Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that is characterized by abnormalities relating to social, behavioral, cognitive and language skills. The genetic architecture of ASD is comprised of a variety of rare mutations. These mutations include monogenic conditions involving autistic symptoms. Furthermore, single nucleotide variants and de novo copy number variants add to disease susceptibility.
Inherited Factors Related to ASDs
Autosomal recessive loci are assisting scientists in understanding the inherited factors related to autism. Scientists are hopeful that the discovery of these mutations will offer them an opportunity to detect neurodevelopmental mechanisms in disease; thus, providing researchers with some amount of convergence that may be responsive to treatment intervention.
Genetic Research Sheds Light on Factors Contributing to the Development of an ASD
Research indicates that there could be almost 1000 genes contributing to an individual’s predisposition of developing an autism spectrum disorder. Although the genetic revolution enables scientists to identify a patient’s genetic etiology, the treatments available for ASD have remained the same. For instance, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved aripiprazole and risperidone for the treatment of irritability in people who have an autism spectrum disorder; however, there are currently no drugs available to treat the two core characteristics of autism.
These two
Autism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental disorders that impair social skills, behavior, and communication (Center for Disease Control). ASDs are considered ‘spectrum’ disorders because each patient has a unique experience in the nature and severity of their symptoms (Center for Disease Control). Under the umbrella of ASDs, there are three types of disorders, including Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Center for Disease Control). Autistic disorder is the most severe of the three, and patients exhibit significant problems with language, communication, and behavior (Center for Disease Control). Furthermore, people with Autistic disorder often have some intellectual impairment (Center for Disease Control). Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autistic disorder where patients have some developmental delays, but their language and intellect are not affected (Center for Disease Control). The mildest of the ASDs is the pervasive developmental disorder. These patients usually don’t meet all of the criteria for autistic disorder, but do show some signs of social and communication problems (Center for Disease Control). The number of children diagnosed with ASD is growing, and currently 1 in 88 children fall somewhere on the spectrum (Mari-Bauset et al., 2013). Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and while the exact cause of these disorders is unknown, both genetic and
Autism is the main form of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism is a developmental disorder that is manifested in problems with communication, impairment of social functioning, and repetitive behaviours. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), ASD diagnoses must meet four different areas of criteria. There are three symptoms of "deficits in social communication and interaction across contexts," four symptoms of "restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities," "symptoms must be present in early childhood," and the symptoms must "together limit and impair everyday functioning" (Carpenter, 2013). There are many theoretical positions on the causes of autism spectrum disorders. Some of which have been discounted by empirical studies that have been researched and performed.
Autism has become an increasingly important public health concern as the number of yearly diagnoses of the disorder has increased since the late 20th century. The National Institute of Health estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States are classified as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (NINDS, 2009), a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs children 's ability to learn and causes issues with social interaction and communication. Symptoms of ASD include delays in speech and language, issues with social interaction, and unusual behaviors/routines.
ASD also known as Autism spectrum disorder or simply Autism is a disorder that is very common in children especially in male children and it is known to that mainly affect the behavior, ability to communicate with others, ability to interact socially with others and level of interest to things of people.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as a group of complex disorders of the brain. The autism spectrum contains many other disorders within itself, and each of them have different symptoms. These disorders include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger syndrome (Frequently Asked Questions, 2015). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 1 in 68 American children are on the spectrum, with the statistics in other countries being even higher. This number has increased in the last 40 years and could partly be because of the improved diagnosis and awareness, all because
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the fastest growing category in special education. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder generally diagnosed before the age of three. Its main factors include: repetitive stereotyped patterns of behavior, impairment in communication, and impairment in the area of social interaction (Heward, 1996). The DSM-IV “identifies ASD as part of a larger grouping, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). According the DSM-IV-TR there are five subtypes of PDD: autistic disorder, Aspergcr 's syndrome (AS), childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), Rett 's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)” (Meadan, Halle, & Ebata, 2010).
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that develops during a child’s first few years of life (Lesack, Bearss, Celano, & Sharp, 2014). This disorder occurs significantly more often in boys than girls (Goldstein, Naglieri, Rzepa, & Williams, 2012). Autism is part of a group that is known as pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which also includes Asperger’s disorder, Rett disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) (Sunita and Bilszta, 2012).
“Scientists have linked autism to a mutation in genes that alter DNA. Most of the genes identified in a study done by researchers from 37 different institutions and also Joseph D. Buxbaumfall, were put into three main categories. Some genes are involved in synaptic function which is how nerve cells in the brain communicate with the gaps and synapses. Transcription is also a category which is the process which DNA makes proteins. The last category was how genes remodel chromatin, which is DNA that’s packed
For many years, autism was rare, occurring in just five children per 100,000 live births. However, according to the Autism Research Institute, since the the early 1900's, the rate of
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS), is a group of complex disorders of brain development. Autism is comprised by a broad range of conditions, classified as neurodevelopmental disorders, which include difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive actions(“What Is Autism,” n.d.). In 2013 all autism disorders were combined under one diagnosis of ASD. Previous to that, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger Syndrome, and Rett Syndrome were recognized as distinct subtypes (Matson, 2012).
There is a wide variety of symptoms that have been associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, the name adopted in 2013) including, repetitive movements, emotional difficulties, sensory problems, etc. The exact cause of these symptoms is a widely debated topic. In this paper, I will discuss the overall prevalent causes for Autism as well as the different variations and subgroups. People are familiar with other disorders such as Down syndrome or Trisomy 21. These types of disorders are discusses frequently because of the knowledge and commonality of them. However, not everybody is familiar with a disorder such as Autism. This is due to the uncertainty of the cause for Autism. The overall concept of Autism is simple, but the causes are widely disputed.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disorder of brain and stage development, “by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors… intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances” (Autismspeaks.org, 2012). The disorders on the spectrum include Rett syndrome, classic autism, atypical autism or pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder. ASD can be caused by many
Research shows that a combination of genetic and environmental factors leads to the abnormal brain development that underlies autism. The
But two primary immediate causes are both genetic and environmental. “Research in 2009 found that variations in an area of chromosome 5 appear to play a vital role in some cases of autism” (“Autism”1).This betokens that 5 concrete chromosomes are evidently found to involve certain components of the cerebrum that cause ASD. “Many of the genes associated with ASD are involved in the development of the brain. The proteins produced from these genes affect multiple aspects of brain development, including production, growth, and organization of nerve cells (neurons).” (“Autism”1).The designations and symptoms of autism that are viewed from these stunt in magnification of the genes are behavioral issues which reflect on environmental
Some researchers have found a link between autism and abnormal gene, the gene may just be one of three to five or more genes that in any way interact to cause illness. Scientists suspect a faulty gene or genes may make a person more likely to develop autism when there are other factors involved, such as a chemical imbalance, viruses, chemicals or lack of oxygen at birth.