Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )

Many of us have heard about Autism, also knows as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some have a family member, a friend, or know someone who has ASD. Increasingly it is becoming a more common disability. “Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S” (Autism Speaks). Autism has no respect for gender, race, social class and or ethnicity. “Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain.” (Autism Center of Excellence) People who have autism have a lot of difficulties with social skills, communication and also will develop behavior issues. These behavior problems of an individual with autism can vary at times and can go from mild to severe. According to the Autism Science Foundation it says,” Many people with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASD can vary—from gifted to severely challenged.” The causes and symptoms, as well as the diagnosis, and the treatments of autism vary.

According to the 2014 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 68 children have been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); a rate that has been steadily growing over the past 20 years (National Autism Association, 2015). Increases in reported frequencies for ASD are most likely due to a combination of factors including broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness as well as a true increase in the number of people with ASD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Autism it self does not effect life expectancy and, in general, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can expect to live as long as the non-cognitively impaired population (National Autism Association,

Autism Spectrum Disorder, abbreviated as ASD, refers to a range of characteristics, signs, and symptoms that are unique. Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term and has five conditions, which are different but related. The five conditions of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 1) Autism, 2) Asperger Syndrome, 3) Rett’s Disorder, 4) Childhood Disintegrative (CDD), 5) Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). While each condition may have similarities there are primary differences in regards to their behaviors, social interaction, and ability to communicate.

This paper will cover many aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorder, also commonly known as ASD. It will identify reginal, national and global statistics of the occurrence of ASD, predisposing factors, usual signs and symptoms of ASD, and tests used for diagnosis. It will also analyze both medical, surgical and psychosocial aspects of the care needed by patients with ASD, interdisciplinary interventions, comorbidities commonly associated with Autism, and the prognosis of these patients. Lastly it will identify several implications for best nursing practice and interventions that may be helpful in the care of these patients.

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.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a life long brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate with others. This disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication. Researches have found that all autism disorders were merged into one diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger syndrome were recently recognized as distinct subtypes of ASD. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention, and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbance. Putting aside the negative effects of autism,

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Austismspeaks.org states that, “ASD is a general term to define a complex brain development disorder and is a pervasive development disorder (PDD)”. Autism is a debilitating neurological handicap in children. According to the ISRN Nutrition data, approximately 1 out of 54 boys and 1 out of 252 girls were identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) [6]. A child who has ASD has a difficult time adapting to their social environment. Not only does ASD have an impact on this child’s life but also their surrounding social environment such as family and friends. ASD is characterized as manifesting itself with various effects and to various degrees. It can be diagnosed from social

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a continuum disorder in which symptoms usually arise in early-childhood. Some individuals with ASD will display mild symptoms, while other individuals with ASD may display more severe symptoms, the spectrum aspect of autism causes this widespread diagnosis. Recognizing the spectrum disorder as a whole, and continually focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of each individual child’s development across all areas, is one of the many difficult factors of ASD. Among other deficits, communication deficits are especially prevalent for many individuals diagnosed with ASD. Some individuals are considered nonverbal or mostly nonverbal, while others may struggle solely with social communication, others still may not have any difficulty communicating with other individuals (DSM-5, 2016).

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a class of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and restrictive, repeated patterns of behavior observed at the onset of early infancy. The importance of somatosensory, including tactile, processing when studying ASD is often overlooked, but research in the field has progressed to better understand the role that touch plays in the core diagnostic symptoms of the disorder. Early observations of ASD include abnormalities in the response to sensory, especially tactile, stimuli (Kanner 1973). Tactile defensiveness is a common component of these observations, characterized by hyper and/or hypersensitivity to textures, temperatures, vibration, and other tactile

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a category of conditions also referred to as pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Some of the PDD include: Autism or Autistic Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder---Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) which includes Atypical Autism (Yapko, 2003). These disorders affect three primary areas of development. First is communication, which is verbal and nonverbal. Second there is social interaction. Lastly, there is repetitive patterns of behavior. Children with Asperger’s may not always get along with other children around them. They tend to asphyxiate themselves with one hobby, and learn everything there is to know about it. All of the disorders mentioned can be grouped together under a single heading: Pervasive Developmental Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

Autism defines as a developmental disability affecting verbal, and non-verbal communication and social interaction. Many experts estimated that 1 out of 68 children are diagnosed with autism and researchers are not sure about what causes it? There are numerous treatment to support children with autism but there is no known cure (Mash and Wolfe, 2015). In article,"The Kid Who Beat Autism", Ruth Padawer states that autism can be cured with A.B.A therapy whereas "The Kid Who Don 't Beat Autism" Joel Yanofsky refers that autism cannot be cured. I believe it depends upon an individual. One patient can significantly develop while other remains the same. Both articles helped me to draw a conclusion for my claim. As Padawer mentioned B who was the patient of Autism recovered with the help of ABA therapy. According to the Yanofsky, Matthew who recieved the same therapy as B did not recovered.

Millions of people are diagnosed with autism but few know what they go through every day. It is a constant struggle day in and day out of either fearing social interaction or accidental touching of strangers. Their minds work at an entirely different pace, compared to others, running at full speed.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most researched child disorders. It affects every 1 in 100 people, affecting 4 times the amount of boys than it does girls. ASD can be detected in children as early as 18 months and is a lifelong condition affecting the social and communitive interactions in child’s life. Autism affects every person differently and to a different degree of severity. The symptoms of Autism present differently in each case and differ in development. The understanding of the disorder has come a long way and research has allowed better knowledge to be attained. Through the use of DSM-5, ADI-R ADOS there have been systems developed in order to help diagnose ASD, and therefore help manage the symptoms

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders. ASD includes a wide range, “a spectrum,” of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability. People with ASD often have these characteristics such as ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others. Repetitive behaviors as well as limited interests or activities. Symptoms that typically are recognized in the first two years of life. Symptoms that hurt the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of life. Some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. Treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. In the presence of

Autism spectrum disorder, ASD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized in the DSM-5 by early-onset, persistent social communication and interaction deficits and restricted patterns of repetitive behaviour that significantly impair important areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Many treatments have been proposed to help reduce symptoms associated with ASD. However, very few of these treatments have presented convincing etiological backgrounds or been supported by empirical evidence (Bowker, D’Angelo, Hicks & Wells, 2011). This is particularly troubling given the profound negative effects associated with this diagnosis and the desperation for a cure or effective treatment that is often felt by the caregivers of