IMPAIRMENT NEURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM DISORDER

While there are many theories there is no single cause of autism. One theory assumes multiple factors interacting in complex ways (i.e. genes, environment and brain) can cause autism. Genetics play a role but do not explain the full picture or the recent increase in reported cases. According to Volkmar and Weisner (2009), "Identical twins have identical genes, while fraternal twins share only some genes. The implication of this finding was that there was potentially a very strong genetic contribution in autism. A number of studies have shown that this is the case. " (p. 26). There are medical conditions associated with autism which include, phenylketonuria, congenital rubella, tuberous sclerosis, and Fragile X. The strongest associations are with Fragile X, a genetic condition causing intellectual disability and tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart. There is no strong evidence that environmental etologies cause autism. Some researchers assume that environmental toxins can increase the rate of autism, but evidence proposed for environmental factors is based on a case by case report which is difficult to interpret (Volkmar & Weisner,

Symptoms typically are apparent before children turn 3 years old. (7). When individuals are born as an identical twin or have first degree relatives who have autism, they are automatically at a higher risk for developing it themselves. Other risk factors include immune dysregulation, altered short chain fatty acids, genetic mutations involving the metabolism of vitamin D, infections, teratogens, or antibodies maternally. For every 68 boys who are born, 1 will likely have autism, as boys are about five times more likely to present with autism than girls are. (3). When the brains of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are studied and compared with those who do not have the disorder, there are obvious differences. In the Autism Spectrum Disorder brain, there are alterations to the striatal circuits, a dysfunction in canonical neural circuits, and an abnormal basal ganglion connectivity. These striatal dysfunctions of the brain are evidence as to why abnormal behaviors occur in autistic patients (repetitive grooming, stereotypic motor routines, and deficits in social interaction and decision-making). There may even be evidence that links genetics to these specific neural circuits. (8). When MRI’s are taken on young autistic patients, the hyperplasia of their cerebral cortex can often be seen. Because the frontal and temporal lobes are important for social functioning and language development, these anatomical anomalies are likely to underlie the pathophysiology of autism.

From the time autism was identified in the 1940s, several theories have tried to explain its etiology. The earliest theories proposed as origin of autism was framed in the context of the early psychiatric models in the 1940’s, and believed that autism was “an acquired condition associated with children raised by cold, emotionally-distant mothers” (Schaefer, ***). Another early hypothesis proposed as being a risk for developing autistic disorder was the use of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine or the preservative thimerosal, but this hypothesis has been disproved (Anagnostou, Zwaigenbaum…., pg 510). It is now known that autism is a condition with a strong genetic basis, with more than 80% heritability (Meng-chang pg 903), but just like almost every medical condition known to man, it has several genetic and environmental risk factors. As mentioned earlier, autistic disorder is 4.5 times more common in males than females, which

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a class of NDD affecting mostly males, which are largely idiopathic and display extensive variation in terms of phenotype, severity and degree of heritability [2]. It is postulated that the pathology of ASD is the result of a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors, which disturb the developing brain [1]. ASD commonly involve deficits in social interaction and cognition, language, emotional learning and the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviours [1, 3, 4]. The brains of autistic children display reductions in long distance connectivity, abnormally regulated apoptosis and cell division, and increased inflammation [4].Additional studies have demonstrated gliosis, abnormal neuronal migration and

An author of Autism Speaks states, ¨A newly published brain-tissue study suggests that children affected by autism have a surplus of synapses or connections between brain cells.¨ (Autism Speaks). The autistic brain has developed an abundance of synapses during brain development causing connections between the brain to get mixed up. Scientists believe that this surplus of extra connection is the cause of those people who have autism have bigger brains. Stephanie Watson states ¨Scientists have discovered that in people with autism, this wiring is faulty, leading to misfiring in communications between brain cells¨ (Watson). This evidence shows that because the brain has developed all of these synapses they get mixed up and end up sending information to the wrong part of the brain so this is the reason many people with autism get confused about processing emotions, when they try to read the emotions the signal takes a while to get to the amygdala (involved with the experiencing of emotions.) From this information, we can see that the difference between autistic brains and typical brains is that autistic brains have a surplus of

This is a great concern because autism rate have been increasing in the society without any tangible facts that can explain the causes. Some researchers have show a number of genes associated with autism and Imaging studies of children with autism have discover some strange development of regions of the brain. This means that autism might result from disruptions in normal brain growth in early development. These disruptions may affect how cells of the brain communicate with each other and result to defects in genes that regulate and control brain development. Studies show that autism disorder is more rampant among the premature children. Environmental factors may have impact in defect gene and brain development, but there is no real evidence to prove and show that environmental involve in development of this disorder. Many studies have made it clear that vaccination for childhood infectious diseases does not contribute the risk of autism in the

Research shows that a combination of genetic and environmental factors leads to the abnormal brain development that underlies autism. The

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.

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, commonly abbreviated as ASDs, is gradually increasing. Today, about one in sixty-eight children have been diagnosed with one of these four disorders, which is a huge increase from one in one hundred fifty, as seen in 2000 (“Data & Statistics” 1). ASDs often coincide with other developmental, psychiatric, neurological, chromosomal, and genetic diagnosis, such as an intellectual disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, Down syndrome, or cystic fibrosis (“Data & Statistics” 1). The four different types of ASDs are autistic disorder, also known as classical autism, Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS),

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. This complex illness varies widely in severity, and is marked by social difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and communication problems. Usual features of autism include an impairment of verbal and non-verbal communication, problems processing sensorial information, difficulty in social interactions, and restrictive and repetitive patterns of conduct. Some causes of autism relate to growth dysregulation, and early intervention and treatment may offer significant advances in functioning.

“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.” Those with autism may have a number of developmental difficulties such as problems with social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. It is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments that have lifelong consequences. This paper will discuss how it is found in people, what the effects are, the levels of autism, and how you can help those with the disorder.

The purpose of this research paper is to reflect on the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in depths. Autism Spectrum Disorder is categorized as a set of complex neurodevelopment disorders that accompany repetitive and specific patterns of behaviors along with difficulty with social interaction (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes [NINDS], 2015). This research paper will discuss Autism Spectrum Disorder in several aspects such as definition, symptoms, cause, diagnosis, treatment and relatable disorders.

“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.” Those with autism may have a number of difficulties such as in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. It is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments that have lifelong consequences. This paper will discuss how it is found in people, what the effects are, the levels of autism, and how you can help those with autism.

Over the years Autism has become a widely known childhood disease that continues into adulthood. Autism first was a disease classified as “developmental retardation” in the 1887, it wasn’t until Dr. Leo Kanner’s study in 1943 that the foundation was built for autism as we know it today. Now autism is diagnosis that has become too familiar throughout the United States, affecting one in every sixty-eight children. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders that range between various symptoms, skills, and levels of disability. Some disorders that fall under different types of ASD is: autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. Few people understand what it means to have autism or the

This paper will discuss the characteristics or Autism Spectrum Disorder, including its symptoms, treatments, and possible causes. This paper will also highlight the differences between Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and Asperger Disorder(AD). Autism spectrum disorders effect one in 110 births in the United States. Autism spectrum disorders are severe, incurable developmental disorders whose symptoms, including impairments in social interaction and communication, emerge during the first two years of life. Asperger disorder distinguishes from Autistic disorder because its presence may not become clear until primary school, when its social and behavioral effects become problematic.