Chapter II: Review of Literature Autism Spectrum Disorder is a general term for a lifelong

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

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

Every year one in 68 Americans is diagnosed with autism. There are more than 3.5 million Americans living with an autism spectrum disorder (Autism Society), which makes it the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States, hence the significant amount of studies being done to explore its characteristics and find solutions. Autism, also known as ASD, is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is categorized by dysfunctions in social situations, communications, constrained interests, and repetitive stereotypic behaviors (Siniscalco et al). These behaviors can range from mild to very severe, and may be accompanied with other disorders. Autism can be diagnosed during early childhood, while symptoms begin to show during the first

Each year, more than 200,000 people are diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the U.S. ASD or Autism can be characterized as a brain development disorder that directly affects the nervous system. As noted on AutismSpeaks.org, ASD can be deemed as an intellectual disability. Symptoms of Autism can include difficulty with communication, difficulty in social interactions, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors. The severity of these symptoms vary with all ASD patients. Some patients with ASD thrive in non-interactive subjects such as math, art, and music.

The course of a person’s development over the lifespan is influenced by several factors including genetics, environment, culture, nutrition, among countless other things. Developmental disorders also greatly influence a person’s development starting from a very young age. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a pervasive developmental disorder that can range from mild to severe. People who have ASD often have problems during social interactions, difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication, and experience repetitive behaviors (Santrock, 2012, p. 536). Those diagnosed with mild ASD, previously known as Asperger’s syndrome, have less communication problems, but are still impacted by restricted interests, difficulty engaging in relationships,

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the fastest growing category in special education. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder generally diagnosed before the age of three. Its main factors include: repetitive stereotyped patterns of behavior, impairment in communication, and impairment in the area of social interaction (Heward, 1996). The DSM-IV “identifies ASD as part of a larger grouping, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). According the DSM-IV-TR there are five subtypes of PDD: autistic disorder, Aspergcr 's syndrome (AS), childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), Rett 's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)” (Meadan, Halle, & Ebata, 2010).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-long developmental disorder with a neuro-biological basis that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that formerly were diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, and Asperger syndrome. ASD varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group. Males are four times more likely to have an ASD than females (NINDS, 2014).

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder, which affects impairments in social interaction, communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. Before May 2013, autism disorders were viewed in different subgroups labeled as autistic disorder, disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger syndrome, but noticing the broad relations to each they have now been merged into a single diagnosis called Autism spectrum disorder. The CDC has found that, “More of an impact is shown towards males as it affects an estimated one out of forty-two boys and only one out of a hundred and eighty-nine girls”. One out of sixty-eight American children fall on the Autism Spectrum There has been a ten to seventeen-percent increase annually over recent years, though there is no real explanation to this, it is most likely due to the recent awareness being taken in this disorder.

According to CDC, autism spectrum disorder is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social communication and behavioral challenges (2015). Needless to say, while people diagnosed of ASD may carry these developmental incapacities, it typically does not distinguish them from other people. For this purpose, this disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) refers to a group of developmental brain disorders that affect a child’s cognitive, behavioral, and social abilities (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). There are several forms of ASD that have different impairments and levels of severity. Recent research has been looking at the increased prevalence of ASD and possible causes of this increase.

Gillam et al. (2016) gathered five children with ASD, two girls and three boys, to participate in the

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects a group of complex disorders of brain development. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interactions, social communication and an unusually restricted range of behaviors and interest (David R. Simmons, 2009). It seems that autism is a new condition because most of research about this condition has occurred since the 1980. However, Autism has been around for a much longer time than that, people just didn’t know about it.

When speaking about Autism, the image that usually comes to people’s minds is someone who doesn’t interact with others, doesn’t show emotions, and is a genius in some field of science or music. Though this might by the true picture of a person with autism, symptoms of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder can vary greatly. The main characteristics of ASD are: hardships in social behavior, repetitive behavior, interests in a specific subject or subject area, which cause “significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.” ASD should be noticeable in the first couple of years of a child’s life. In the US, about 1 in every 68 children has ASD, boys being affected 4 to 5 times more than girls (nimh.nih.gov). The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders,