Section II: Identifying Autism
Recognizing characteristics autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and identifying them in individuals is an essential first step for any police officer to conduct positive interactions when confronting individuals with ASD. Officers who can successfully identify individuals with ASD are more likely to be able to use what they know to choose an appropriate approach when confronting these individuals. Benefits of this may include better officer safety and less injuries and fatalities for disabled individuals. With this in mind, it is incredibly troubling to consider that approximately 80% of police officers in a survey found it difficult to identify the distinguishing features of ASD (Modell & Mak, 2008). Therefore, it would seem paramount that there be a promotion of police trainings that focus on improving officers’ knowledge of diagnosis and characteristics of ASD as well as their ability to recognize these characteristics in individuals they encounter.
Diagnosis
ASD is a pervasive developmental disorder that consists of abnormal development and functioning of the brain. ASD may involve deficits in social behaviors, abnormalities in communication, cognitive delays, and repetitive behaviors (UC San Diego Autism Center of Excellence, 2016). ASD is a broad spectrum neurological disorder with a variety of symptoms affecting each individual differently (Debbaudt & Rothman, 2001). ASD involves severe impairments of reciprocal social interactions, impaired
Autism spectrum disorder is a general term for the complex neurological diseases that affect brain development. The common characteristics of the disease are difficulties in social interactions, speech communication and repetitive sounds and movements. In May of 2013, the DSM-5 diagnostic manual placed all autism disorders under one umbrella known as ASD or autism spectrum disorders. This merged all of the sub-types like Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (autism speaks, 2014). Common characteristics of autism are intellectual disability, challenges in motor coordination, attention span
Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities with lifelong effects for the person. They are characterized by the repetitive behaviors exhibited by the client with social and communication deficits as well. Clients with ASDs have unusual abilities to learn, they struggle with paying attention and may react inappropriately with extreme tantrums to different sensations. ASDs include and are not limited to autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, atypical autism and Asperger disorder. Research of autism has been tracked by the Centers of Disease Control for prevalence since 1996, however tracking of developmental disabilities began in the 1980s.
Specific data in regards to the individual’s social development and behaviour is collected. Inquiries about core ASD symptoms including, unusual, or repetitive behaviours and social relatedness are done, the family’s input is important.
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
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).
Scientifically, autism and autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, are commonly used names for difficult disorders that have to do with brain development. Disorders like these are grouped by someone’s difficulty in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and nonverbal communication. To the people who are diagnosed with this disorder and the families it affects; it is so much more than just science.
Autism: It is a complex neuro – behavioral condition which is characterized by difficulty in communicating, forming relationships, usage of language, basic social skills, understanding concepts, repetitive behavior etc. Also, called ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) the severity or the degree of the same may vary from an individual to an individual. Autism may be summed up as a developmental disability manifesting itself during the first 3 years of a person’s life. It may be relevant to mention that NO two individuals with Autism will have exactly the same symptoms – would range from mild to severe.
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
ASD also known as Autism spectrum disorder or simply Autism is a disorder that is very common in children especially in male children and it is known to that mainly affect the behavior, ability to communicate with others, ability to interact socially with others and level of interest to things of people.
Police will likely have to interact with individuals on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or those with intellectual disabilities (ID) early and often in their careers. These interactions may occur because the individual is the victim of a crime, perpetrated a crime, is reporting a crime, or is in need of assistance. Police officers may also respond to calls from bystanders who have observed erratic behaviors or from family members calling due to a behavioral crisis.
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.
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a complex developmental disorder which is usually diagnosed during the first 3 years of life. The disorder is characterized by severe difficulty or inability in communicating, socializing, forming relationships with others, and responding appropriately to the environment. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV, ASD was one of the diagnosis covered under the Persuasive Developmental Disorders category. The other diagnoses that were part of this category included Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger’s
Because of the range of symptoms, this condition is now called autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. ASD also ranges in severity from limiting an otherwise normal life to a handicap with a devastating disability that may require institutional care, and usually children with autism have trouble communicating. They
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The DSM-V includes a list of criteria that mentions what characteristics are present in a person with ASD. These include deficits in social communication
ASD and Autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development (What Is Autism, n.d.). Prior to 2013, patients could be diagnosed under Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) merged all Autism Disorders under one umbrella termed ASD so that it will improve the diagnosis of ASD without limiting the sensitivity of the criteria or substantially changing the number of children being diagnosed. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).