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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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What is Autism?
Autism is known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by reduced social interaction, verbal, and non-verbal communication and restricted and repetitive behavior. (Langone, 2002, p. 3). ASD can also be linked with many other symptoms such as intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination, attention, and physical health issues. Sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances, are known as the physical health issues (Langone, 2002, p. 4). Autism appears to develop and show signs in the early stages of the brain development, specifically between the ages of 2 and 3 years old.
Common signs a person show when having ASD, is they tend to be unresponsive to people or focus intensively …show more content…

It was also estimated that 1 out of 42 boys and 1 out of 189 girls will have autism in the United States. The CDC has also come up with these facts from statistics and researches; ASD is almost 5 times more common among boys. Parents who have a child with ASD, have a slight chance for their second child to have ASD. Children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having ASD. (Langone, 2002, p. 8). Individuals with autism are very unique; you will never meet one that is the same. Most ASD persons have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music, and academic …show more content…

(Autism, 2004, p. 5). Symptoms include Social interaction challenges: difficulty engaging in everyday human interactions, communication difficulties- delayed in babbling speaking, and learning to use gestures at an early age , repetitive behaviors- include hand flipping, rocking, jumping, twirling, arranging and rearranging objects, repeating sounds, words, and phases, compulsive Behavior : intended to follow rules, such as arranging objects in stacks or lines, Ritualistic Behavior: involves a unvarying pattern of daily activities. And lastly Self injury behavior: includes movement that injures or can injure them. (Autism, 2004, p. 5).
Treatment for Autism
There is no cure for ASD. Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms that a person with ASD will most likely show, and can bring about substantial improvement. These treatment plans organizes therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children with ASD. (Adehem, 2006). Treatments that are helpful for autism are known as:
Educational /behavior Interventions – these therapist uses highly structured and intensive skill oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills and applied behavioral analysis. (Adehem,

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