Research Justification : Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is most commonly described as a developmental disability that is diagnosed over a broad spectrum of impairment and identifiers; and within the first three to five years of life. The number of cases of ASD have steadily grown over the past several decades and can be seen in 1 in every 88 births (Ogletree, Morrow-Odom, &

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a growing problem throughout the entire globe. Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as deficits in social reciprocity and communication, as well as unusual, restricted and repetitive behaviors (Lord). Such behaviors may include running back and forth, excessive cleaning, noises, and clapping. These also vary greatly with age and ability, and the notion of ASD has been introduced to recognize these diversities (Firth). Autism was first discovered in 1943 when Leo Kanner observed 11 children with several common traits such as, impairments in social interaction, anguish for changes, good memory, belated echolalia, over sensitivity to certain stimuli (especially sound), food problems, limitations in spontaneous activity,

Autism is a form of neurodevelopment disorder in the autism spectrum disorders. It is characterized by impaired development in social interactions and communication, both verbal and non-verbal. There is an observed lack of spontaneous acts of communication; both receptive and expressed, as well as speech impairments. A person diagnosed with Autism will also show a limited range of activities and interests, as well as forming and maintain peer relationships. The individuals will display limited interests, which are often very focused and repetitive. He or she is likely to be very routine oriented and may show behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and self-injurious behaviors.

The word autism meaning “living in self” in Greek was first utilized in 1911 by Swiss psychiatrist, Eugene Bleuler. He used this word to describe a condition of self absorption caused by social relatedness (Gupta 2004). In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner from the John Hopkins Hospital introduced the label early infantile autism when he reported 11 children exhibiting similar behaviors. Before his work, doctors labeled such children as mentally retarded or emotionally disturbed. About 75% have IQs below 70. At the same time, research is equivocal regarding the number of children with autism who are nonverbal,

Autism may appear to be a new topic because of its prevalence in recent years. But autism has been a thought for more than 70 years. Historically autism was originated by a Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist named Eugen Bleuler in the 1912. Autism first appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM I) in 1952, under Schizophrenia and classified as extreme isolation or withdrawal from social life. By 1968, the term autism was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM II) and replaced with the word autistic but still under the diagnosis of schizophrenia. In 1980, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of

Meanwhile, Autism, as defined by the 5th edition of the DSM is, “a persistent deficit in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts” [1] there are three main deficits an individual must show in order to be diagnosed with autism. They are: deficits in social-emotional

The term Autism has been used for over one century. Early 1900’s the term Autism was used to refer to children with some social or emotional symptoms that cause those children to be isolated from others. Since Bleuler, E. from Switzerland in 1911 [3] until present days researchers has done tremendous efforts in: diagnosing, treating, and recording their researches.

Autism is a word that every modern parent is aware, and even afraid of. This word autism, however, has become common quite recently. It first appeared in 1943-1944 when Leo Kanner in Baltimore and Hans Asperger in Vienna, published articles describing a childhood disorder named “autism”. They actually borrowed this term from Kraepelin and Bleuler, who used it to “describe the escape from reality and withdrawal seen in schizophrenia” (Catherine and Frédérique 2431-2443). Now the term “autism spectrum disorder”(ASD) refers to a “condition of early childhood characterized by multiple impairments in socialization and communication, as well as unusual interests and repetitive behavior”(Lawrence and Karen 51-53). According to Dr.Jose Cordero, director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, autism has become an “urgent public health issue”(Caroline). It is a global phenomenon occurring in industrialized countries. Statistics shows a huge increase of autism in children: in 2000 every one in 150 children was autistic compared to one in 68 now(Alice). The most well known causes of autism are the use of vaccines, the increasing age of parents, and genetically modified foods. In addition, most researchers now believe that autism is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental triggers and possibly the use of

Autism is defined as, “A complex neurobehavioral disorder that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and communication skills and rigid, repetitive behaviors. The disorder covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. It ranges in severity from a handicap that limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating disability that may require institutional care.” (Melillo, 1)

In 1943, an American psychiatrist named Leo Kanner used the word “Autism” to describe the behavior of a group of children he studied (Mandal, 2014). Studies state that, “Leo Kanner systematically observed a small group of children with a condition he called Infantile Autism, launching the scientific study of autism” (Thompson, 2013, p. 81). The group of children Kanner examined in his studies displayed characteristics such as complications in social interactions, hardship with adjusting to changes in their day-to-day routines, and echolalia. In 1944, Hans Asperger also studied a group of children who shared similar characteristics with the group of children Kanner studied. However, the children Asperger studied did not have echolalia but generally struggled in the area of motor skills. Furthermore, the concept of the influence parenting skills has on Autism was studied and argued by psychologists Bruno Bettelheim and Bernard Rimland. Bettelheim suggested that cold behavior from mothers towards their children may be the cause of Autism and Rimland who was also a father of a child with Autism disagreed with Bettelheim’s statement. In the 1980’s, more people believed that parenting skills did not cause Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction, and repetitive patterns of behavior and activities. These symptoms are present in early development

Autism is an exceptionally that effects many people. In order to truly understand autism one must research certain information that helps unpack what autism is and how to help these induvial with any form of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study will include the definition, statistics, characteristics, behaviors, challenges, accommodations, diagnostic tactics, and strategies in order to gain a full perspective of ASD.

Autism is a complex development disorder that can begin at any point in childhood, from early infancy onward, and which can last throughout a person’s lifetime. The term “autism” is used to designate a group of

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive behavior (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), and is associated with impairments in executive functions. Autism Spectrum Disorder is also defined as a group of disorders that impair an individual’s ability to understand and engage in the give-and-take of social relationships. (Boyd, 2015) Autism is a well-known disability in the world today. Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify 1 in 68 American children on the Autism spectrum. There has been a prevalent increase in the cases of autism in the past 40 years. Over 3 million people in the United States alone are affected by autism. Government autism statistics suggest that the prevalence of autism has increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for why there is such an increase in autism in the recent years, but more people being aware of it and environmental factors could be a factor to the increase. (Jenson, Steinhausen, Lauritsen. 2014)

Life as a human is full of mystery and discovery. Throughout history, people have set out to learn more about the world and the people inhabiting it. In the process, they gained knowledge about a disorder that is now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or simply Autism. ASD is a developmental disorder that results in difficulty in social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Researchers have come a long way in gathering knowledge about the complex disorder since it was first discovered. Many of its aspects have been discovered and redefined to shape the disorder that is diagnosed and studied today. However, much like many other well-known psychological disorders, autism has yet to be fully understood; instead,