological disability presumed to be present from birth and apparent before the age of three in a child. Even though, autism is a condition that affects the functioning of the brain, its cause is up to date unknown. Classifications of Autism Spectrum...
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...However, difficulties with language and communication are one of the defining features of autism. Consistent with Farmer (2014), children with autism disorder need early and intensive interventions from a myriad of health and educational specialists. They will typically need more medical services, educational needs, rehabilitation therapies, and mental health than other children with special health care needs. Autism is a disability as stated in the Disability Discrimination Act (2005). The legislation states that group such as school must make realistic modifications to include autistic individuals; within the Disability Equality Duty all public bodies must ensure that there is promotion of equality of autistic persons, explained by Parliamentary office of Science and Technology POST (2008). The local authorities under the Children Act 1989, section 17, sets out the accountabilities of councils to provide services to children in need to safeguard and promote their welfare. Where there is a disabled child the local council has an obligation to assist the family if they need help in bringing up the...
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