Autism Spectrum Disorder

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Although there is no cure for autism, therapies including speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy can improve certain symptoms and provide children with the opportunity for greater success. Cognitive behavioral therapy, Floortime and Pivotal Response therapy, as well as Sensory based therapies are all potential

Statistical evidences. ASD’s gender proportion suggests that the autism is sex-linked, and the statistical evidence convincingly shows that genetic factors are playing key role in the prevalence of ASD. To begin with, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the relationship between the number of autistic boys and girls. The statistical evidence shows that boys are more inclined to become autistic than girls. CDC states that 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls were identified as having ASD. This observation shows that ASD is likely a sex-linked inheritance. Sex-liked inheritance is defined as a pattern of inheritance characteristic of genes located on the sex chromosomes of organisms having a chromosomal mechanism for sex determination (Sadava et al., 2014). If the ASD was sex-linked inheritance, the ratio between male and female exhibiting the phenotype would result in 3 to 1 under the normal curve. The ratio between boy and girl is approximately 5 to 1, which shows that there is a strong association between sex-linked inheritance and ASD. For this reason, it is reasonable to conclude that ASD is primarily influenced by the genetic factor, which is prenatal.

Autism, as defined by the DSM-V, is the demonstration (either in the past or in the present) of deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, and deficits in developing maintaining and understanding relationships (autismspeaks.org). Autism is a spectrum disorder with varying levels of severity. Some children may be highly functioning while others remain non-verbal. These deficits can negatively affect a child’s ability to learn and participate in extra-curricular activities. In the classroom, a disruptive behavior may even negatively impact the learning of the other students. Outside of the classroom, communication and relationship barriers typically result in children with autism not participating in sports or other physically demanding activities. Swimming can be a valuable addition to education programs as it is both enjoyable for the subject and contributes to motor development (Mosher 1975 and Wing 1976). A well designed and carefully implemented instructional aquatics program can be instrumental in promoting health and wellness (Auxter, Pyfer, & Huettig, 2001; Lepore, Gayle, & Stevens, 1998). A group swimming and aquatic exercise program has the potential for providing exercise in a social environment and this may have positive aspects on social development and self-esteem in addition to positive effects on health for children with ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the early-onset inability to engage in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive behavior. It is commonly known to be a developmental disorder. Genetics, in conjunction with developmentally early environmental factors, play a key role in the causation of autism. Studies show that autism is more prevalent in males than females, although there is not much difference in individuals with intellectual disability. Because atypical development is now being recognized early in toddlers, children are now frequently diagnosed at the age of 2 years and last into adulthood, although symptoms may improve over time. A wide range of health care providers are the first professionals to

Since there isn’t a certain type of autism then, that means there isn’t a cure for autism. In other words, there is no cure for autism. Therapies, therapists, interventions, and medication can maybe help the child’s autistic issues. Some ways can help or they can do nothing for the child. For example, my nine year old brother has autism. He ranges from the speech impediment side of disorders on the autism spectrum to the extreme emotional anger side of the spectrum for autism. He is on four different medications in the morning and three different medications at night. The medication does help, depending on the time of day. Just like normal medication, his medication takes about thirty minutes to an hour to affect his behavior. Once in a while my

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopment disorder that affects people as young as infancy that can become more evident throughout their childhood. The word Spectrum refers to a wide range of disorders that are closely related through similar symptoms, as it will be explained later in this paper. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also known as the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, updated the types of disorders listed as: Autistic Disorder, Rett 's Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder also known as PDD-NOS. These types of Autistic disorders have affected over 3 million individuals in the U.S and

There is a lot to know about autism, but like any medical phenomenon there is still more to be learned and discovered. This paper incorporates the research of various studies in accordance to the distinguished disorder known as Autism. It is also referred to, interchangeably with classic autism as well as autism spectrum disorder. The title represents the paper’s goal in classifying autism as the word spectrum is used to classify something but it also shares the name with autism spectrum disorder. The intro also contains a short narrative of the author’s personal experience with a child who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. The various disorders that are divulged according to origin, diagnosis, symptoms, occurrence, and treatment in this paper are as follows: autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, pervasive development disorder, Rett syndrome, and child disintegrative disorder. Studies of stereotypes and talent assumed in the autism category are also considered.

- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and repetitive patterns of behavior. These signs usually begin before a child is three years old. Some parents report the change as being sudden, and that their children start to reject people, act strangely, and lose language and social skills they had previously acquired. In other cases there is a plateau of progress so that the difference between the child with autism and other children the same age becomes more noticeable. It is important to note that not all signs of autism appear in all autistic children. The degrees in which they appear may vary as well. But

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “about 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ASD is almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189)” (CDC, 2010). Autism spectrum disorder is a mental illness that is defined as deficits in social communication and interaction and limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The signs and symptoms of Autism usually are visible in the early developmental period (before age three). Nevertheless, lack of social skills and typical behavioral patterns may not be recognized until the child is unable to encounter social,