Autism Spectrum Disorder : Autism, Asperger Syndrome, And Atypical Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is a general term for the complex neurological diseases that affect brain development. The common characteristics of the disease are difficulties in social interactions, speech communication and repetitive sounds and movements. In May of 2013, the DSM-5 diagnostic manual placed all autism disorders under one umbrella known as ASD or autism spectrum disorders. This merged all of the sub-types like Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (autism speaks, 2014). Common characteristics of autism are intellectual disability, challenges in motor coordination, attention span

When people talk about Autism, they are usually referring to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which is a brain disorder characterized by social communication challenges and repetitive behaviors. The CDC describes Autism Syndrome Disorders as: “a developmental disability that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges. Autism Spectrum Disorders are categorized by significant deficiencies in social interaction and communication skills, as well as extremely challenging behaviors. ASD is mostly sensory overload.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of conditions of the brain development. (Vries, 2015). The main characteristic of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is that they have difficulties to adapt and interact with other people. Also, individuals with Autism have problems with their development of verbal and nonverbal communication. They show a repetitive behavior that is usually recognized during the first three years of life. Approximately one of sixty eight children are affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States. (Vries, 2015).

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 is a complex developmental disability. It is a result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges

The term “autism” has been used for approximately one hundred years. Autism comes from the Greek word “autos” which means “self.” Self applies to autism because people are taken away from their social life and isolate themselves. A Switzerland psychiatrist, Eugen Bleuler, was the first person ever to use the word autism in 1911 towards symptoms of schizophrenia. From 1940 through the 1990s, doctors have had many theories on how autism affects children. They came to the conclusion that autism medically affects each child differently. Towards the 1980s

The relationship between Asperger syndrome and autism has been a controversial topic in psychology. There is not a definite correlation which has been decided upon between the two and chiefly due to the fact that they are both overly similar. Concisely, psychologists seek to identify the main difference between them. In a simpler way, it is not yet clear whether autism and Asperger syndrome should be defined as independent (distinct) terms, or whether Asperger syndrome should be categorized under the wider realm of autism. In their researche, multiple scholars have come upon differing opinions and theories in support of their own perceptions of the two disorders which either agree or disagree at some point. Asperger syndrome is derived from Hans Asperger who is highly recognized for his efforts in defining the disease which many scholars had described as not diagnosable (Mayes, Calhoun & Crites, 2001).

To understand the etiology of Autism one must understand that Autism belongs to a group of developmental disabilities that have been identified as Autism Spectrum Disorders. The name "spectrum” indicates that the disorder is broad and it affects each individual differently. Autism Spectrum Disorder commonly referred to as (ASD) encompass delays in the development of many basic skills. These delays in development include but are not limited to: limited or inability to properly socialize or establish relationships with others, effective communication skills, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with Autism may also have (ID) intellectual disabilities,

Autism spectrum disorder is a lengthy diagnostic category that includes those with impaired social interaction and communication, and those with repetitive stereo-typed behaviors (Persico & Merelli, 2014). The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), defines the term ‘spectrum’ as a wide range of symptoms, skill, and levels of impairment or disability that kids with ASD possess. It is a disorder in where several parts of the brain have obstacles working together to complete complex tasks. It is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges (CDC, 2015).

Asperger syndrome:A neurological disorder associated with autism that is characterized by normal intelligence and language development, but marked by deficiencies in social and communication skills. Such individuals can easily become victims of bullying.

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.

When it comes to the Autism/Asperger spectrum it is an interesting disorder to learn and understand. As I had the opportunity to work with all range of children that have been diagnosed with Autism/Asperger, it is the students that have been recently diagnosed with Autism/Asperger that is interesting to learn about. I have the pleasure of helping a good friend of mine whom has a 3 year old son who was diagnosed with Autism during the summer of 2015 with understanding what is Autism and ways to support him with his diagnoses. As all parents at the beginning of learning their child has Autism/Asperger they are scared, they want to know what is best for their child when it comes to their development and what services are out there to help themselves and their child with their disability. As I observed my friend’s child, I learned that with the amount of support from family and friends along with his parent’s researching case studies and documentation on Autism, they are better equip of dealing with the disability than letting the disability take control of them.

First off, Autism has countless number of symptoms that occur at an early age and these include difficulty in socializing with peers, uninterested in conversations, difficulty in making eye contact, and focusing on random objects. In most autism cases, children do develop normally until the second or even third year of life, but then start to act completely different to social engagement (NIH, 2016). And most of these symptoms usually last all the way to adulthood. Moreover, in severe cases of ASD is the lack of communication, practicing and insisting on the same activities, and repetitive patterns of behavior affect the daily functioning of the individual (NIH, 2016). Therefore, diagnosing autism disorders solely off of these symptoms can be very

Because of the range of symptoms, this condition is now called autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. ASD also ranges in severity from limiting an otherwise normal life to a handicap with a devastating disability that may require institutional care, and usually children with autism have trouble communicating. They

Autism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental brain disorders with symptoms that range widely with each affected individual. Autism is a disorder that varies in severity of social interaction and communication that can benefit from the help of different types of treatment. Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, autism, pervasive development disorder, and non pervasive developmental disorder are disorders on the autism spectrum with differing levels of intensity. Treatments for autism include medications, special diets, and psychological therapies. Although different types of treatments may work better for some individuals than others, you can combine treatments for the best results.