Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological disorder that impacts a person’s ability to communicate and form relationships. It is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the US. The diagnosis for autism is rising 10-17% each year with an estimated 2 million people diagnosed with the disorder. People who fall under the spectrum have pervasive deficits in social communications and social interactions across multiple contexts. They have repetitive and restrictive patterns of behaviors, activities or interest. The DSM-5 diagnoses this disorder under two different criteria’s: Social communications and social interaction deficits and repetitive behaviors. To meet the criteria an individual must demonstrate all of these

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

Over the years, more people are becoming aware of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD. The growing number of individuals who are affected by ASD have been increasing over the years. This could be do to the new DSM development of what is considered ASD or simply more children are being born with ASD. Either way, ASD is more predominate in our society today. ASD is defined in the DSM 5 as having abnormal social aspects, lack of social skills, non-verbal communications skills, deficits in development, lack of understanding of relationships, and self-stimulation through repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Although these are not all of the symptoms caused by ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD / autism) are a group of disorders referred to as "developmental disabilities" and the result for children afflicted with ASD is "significant social, communication and behavioral changes" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC). In short, children with ASD simply deal with their brain's information in ways apart from others around them. The CDC information explains that autism can afflict a child in a very "mild" way or in a "sever" way as well. Many of the symptoms are typically shared by all children with autism, and among those shared symptoms having to do with social interaction; children with autism struggle to have normal social interaction with others. The differences in how autism manifests itself in a child and how it starts can be dramatic. This paper reviews the physical, social, and cognitive aspects of autism in children, and relates two developmental theories to the literature on autism.

While RF meets the criteria for Autism, other children display the same symptoms of ASD, only not as severe, which leads to the diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. Although one feature that differentiates Autism and Asperger’s is communication impairment (Thede & Coolidge, 2007), Kozlowski, Matson, and Sipes (2012) tested the differences between the two disorders with respect to verbal communication impairments. In both Autism and Asperger’s, verbal communication impairments are prevalent, and correlated with challenging behavior, however, in Asperger’s these symptoms are less intense. Children diagnosed with Asperger’s and Autism also share the symptoms of lack of communication, and repetitive behavior; however, they differ in their cognitive ability. Due to these shared traits, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome are placed under the same disorder (ASD), with differing levels of severity.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavior challenges and was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943 (Brown & Percy, 2007). Individuals with ASD can range from high functioning to low functioning in their ability to learn, think, and problem solve (Brown & Percy, 2007). Behavior problems are common among individuals with ASD (Hill at el, 2014). Kogan (2009) estimates that approximately 637,000 children in the U.S. alone have ASD and within those 637,000 children, Hagopian (2007) suggests that half of those children, who are diagnosed with ASD, also display problem behavior. According to Hagopian & Hardesty (2014), Applied Behavior

Language Skills and Reciprocity: Children with ASD suffer many conversation challenges and often have problems with reciprocity. This means they have difficulty initiating conversation and responding to others who try to start conversation. They have poor turn taking skills and often their responses don’t relate to the topic that is introduced. Their responses may seem like scripted language or echolalia of the most recent statement (Owens, 2013). Children with ASD will have problems using verbal and non-verbal communication; these verbal limitations include impaired acquisition of words, word combinations, and syntax. They also tend to provide information that is excessive, inappropriate, and unnecessary (ASHA, 2014).

Autism spectrum disorder hinders a child’s capability to interact and communicate with others; “ASD is now defined by the American Psychiatric Association 's Diagnosis

ASD affects a child’s ability to interact and communicate with others. No child is the same

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication together with demonstration of restricted, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior and interests (American Psychiatric Association; APA, 1994). Delay in numerous different skills such as cognition, social, motor, play and adaptation are prevalent among many children with ASD. (reference)

Per the maturational lag hypothesis, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may arise from delayed development in any of the brain areas contributing to typical symptomology. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-5), autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and involves impairments in social communication, social interaction, as well as the presence of restricted, repetitive, patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (American Psychological Association, 2013).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects individuals whose brain development is outside of the norm. ASD is a complex disorder and each individual that suffers from has a unique set of conditions. The symptoms of individuals with ASD vary in severity. That is, the disorder is characterized, in varying degrees, based on how difficult social interactions and communicating are for the person. Before, all types of autism were considered as distinct and subtypes of autism. Each type of autism was termed as a unique disorder. For example, there was Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger syndrome etc.… (Autism Speaks, 2016). However, the DSM-5 diagnostic manual merged all degrees of autism disorders into

The following paper is going to cover the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using research and data collected from various authors and journalists the paper will describe the different variations of autism and discuss the impact autism has on a person- in society, at home, in the classroom, and in their careers. Beginning at infancy, autism has a major impact on not just the child but their family’s life as well. The child’s lack of ability to interpret social cues, gestures, and expressions can make it extremely difficult to interact with their family and others. For a child unable to distinguish praise from chastisement or a shout of excitement from a shout of anger, it can be extremely difficult and frustrating to interact with

ASD usually affects the way an individual communicates and places limitations on their ability to relate to others in a meaningful way; autism a disorder that begins in early childhood, and is also lifelong. As a child begins to grow up and mature the autistic features will change. The three identifiable impairments of Autism is exhibited through a childs language, sociability, and the flexibility of their behaviors, which is also referred to as the Traid of Impairments (Cashin & Barker 2009). ASD characteristics can also be correlated to learning disabilities, as well as features like self-injurious behavior, increases aggression, repetitive behaviors, and other abnormalities in sleeping and eating. It’s also not unusual to see an individual

Autism has been associated with a different neurological signs and symptoms and sometimes co-occurs with a diverse group of general medical conditions, including chromosomal and central nervous system abnormalities, among others (Karnes, Stephens & Barry, 2006). The basic symptoms in autism are mostly primary absence in social instincts that is usually seen in early stage in life. Many people with ASD have a combination of strengths and weaknesses that, together, cause a unique range of social skill difficulties (Lubetsky, Handen & McGonigle, 2011). Having troubles with social interaction, there is a failure to develop any type of age-appropriate peer relationship. Individual with autism also struggle with nonverbal behaviour such as eye contact, body postures, gestures, and facial expressions (Karnes, Stephens & Barry, 2006). Mind reading, impairments in processing, and reporting their own feelings, emotions, and communication problems are the psychiatric symptoms substantially contribute to the burden of autism on patients and families (Mazzone & Vitiello,