Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Paper

Autism is a form of neurodevelopment disorder in the autism spectrum disorders. It is characterized by impaired development in social interactions and communication, both verbal and non-verbal. There is an observed lack of spontaneous acts of communication; both receptive and expressed, as well as speech impairments. A person diagnosed with Autism will also show a limited range of activities and interests, as well as forming and maintain peer relationships. The individuals will display limited interests, which are often very focused and repetitive. He or she is likely to be very routine oriented and may show behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and self-injurious behaviors.

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).

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, 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.

In contrast to help received as an ASD child, services and overall well-being as an ASD adult are lacking. In the article “Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders,” the authors describe that there is limited support and interventions for individuals with Autism who are over the age of 18 (Howlin and Moss, 2011, p.275). Howlin and Moss state, “The findings indicate that, as adults, many people with ASD, including those of normal IQ, are significantly disadvantaged regarding employment, social relationships, physical and mental health, and quality of life” (2011, p. 275). What makes the situation worse is there is little research being conducted to aid Autistic adults, especially ones over the age of 30 (Howling and Moss, 2011, p. 275). It is

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or autism is a general term that people use to describe a series of complex brain development disorders. This disease affects a person’s social skills and causes the brain to react differently in social situations than most peoples. Autism is most commonly found in a child’s first 3 years of their life, but it is not uncommon for an adult to be diagnosed with autism. ASD affects more than 2 million people in the United States alone. It is said that there is a 1 in 42 chance of autism in boys, and a 1 in 168

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a very difficult genetic disorder to live with. People with ASD have troubles socializing or verbalizing with other people. Women can avoid there child having autism by taking vitamins or eating food that has folic acid in it. In some cases the person could have strokes on and off. Some major causes are environmental stress, or genetic mutations in their genes. In chromosomes there are pairs, and those pairs can become mixed up and create a mutation. Repetitions of certain behaviors, social Impairment, and communication difficulties are some major symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some odd behaviors might be refusing to meet everybody, not just certain people. Social impairment is when the victim is not wanting to communicate with or welcome other people. Clearly, ASD is a difficult disorder to live with.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of conditions grouped under the neurodevelopmental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013 (Kress & Paylo, 2015). Those who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder must present two types of symptoms: 1) Deficits in social communication and social interaction and 2) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities (APA, 2013). The DSM-5 merged all autism disorders into one diagnosis of ASD. Before this publication, they were organized as distinct subtypes, which included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome (Kress & Paylo, 2015).

In 1943 a child psychiatrist named Leo Kanner wrote about a group of children who were apathetic to their family members and made odd and repetitive movements. A year later, Hans Asperger observed similar behavior in another group of children, also noting a lack of understanding of social conventions (Lai, 2014). These two observations would be the beginning of a disorder known as the Autism Spectrum Disorder. This developmental disorder, characterized by a range of deficits in different areas, is increasingly prevalent in society and in the media. While the exact numbers vary from country to country, according to Lai (2014), 1% of the general population is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The range of this disorder has a detrimental effect on society, specifically the educational system due to specialized care needed for children with the disorder. Prior to being known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder could be broken down into Asperger’s disorder, autism and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified; The DSM-5 combined these diagnoses. Autism Spectrum Disorder belongs to a group of disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction (Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet).” The spectrum described refers to the severity and the distinct forms the disorder presents in people with Autism. The severity can range from an individual who needs little to no assistance in their daily lives as well as those who are impaired and need assistance throughout. The distinct forms of Autism include intellectual disability, language impairment, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet). Overall, Autism is a broad overview of different neurological disorders that are confronted by those diagnosed within the spectrum.

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).

According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Autism is defined as a spectrum disorder (ASD). It refers to a wide range of complex neurodevelopment conditions characterized by repetitive and distinctive patterns of behavior and difficulties with social skills, communication, and interaction. The symptoms start from early childhood and affect daily functioning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximates ASD’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Autistic disorder, Rett’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)

It is also accompanied by repetitive behaviors, interests and activities (NINDS, 2015). These characteristics can cause a substantial amount of issues in social interaction and in additional functional areas. According to American Psychiatric Association's Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, 2013), “Autism” has been revised and is now known as Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is now a group of developmental disorders that have merged into one single disorder that includes a “wide range of symptoms and severity” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). This disorder can be demonstrated as one umbrella of diagnosis with subtype disorders beneath it. The subtype disorders are Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). (“What is Autism?”

Autism is characterized by a few distinctive symptoms, including impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Though every person will exhibit these symptoms in varying degrees along a spectrum, boys are at higher risk for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) than girls. The exact reason behind this is unknown, but one theory states that girls are under diagnosed. The reason for this could be due to differences in parts of the brains of autistic girls and boys, which can cause them to exhibit symptoms differently.

ASD and Autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development (What Is Autism, n.d.). Prior to 2013, patients could be diagnosed under Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) merged all Autism Disorders under one umbrella termed ASD so that it will improve the diagnosis of ASD without limiting the sensitivity of the criteria or substantially changing the number of children being diagnosed. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).