Children With Autism's Occupational Development

Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual. Autistic people express differently from each other. Autistic spectrum describes a range of conditions classified as pervasive developmental disorders.

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).

The term autism spectrum disorders derive various definitions depending on the type of professional is questioned. A medical definition of autism spectrum disorders provided by the Mayo Clinic in 2014 states, “an autism spectrum disorder is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child 's ability to communicate and interact with others. It also includes restricted repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. These issues cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning.” This is not the definition that will be referenced in this paper. The definition that is applicable to this paper is the educational definition, mandated by federal law to be used in public schools. The educational definition of autism spectrum disorders according to the book Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education by Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen is “a disability wherein symptom fall on a continuum from relatively mild to severe; DSM-5 divides them into two general domains: ‘social communication impairment’ and ‘repetitive restricted behaviors.’” A

Autism, also referred to as autistic disorder, is a childhood disintegrative disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are terms used for a group of disorders of brain development, with symptoms that some times appear during the first three years of childhood and progress throughout life. These disorders are categorized in different degrees, by difficulties in social interaction (verbal and nonverbal communication), and by repetitive behaviors. Autism is an extremely incapacitating developmental disorder. Autism has been recognized as distinct subtypes including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger syndrome. Now all autism disorders

Autism Spectrum disorder is described as a disorder that will disable people for communication and social interaction. They will have repetitive behaviors and also will have difficultly learning, reacting to things or paying attention. If there is an early intervention of this disorder treatment can be manageable. Scientist believe that genetic is the major cause of autism and there is a high chance of children to get autism if their sibling is already suffering from autism.

Although autism is a common disorder, many people are under educated. Autism is a shorter term for autism spectrum disorder or ASD. Both are “general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development” (What). ASD can involve many brain development issues, including “intellectual disability, difficulties with motor coordination and attention and physical health issues” (What). Individuals afflicted by autism can have a range of development problems from mild to severe. Unlike some other conditions, no two cases of autism spectrum disorder are the same.

In order to comprehend the information of the study, one must understand what autism spectrum disorder is. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is broad term which is used to describe autism and four other disabilities that affects one 's ability to socialize, communicate, and respond to one 's

Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Autism is actually called Autism Spectrum Disorder and encompasses a broad range disabilities such as Asperger syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and Pervavasive Development Disorder (Dunlap & Fox, n.d.). There are also varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication and no social interaction) to

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a universal term for a complex disorder of brain development. In 2013, the ASD

Autism is the most rapidly growing developmental disorder in the U.S. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both similar terms for a group of complicated disorders of brain development. Autism Spectrum Disorders are characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and communication skills with the presence of extremely odd behaviors. Autism is a spectrum condition meaning that while all individuals with autism share somewhat common challenges in their conditions they will all be affected differently. Social communication, interaction and imagination are three main areas of which all of those with autism share. Numerous individuals with ASDs have distinct ways of learning and behaving towards certain situations. Autism affects tens of millions globally and 3 million individuals in the United States alone.

I know autism when I see it. For those not familiar with autism, Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, defines autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees (hence, a “Spectrum” that includes both low- and high-functioning individuals), by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

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.

An Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition that effects social interactions and communication. The Autism Spectrum Disorder is present starting in the early childhood years. In earlier years Bettleheim thought autism spectrum disorder was acquired by a “psychiatric response to an unsupportive and deprived environment” (Hunt, pg. 305). The current understanding about how autism spectrum disorder is acquired is that the child’s brain poses neurological differences and starts before birth in the embryonic development of the child. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be acquired genetically and is acquired at birth but can not be confidently diagnosed until around the age of two. This is because children with autism do not have any physical characteristics. At age two children begin to interact with others and start to work on their communication skills and that is why the warning sign that the child could possibly be on the spectrum is around that age. A child with autism spectrum disorder is affected developmentally and educationally. Development and education go hand in hand and since children with autism have delays with communication and the use of language, they often have a difficult time in the classroom. It is important for early intervention to start with the child as soon as the child is diagnosed with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be defined as a “complex neurological disorder” (National Research Council, 2001), ASD, is the term used to cluster four separate psychiatric disorders together under one umbrella term; Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013). Research by Swedo et al. (2012) recommended that these conditions be grouped together to produce an accurate representation of the current knowledge of autism. The report suggested that clustering these four disorders together would provide a better diagnosis of autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a pervasive developmental disorder that constitutes impairments in social reciprocity, behavioral development and verbal and nonverbal communication. It is often characterized by repetitive or restricted behavior. Autism being a spectrum disorder affects each child differently and they have different strengths, weaknesses and requirements. In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental