...“Autism” or also known as “Autism Spectrum Disorder” is severe developmental disability which affects the functions of the human brain. It is developed due to a neurological disorder. An individual struggles with social, communication and behavioral challenges. In this research paper various topics will be discussed, for instance; the history and description. What is Autism and how it was developed. What are the main causes of this disorder? Different types of treatments that a autistic person may receive and possible risk factors that a autistic person may encounter to accomplish. Throughout the paper each section will give a good sense of understanding to comprehend the entire disorder. Autism is identified as complex disorders of brain...
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...An Overview of Autism As a future Speech Language Pathologist and educator, it is important to consider a vast variety of mental disorders when dealing with patients or students. The importance is evident because disorders affect how your clients respond to treatment or social interaction in general. It is imperative to be aware of a disorder’s affect on children, short term and long term. In terms of speech development, the effects of such a disorder are even more important to note. In this instance, I will examine autism, a developmental disability that takes place on a lifelong basis. It has an influence on how patients communicate or interact with others in their multitude of facets of life. First, I will look into a general overview...
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...Redefining Autism as a Disability Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Introduction The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has been on the rise with autism amongst infants topping the list leaving many puzzling mysteries. The causes, effects, signs, symptoms, and treatment for autism have left many 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...
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...What is autism? Definition Autism is a severely incapacitating developmental disorder of brain function characterized by three major types of symptoms: 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...
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...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...
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...Abstract A male patient came into my office with his father. His father was healthy, but his son had a large head, long face, prominent forehead and large ears. He had trouble making eye contact and showed hyperactivity and behavior problems of autism throughout our appointment. After further hearing the symptoms, I tested patient X with PCR analysis and found there was a mutation, proving my theory and this boy's diagnosis of Fragile X syndrome. Symptoms: Male A moderate mental retardation. They have an abnormal facial appearance, characterized by a large head size, a long face, prominent forehead and chin and protruding ears. Loose joints (joint laxity), and large testicles (after puberty). Behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, hand...
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...Developmental Disorders Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Diagnosis The first diagnosed case of ASD was in 1938 by American psychiatrist Leo Kanner. A diagnosis of ASD can be made accurately before the child is 3 years old but the diagnosis of ASD is not commonly confirmed until the child is somewhat older. The ages of diagnosis can range from 9 months to 14 years however the mean age of diagnosis is 13 months. On average each case of ASD is tested at 3 different diagnostic centers before confirmed. Early diagnosis of the disorder can diminish familial stress, speed up referral to special educational programs and influence family planning. In the brain The cause of ASD is still uncertain. ASD is a disorder of the cortex, which controls higher functions, sensation, muscle movements, and memory. What is known is that a child with ASD has a pervasive problem with how the brain is wired. The distribution of white matter, the nerve fibers that link diverse parts of the brain, is abnormal. An ASD child’s brain grows at a very rapid rate and is almost fully grown by the age of 10. Symptoms Signs include impairments in social interactions, communication and repetitive or restricted patterns of interest or behaviors. There are also different symptoms at different ages based on developmental milestones. Children between 0 and 36 months with ASD show lack of eye contact, seem to be deaf, lack of social smile, doesn’t like being touched or held, unusual sensory behavior,...
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...THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC By ENGL 135 December 9, 2008 The Autism Epidemic For many adults one of the happiest days of their lives is when they see their children being born. Sometime between the two and four age some parents begin to realize that their child’s behavior is a bit abnormal. At first they chalk it up to just children being children and ignore what is happening with their behavior. It gets to a point and the parents realize that they should go see the child’s pediatrician concerning the abnormal behavior. The doctor runs tests and comes back with a scary diagnosis: Autism. Autism, a lifelong disorder, is defined as a behavioral and neurological disorder affecting physical, language, and social skills1. Autism is a common condition among children that begins within the first two and a half years of life, although it may not be evident until three or four years of age. Autism is a mental behavior that causes children to experience the world differently than normal kids. Autism impairs behavioral skills and development from early on and into adulthood. Children with autism almost always learn at a slower rate, have a lower rate of communication skills, and often times have repetitive types of behavior such as body rocking, clicking a pen for hours at a time, or turning the TV on and off again. Adults with autism continue to have difficulties interacting with society, show some socially inappropriate behavior, and show peculiar use of language such as repetitive...
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...The first incidence of Septo-Optic dysplasia was reported in 1941 by David Reeves after having examined a 4 month old baby with an optic nerve irregularity i.e. the absence of the septum pellucidum. After this discovery, the disease would then take another thirty years to become properly reconnoitered and linked to pituitary hormone deficiencies by de Morsier and Kaplan et al respectively which are the primary causative factors of the disease. What then, is septo optic dysplasia and why did it take so long for the illness be to investigated? The answer is simple, the disease is as rare as hen’s teeth. Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal development of the optic disk, pituitary deficiencies, and often (absence) of the septum pellucidum (the part of the brain that separates the anterior horns or the lateral ventricles of the brain). The development of the forebrain which occurs at the early stages of embryogenesis, between 4 to 6 weeks of gestation in humans could account for the presentation of SOD/ Morsier’s syndrome....
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...Autism HCA 240 Cherie Bryant November 20th 2014 Mental illness is described as not being able to cope or manage life in an everyday situation. Autism, being one of many mental illnesses, is found in all racial and economic backgrounds. Autism happens in early childhood and is usually diagnosed around 18 months of age but can start any time before three years of age. Autism causes delays in development such as learning and interactions with others. “One in an estimated 110 children gets diagnosed with this Autism disease.” This is a disease in which currently there is no cure. Autism used to be blamed on bad parenting skills. The signs, symptoms and effects on autism can vary based on each child. Doctors and experts cannot agree on how to treat autism. Early intervention is key in making a difference with Autism. Like previously stated, this is a disease that causes delays in development such as learning to play and interact with others. There are a few red flags a person might look for before beginning an actual diagnosis. With younger children, a few of these may be avoiding eye contact or wanting to play alone. Delayed speech or language skills, can be another sign, especially not responding to their name by 12 months of age. Signs and symptoms can be mild or severe based on the child. Most symptoms are short attention span, temper tantrums, unusual eating and sleeping habits, and lack of fear. “Around forty percent of people with autism never speak...
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...Schizophrenia and Psychosis and Lifespan Development Cathy Perry Psy 410 September 26, 2011 Lara Ashbaugh Schizophrenia and Psychosis and Lifespan Development Schizophrenia and lifespan developmental disorders reduce the normal functioning of individuals suffering from them. These disorders consist of components that vary extensively; therefore defining and understanding each component within the individual’s circumstances is of extreme importance. This is especially true when diagnosing childhood disorders. Identifying and understanding these components assists in creating more effective therapeutic applications, intervention, and prevention of these disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Schizophrenia Biological Components Evidence suggests the predisposition of schizophrenia is inherited, however the genetic factor must also interact with environmental factors such as viruses, toxins, drug use, or injuries sustained prior to birth (PubMed Health, 2010). Biological components of schizophrenia consist of brain structures and functions. Several abnormalities in brain function appear to be associated with schizophrenia. This disorder is better understood by its complex neuro-developmental basis instead of a dopamine hypothesis. This hypothesis claims that there is excessive dopamine in the neural system that is the reason for schizophrenia to develop. Emotional Components Studies on the effects of expressed emotion (EE) on schizophrenic patient’s...
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...What is Rett syndrome? Rett syndrome—a disease that features the symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and anxiety disorders—is a lifelong neurological disorder. It’s diagnosed almost exclusively in girls, leaving them unable to speak, walk, or use their hands. Most will experience breathing problems, feeding tubes, seizures, anxiety, and gastrointestinal and orthopedic issues across their lifetimes. And at present, there is no cure. How common is it? The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) reports 15,000 girls and women living in the U.S. with Rett Syndrome. Globally, that number balloons to 350,000, making Rett syndrome the second most common cause of severe intellectual disability in girls after Down syndrome....
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...brain disorder in which a person interprets actual reality abnormally. It is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to think clearly, have normal responses to emotions, act normal in a social setting, and tell the difference between their own interpretation of reality and actual reality. There are several types of Schizophrenia: paranoid, undifferentiated, disorganized, residual, and catatonic schizophrenia. The assumption is that schizophrenia is split or multiple personalities. Schizophrenia is defined as “split mind” but this references the disruption in normal balance of emotions and thinking. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. Paranoid Schizophrenia is the most common type of Schizophrenia. It is when a person loses touch with reality. A person’s ability to function and think normally daily is altered more than during other types of schizophrenia. However, it includes fewer problems with concentration, memory, and/or lack of emotion. It is still a serious lifelong condition that can lead to many different complications. Doctors do not completely know what causes this disorder. Researchers have theories that it is caused by certain neural chemicals that are impaired and links have been found to abnormal regulation of the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate. Even though there is no specific known cause, there are risk factors that can increase the chances of being diagnosed with schizophrenia. The main risk factor is genetics. Other...
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...Slide 1 Hi everyone! My presentation will be about brain development and plasticity. Slide 2 “The human brain is estimated to have about a hundred billion nerve cells, two million miles of axons, and a million billion synapses, making it the most complex structure, natural or artificial, on earth.” Tim Green, Stephen F. Heinemann and Jim F. Gusella (from a paper in Neuron, 1998) Slide 3 Brain development. Slide 4 What we know about human brain? The human brain is the most complex of all biological systems. It is made of a hundred billion information processing cells called neurons. The neurons communicated with each other by making connections. This connections called synapses. It is estimated there are 60 trillion connections in the adult brain. It has about 200 000 neurons. Slide 5 Brain has right and a left hemispheres. They connected by a fiber bundle that leads to the two sides of the brain that connect to each other. Average human brain weighs about 2-3 pounds. If we will look inside of adult brain we will see two kinds of tissue: grey matter and white matter. It contains of the cell bodies of the neurons. We can see grey matter along the entire surface of brain. Thats the neocortex. Cortex the brain's outer layer, which is essentially our gray matter. The white matter consist other fiber that connect neurons into information processing networks. Each neuron extends a connecting fiber called axon. Axons covered with a fatty substance called mylan that...
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...Distorted Reality: A Research on Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is widely considered one of the more destructive illnesses known to man. Contrary to popular belief, schizophrenia isn't a split personality or multiple personality disorder. The word "schizophrenia" does mean, "split mind," but it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking. Schizophrenia is a severe class of brain disorders in which the sufferer has a vastly distorted perception of reality. Although it affects approximately one percent of America’s population (“Schizophrenia,” n.d), not much is known about it outside of recent progressive research. There are drugs and different therapies available to treat the symptoms of this complex disorder but in most of the cases, the patients will continue to experience schizophrenic symptoms for the rest of their lives. In my research, I was able to determine what schizophrenia is, its symptoms, believed causes, and finally, available treatments. Schizophrenia, as stated before, is a brain disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations. Schizophrenia appears to occur equally among men and women, usually developing between the ages of 15 and 20. In women, however, it tends to start showing symptoms later, around the ages of 20 - 30. Additionally, schizophrenia has shown to have...
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