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Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study

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Autism affects one in every forty five children in the United States (Autism Speaks 2015). Autism is an extremely broad behavioral disorder that affects a person’s social and communication skills. Each autistic person’s case is different. Although Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) cause a daily struggle, it is immensely possible for a person with autism to live an ordinary life. My first cousin Dawson Dabbs has struggled with autism since he was three years old. However, he was not correctly diagnosed with autism until he was seven years of age. He was misdiagnosed originally by one doctor with moderate to severe Asperger's syndrome with an acute sensory processing disorder. He was considered by the doctors to be a late onset patient which …show more content…

Autism’s cause, treatment, and prognosis are still being studied as of now, but several genetic defects are believed to lead to this disorder. It has been found that autistic people have smaller neurons and stunted nerve fibers in some parts of their brain. It is also believed by many that certain childhood vaccines could cause autism. Autism is diagnosed as a broad group known as pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). There are five PDDs which are autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), Rett’s disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The most severe of all these disorders are childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett's disorder. Most doctors normally group all of the five PDDs together under a general heading of autism spectrum disorders. The general symptoms of autism are repetitive behaviors and problems with social interactions or communication. Many assume that because of these agonizing symptoms an autistic person cannot live a successful life. Each person’s autistic symptoms vary depending on the severity of their disorder, but most of their autistic traits can be controlled. This means that a person with autism has the remarkable ability to achieve all of their goals in …show more content…

Each autistic child is different, and they all have differing characteristics. Each student needs an individualized education program (IEP). An IEP is a document that writes out the specific needs of the student and how the needs will be met. It is crucial for a child with autism to have an IEP. A parent of a child with autism needs to learn how to support the child, and the parent should make sure the child is motivated and comfortable in school (Autism Speaks). The IEP is what will help give the child a great school experience, and it help them stay more calm during class. It is critical that the school staff is cooperative in aiding children through their education. It is very important to make sure the child has the correct support systems in school and feel as comfortable as possible (Autism Speaks). A child with autism may face other challenges throughout their educational years which most definitely include bullying. It has been found that sixty three percent of 1,167 children have been bullied at some time in their life (Autism Speaks). For an autistic child, detecting that they are being bullied may be difficult because of their social deficits (NATTAP Partners 2008). For children who do not understand they are being bullied it is best to talk to them as honestly as possible and contact the school for support. Children with autism need a vast amount of

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