Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders Essay - 1669 Words

Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism has been on the rise in the past 20 years, and is getting dangerously close to reaching epidemic proportions (Zelan, 1). Statistically, Autism rates have been rising in the United States with Autism now effecting 1 in every 150 children ages 10 and younger (Zelan, 1). Autism can occur in any race and does not gender discriminate, though boys are four times more likely to have Autism than girls (Castrogiovanni). The causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Autism are the main aspects that most interest researchers today. If studies continue to have good results, the quality of life for Autistics could improve exponentially. Autism is a developmental disorder that has baffled researchers for†¦show more content†¦There is no current test to determine if anyone in the family has the autistic â€Å"gene†, but studies are still underway (Fredericks, 33). An excess of testosterone in utero may be a link to or cause of Autism. T he child would, in theory, be â€Å"too male†. Babies with too much testosterone during development may have a higher risk of developing Autism (Fredericks, 38). At one point, Autism was thought to be caused by the live vaccines given in childhood, such as MMR. The idea was that the multiple, live vaccines triggered Autism in children who may have a genetic â€Å"predisposition† for it. The case was closed several years ago due to a lack of usable information (Fredericks, 39). Though there is no noted cause, Autism has several marking symptoms. An extreme lack of social skills is usually the biggest and most apparent marker of Autism. The lack of social skills can be as severe as no speech whatsoever, but can be as mild as awkwardness in social situation and failure to develop relationships (Autism, Communication). Babies with Autism do not seem to want human contact or interaction. They may cry when they are picked up, refuse cuddling, or they may not lift arms indica ting wanting to be held (Fredericks, 16). Obsessing or being hyper focused on an object or subject can also be an obvious social marker of Autism. SensoryShow MoreRelatedAutism Spectrum Disorder And The Childhood Autism Rating Scale Essay839 Words   |  4 PagesAutism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term used in diagnosing a collection of developmental disorders of the brain that vary in severity1. People with ASD may have trouble with social interactions, problems with different types of communication, may practice repetitive actions or behaviors1,2, struggle with paying attention, and suffer from motor disfunctions1. ASD is usually diagnosed in children between the ages of 2 and 3, this early diagnosis is very beneficial because it leads to interventionRead MoreMason was not unlike many children in that according to the most recent Center for Disease Control800 Words   |  4 Pagessixty-eight children is on the autism spectrum. This is a 30% increase from the findings reporte d two years ago of one in every eight-eight children. The current study also reports that the proportion of boys with autism (1 in 42) is significantly higher that girls (1 in 189) (10 Things to Know About New Autism Data. 2014). Changes in the DSM-V that incorporated Asperger syndrome (AS), autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified intoRead MoreThe Causes Of Childhood Autism1414 Words   |  6 Pagesabout â€Å"possible causes of childhood autism.† For example, one is because my little brother is in the process of being diagnosed with autism. Autism can mean a number of things. When people talk about autism, it can either mean autism spectrum disorder, which is a category of disorders, or classical autism ASD includes classical autism. So ASD and autism may be two different things. Autism is known as a complex developmental disability. ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder and can sometimes be referredRead MoreAutism Spectrum1147 Words   |  5 Pagesand research pertaining to autism is very broad and includes more than just autism itself. A child with an autistic disorder is hard to identify because autism is not easily seen. Autism is more of a mental and social disorder; it doesn’t really have anything to do with a physical outlook. The autism disorder doesn’t only deal with autism; there are five other primary disorders involved with autism. When screening a child for autism, they will find out if any other disorders should be diagnosed. ScreeningRead MoreAutism : A Long Term Mental Disorder1034 Words   |  5 PagesAutism was discovered 60 years ago it has been puzzling, fascinating and massively researched. In 2001 the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the West Midlands Autistic Society and the Autism Services Accreditation Programme initiated the journal Good Autism Practice. Along with many publications by parent organizations. While it was at first thought that autism might be an early form of childhood schizophrenia, by 1979 this idea was left and deserted. Schizophrenia is a long term mentalRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder : Dsm 5 Changes And Controversies1694 Words   |  7 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder: DSM-5 Changes and Controversies There are constant changes being made in the DSM and with more research more information is available on the disorders. The recent revisions and changes to the DSM 5 have raised many controversies. The Autism Spectrum Disorder is an illness that affects brain development and is characterized by multiple domains. In the DSM IV the diagnostic criteria for autism and the subtypes worked well at making each disorder distinct and providing theRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Autism ) Essay1739 Words   |  7 Pagesconventions (Lai, 2014). These two observations would be the beginning of a disorder known as the Autism Spectrum Disorder. This developmental disorder, characterized by a range of deficits in different areas, is increasingly prevalent in society and in the media. While the exact numbers vary from country to country, according to Lai (2014), 1% of the general population is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The range of this disorder has a detrimental effect on soci ety, specifically the educationalRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Autism ) Essay1396 Words   |  6 PagesThe disorders listed under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder, were once listed as autism and subtypes of autism. This was changed in 2013 when The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) was published, and they were listed under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are five disorders listed under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett Syndrome and Pervasive DevelopmentalRead MoreIs Autism A Developmental Disorder? Essay1619 Words   |  7 PagesExploring Autism in Children Rutgers University Atypical Adolescence and Development Professor. Stevie McKenna November 2nd, 2016 Autism Abstract Autism is a developmental disorder in which an individual has problems with communication and interaction. Autism Spectrum Disorder was adopted as a categorization in 2013 and begins in childhood and follows throughout the course of a child’s life and is actually a collection of developmental brain disorders. There isRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder And Autism Essay1393 Words   |  6 PagesAutism is a neurological disorder with many forms and severities, better known as autism spectrum disorder, that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout the individual’s life. Autism spectrum disorder is defined as developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges (CDC). Previously, autism was recognized in distinct groups and types. Now, autism is referred to as a spectrum because there is an overlap among all the different forms of autism