Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study

Today, we are seeing a rising increase in the occurrence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. What once used to be a rare disorder is now commonly recognized in the medical field as well as in the community. Not only is autism a health issue in itself, but many health issues come along with the disorder. This paper will discuss the description of the population, the top health issues and their relevance, and interventions and outcomes that can help reduce these health issues in this specific population.

The objective of this study is to examine the vulnerable population of those with Autism and to examine the characteristics and attributes that make this group vulnerable. This work will identify the risk factors that contribute to potential health threats and describe how the community health nurse would assess for these potential and actual health problems. A list of formal and informal resources will be included. Finally, this work will examine how the effectiveness of nursing interventions may be evaluated.

When it comes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many people don't understand what the disability is or how children who suffer from ASD live their everyday lives. “Autism is a serious nuerodevelopmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact.” (Psychology Today, 2015). Usually, autism is diagnosed in children from as early as the age of 2 and symptoms can impact individuals throughout their lifespan. Common symptoms of autism include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing information from the senses, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Anxiety is also common among children with ASD, and parents of children with ASD are more likely

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

As some may know, Autism is a disorder which makes communication and social interaction difficult for the one affected. Autism is commonly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is made up of different “levels” and the patient can be severely autistic or mildly autistic as with Asperger’s Syndrome. Since there is a variety of different “levels,” there is a wide range of possible reactions that can occur. These reactions can occur when dealing with autistic patient in any setting, but especially in a health care setting.

Autism Spectrum Disorder also known as ASD is a Neurological Disorder affecting about 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls in the United States. The Government has said that the Autism rate has increased a 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. ASD is a Disease that has such a big effect on a kid’s life, the family, and everyone around them. A Child diagnosed with autism will have to everyday struggle to deal with normal life situations like communication and social skills that normal toddlers are able to pick up naturally. There are three main types of ASD’s: Autistic disorder which is also called “Classic” Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Persuasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified short for PDD-NOS also called

Numerous studies have been conducted on the diagnostic features and potential definitions of autism, and the accompanying developmental, social and behavioral deficits found in individuals diagnosed with autism. The various editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) have changed in their definitions and diagnostic criteria of autism over time. In past editions, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder were listed as separate disorders. However, in the DSM-5, which is the current edition of the DSM, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name of the disorder that encompasses the diagnostic features and definitions of those three neurodevelopmental disorders. Individuals previously diagnosed with any of those three disorders are now to be given the diagnosis of ASD. The definition and diagnostic criteria of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders have changed so much over time because screening and diagnosing autism is very difficult for a number of reasons, which will be more thoroughly discussed in this paper. This paper will examine the diagnostic criteria, prevalence and risk factors, most effective forms of treatment and intervention, and life impacts on individuals and families of Autism Spectrum Disorder through the review of the DSM-5 and several peer-reviewed journal articles.

This research paper is on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This paper is being written from a nursing standpoint, leading into a further investigation and understanding about what this disorder is, beyond a summarized section in a nursing textbook. In nursing, it is important that we try to learn as much as possible about diseases and disorders, so we can provide proper care.

When an affected child is around two to three years old, obvious signs of autism begin to appear (What is Autism?). Autism diagnosis requires symptoms from each of three categories. Most children with autism have abnormal social interaction. They may lack eye contact with others, fail to seek comfort, and not understand how to behave in social situations (Rodier). Because of this, affected children may feel lonely and not have many friends, as they don’t know how to act around their peers. The second category of symptoms is abnormal communication. Most children with autism have late language development and some never speak at all. If children are fluent speakers, they may talk endlessly about one topic. Affected people often use and take words in a very literal way (Rodier). Because of their abnormal communication, autistic children may have trouble participating in classroom settings. Later in life, they can have difficulties finding work. The third category used to diagnose autism is restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors. Many children with autism appear to have only one interest and they spend their time devoted to that interest. Many also have repetitive movements such as rocking back and forth and flapping their hands. “Children with autism often insist on sameness. They become distressed by changes in their environment or routine,” (Rodier). Other symptoms may include unprovoked tantrums and insensitivity to pain. Another common symptom is seizures, which one out of every four autistic children develops (Autism). All of these traits are common symptoms of autism which differ them from ‘normal’

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s everyday life. Some deficits may include communication (verbal and nonverbal), social interaction, and repetitive behavior. People with ASD may also show signs of motor coordination issues, intellectual disability, and physical health issues. “There are 1 in 68 American children on the spectrum ("What Is Autism?").” Parents are always trying to find treatments that may help relieve these children from their symptoms.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sometimes referred to as “autism”, is “a chronic disorder whose symptoms include failure to develop normal social relations with other people, impaired development of communicative ability, lack of imaginative ability, and repetitive, stereotyped movements”. Individuals with autism disorder have markedly different social and emotional actions and reactions than non-autistic individuals. For example, many autistic children do not seem to care whether or not they get attention from their parents. ASD also has an effect on IQ. While 30% of individuals with autism have an average or gifted IQ, 70% are considered mentally retarded.

Autism disorder is one of a group of disorders that arise due to an abnormality in the development of the brain of a child. The growth of the brain of a child with autism is abnormal while still in the mother’s womb. That is why early in childhood, their brains grow abnormally faster and larger as compared with brains of normal children. However, the reverse happens later in life. At this time, the brains of normal children grow bigger and better organized whereas the growth of the brains of children with autism slows down. The group name is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The word “spectrum” is included because each child affected suffers from the disorder in a different manner. Research has shown that the different types of autism include: autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. Autism can be recognised from the difficulty the child experiences in developing social skills like forming relationships, in talking skills and in non verbal communications skills as well as in doing things in a repetitive manner. Autism can also be linked with intellectual disability as well as difficulties in motor coordination or reflexes. It is also possible to link autism disorder with attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation. Some people with a specific type of ASD called

This article instructs pediatric nurses on how to deal with patients with autism. The first part of the article discusses what autism is and what the nurse is to expect when dealing with a patient with ASD. The second part gives suggestions to the nurses about how to communicate with a patient with ASD. When communicating, the nurses need to use visuals as much as possible, slow their speech so the child can understand, break down explanations to the child, allow the child time to process, and use concrete language with the child (Brown & Elder, 2014). When receiving the information, the nurses are to wait patiently for a response, and listen to the words and watch for behaviors that may be an attempt for the child to communicate (Brown

Autism spectrum disorder is not a single disorder, it comprises of a very diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders. According to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder 5th edition (DSM-V), diagnosis of ASDs includes three main deficits which are; having difficulties with social interaction and communication and deficit in behaviour, for example individual with ASD tend to repeat the same behaviour and they tend to be preoccupied. Under the DSM- V ASD consist of Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and childhood disintegrative. This essay will discuss the Etiology and prevalence of ASD as well as the treatments and interventions for ASD. Research study findings will be used as evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments for ASD. Finally this essay will briefly consider some limitations of these treatments.

Clinical Features & Symptoms: The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a wide range of symptoms, including difficulty with social interaction and communication skills, as well as unusually repetitive behavior. According to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), individuals with ASD have a tendency to respond inappropriately in conversation and lack the ability to build relationships (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). They often engage in a series of abnormal routines and develop inappropriate obsessions with particular items. Individuals with ASD also display a wide variety of cognitive functioning, ranging from severe intellectual disability to superior intelligence (Fakhoury, 2015). Individuals with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as responding inappropriately in conversations, misreading nonverbal interactions and having difficulty building friendships appropriate to their age. In addition, people with ASD tend to be overly dependent on routines, highly sensitive to changes in their environment and intensely focused on inappropriate items (Fakhoury, 2015). The symptoms of ASD are classified into two broad categories: core symptoms and secondary symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The core symptoms consist of reduced language skills and social interaction, as well as the presence of repetitive and stereotypic behaviors. Secondary symptoms include complications such as self-injury,