What is Autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder also called ASD is a developmental disorder. People with ASD have
persistent deficits in social communication and interaction as well as restricted, repetitive
patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The symptoms of people with ASD will fall on a
continuum, with some individuals showing mild symptoms and others having much more severe
symptoms.
How does ASD occur?
ASD is a development within an unknown cause. It occurs in 1 out of 160 children from 6-12
years of age. There is a strong genetic base, if you have one child with ASD it is more likely that another sibling would have a similar condition. It is a result of a neurological disorder and the functioning of the brain is affected.
Signs and Symptoms?
● Echolalia: vocal echoing of words, phrases, or sentences spoken by others
● Delayed Echolalia: echolalia that expresses itself hours or days later
● Pronominal reversal: confusion of pronouns
ASD varies widely in severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly
affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps.
Very early indicators that require evaluation by an expert include:
● No babbling or pointing by age 1
● No single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2
● No response to name
● Loss of language or social skills
● Poor eye contact
● Excessive lining up of toys or objects
● No smiling or social responsiveness.
Later indicators include:
● Impaired ability to make friends with peers
● Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
● Absence or impairment of imaginative and social play
● Stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language
● Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus
● Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects
● Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals.
Motor movement
● Self-stimulatory behaviors: repetitive body movement or moving objects
● Self-injurious behaviors: actions performed that ultimately hurts themselves, such as
hitting or biting themselves, banging their heads into a wall, etc
● Impaired or delayed theory of mind development
● Lack of proto-declarative-pointing
● Trouble relating to others
● Do not play the “Pretend” game
● Avoid eye contact
● Intent looking
● Unaware when people talk to them
● Interested in people but struggling to communicate
Causes?
The first cause was family dysfunction and social stress was the primary cause of Autism
Spectrum disorder. The real truth is that we don't know what causes autism.
Biological correlations/causes
Genetic factor:
- Prevalence of autism among siblings is as high as 8 per 100.
- Autism concordance in monozygotic twins in 70%
Prenatal difficulties, or birth complications:
- Chances of developing the disorder are much higher when the mother has rubella(German measles)
- Mother is exposed to harmful chemicals during pregnancy
- Complication moments during labor or delivery.
Twins and siblings:
- 70% of identical twins are concordant for autism
- 35% of fraternal twins are concordant for autism
- 19% of different-age siblings are concordant for autism
Biological abnormalities:
Cerebellum:
Coordinates movement, and possibly helps individuals shift attention rapidly. It may be that people who have abnormal development in the cerebellum have problems adjusting their levels of attention, following verbal and facial cues, and making sense of social information.
MMR vaccine controversy:
It claimed that colitis ASD was linked to the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
Vaccine. The author of the fraudulent research paper, Andrew Wakefield, had multiple undeclared
conflicts of interest, manipulated evidence, and broke numerous ethical codes.
Treatment?
Every individual that is diagnosed with autism is unique in their own way that is why each form
of treatment is tailored to fit a specific person.
Behavioral treatment - The type of therapy for autism is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This
is a therapy that helps kids with autism learn skills and lessons about problematic behavior like hurting themselves.
Visual Communication Aids - Simple visual cause, enhances the understanding,
social interaction, and indecencies. It is found to be very helpful in developing verbal skills and assisting in learning, communication, and relationship development.
Social Stories - Explains and clarifies expectations in situations, and are useful for change which can be very distressing reduces anxiety and increases function.
Sensory Diet - Sensory stimuli are marked as overwhelming, using sensorimotor strategies to
attain calm alert states, and self-regulation strategy to calm the nervous system.
Medication - the only medication that is approved by the FDA for children with autism is Abilify
and Risperdal.
Works Cited:
F., Glock, M., Glock, M., Glock, M., Glock, M., N., N., N., N., N., N., Glock, M., & Glock,
M. (2022, February 24). What is Autism? Autism Research Institute.
https://www.autism.org/what-is-autism/
Basics About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD | CDC. (2022, March 31). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Autism: Signs and symptoms - Canada.ca. Signs and Symptoms.https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/signs-symptoms-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd.html
Signs of Autism | National Autism Association. (n.d.). Signs of Autism.
https://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/signs-of-autism/
Baker, S. (n.d.). Everyday Life with Autism. LoveToKnow.
https://autism.lovetoknow.com/Everyday_Life_with_Autism
NHGRI. (2019, March 9). About Autism. Genome.Gov.
https://www.genome.gov/Genetic-Disorders/Autism
Harris, N. (2021, November 20). Early Signs of Autism in Babies. Parents.
https://www.parents.com/baby/health/autism/early-signs-of-autism-in-babies/
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