Diagnostic Summary Paper AUTISM Autism is a disorder that impairs the
development of a person's capacity to interact with, communicate with, and also
maintain regular normal bonds with the outside world. This disorder was
described in 1943 by Leo Kanner, an American psychologist. Autism is considered
one of the more common developmental disabilities, and appears before the age of
three. It is known to be four or five times more common in males than in
females. It most cited statistic is that autism occurs in 4.5 out of 10,000 live
births. The estimate of children having autistic qualities is reported to be 15
to 20 out of 10,000. The gender statement noted before is not uncommon, since
many developmental disabilities have a greater male to female ratio. Autistic
characteristics are different from birth. Two more common characteristics that
may be exhibited are the arching of the back while being held, to avoid contact,
and also failing to anticipate being picked up (limpness in the body). Infants
with autism are described as being either very passive, or very agitated.
Sometimes during infancy there will be cases of head rocking, and or banging,
against the crib, but this is not always the case. Approximately one-third of
children develop normally until the ages of 1 1/2 to 3, and then the symptoms
emerge, referred to as regressive autism. During childhood, there is a
commonality of the affected child insisting routine. The reasoning is that the
child is not able to cope with novel situations. Wearing the same clothes, or
eating the same foods during meals, are examples. Tantrums can occur when these
perseverative behaviors occur. Twenty years ago, most autistic individuals were
institutionalized. Now only the most severe cases live in institutions. During
adulthood, autistic individuals are known to live with their parents, in
residential institutions, and some do live independently. Because there are so
many forms of this disorder, it has been said that there is no true adjective to
describe every type of person with autistic symptoms, or autism. My research
shows that there are no physiological tests that can be performed to determine
whether a person has autism. The diagnosis is given when a person exhibits the
characteristics of the disorder.
Note: In the last five years, researchers have agreed that those who display
autistic characteristics are commonly suffering from other related but distinct
disorders, such as Asperger Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Landau Kleffner
syndrome, Rett syndrome, and Williams syndrome. Physiological researchers have
discovered abnormalities within the brain, but the reason for the abnormalities
is not known, and it is not known where the relation to autism lies. These
abnormalities range from underdeveloped areas in the limbic system, to Vernal
lobules VI and VII, being smaller than average. Biochemical research has found
elevated beta-endorphins, relating to pain tolerance in autistic action. In the
cognitive realm, there is much talk of the theory of mind, or the inability to
realize that other people have their own unique view of the world. Some
Cognitive theorists think that the autistic person isn't able to understand that
other people have different thoughts, plans, and perspectives than their own.
Cognitive theorists also examine the 10% statistic of savant skills, an ability
that is considered remarkable by most standards. These savant skills are usually
spatial in nature. Interventions and therapies are difficult. Family theorists
try to work with the family of the patient, to try to develop appropriate
behaviors. There is no reported drug that can be considered primary for the
patient, although Ritalin is dispensed in many cases. Behaviorists look at the
changing of behavior through positive reinforcement, behavior recess, and in
turn examine the self-stimulatory and self-injurious behaviors. Physiological
work such as visual training, and auditory integration training, is used to
reduce sensitivities to sounds above normal range, or to sounds the patient can
consider painful. When it comes to autism, the most important thing to remember
is that parents and doctors in the medical field are now realizing that there
can be treatments, and interventions, that can be effective. In addition, note
that Federal Law now requires the states to provide early intervention services
for autistic children between the ages of one to three. The services exist to
provide tools to develop the children academically, and socially.
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