Autism is a syndrome that is characterized by the impairment of social interaction skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, and a decreased interest in participating in a variety of activities. In 1943, Kanner, the man who is attributed with the identification of this disease, hypothesized that autism might be a biological disorder as opposed to a psychological one. Numerous studies have been conducted supporting Kanner’s hypothesis. These studies have ranged from examining the effects of rubella to investigating certain purine metabolic disorders as possible etiological agents. Recently, the areas of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and genetics have played a crucial role in developing a clearer picture into
In the article Autism Society, Studies shown that autism caused by having a surplus of synapses, connections between brain cells. The surplus slowdown in the normal pruning process that occurs during childhood and adolescence brain development. In many families, there are patterns of autism or related disabilities that have a genetic basis. Children who have autism may have inherited, although researchers don’t know the direct cause of autism, they’re still investigating many numbers of theories, including the links among heredity, genetics and medical problems.
To understand the etiology of Autism one must understand that Autism belongs to a group of developmental disabilities that have been identified as Autism Spectrum Disorders. The name "spectrum” indicates that the disorder is broad and it affects each individual differently. Autism Spectrum Disorder commonly referred to as (ASD) encompass delays in the development of many basic skills. These delays in development include but are not limited to: limited or inability to properly socialize or establish relationships with others, effective communication skills, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with Autism may also have (ID) intellectual disabilities,
While genes play a role in the development or triggering of autism, they do not occupy the entire picture. Many other factors, termed as “environmental factors”, also play a significant role in the early development of autism. What the term “environmental” includes may be debatable. What falls into the category of environmental factors must be identified in order to prevent misleading pretenses. Throughout the research of autism, the word “environmental” refers to any influence beyond
The history of autism dates back to about one hundred years ago, the word autism was by Eugene bleuler in 1908 to describe a group of people similar to schizophrenia. Later in the 1940s the united states began to use it to describe a group of children with emotional and social problems. Autism and schizophrenia were regarded in the same context, till 1960 when medical professionals began to separate their understanding of autistic children. For a very long time autism and psychosis continued to be confused and till this day many parents find a hard time understanding the real meaning of autism and till this day researchers still haven’t found the cause of autism. Autism is a complexed
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
Over the last 20 years there has been a rapid rise in the rate of autism. The overarching consensus is that no matter the genesis for ASD, it results in abnormalities in brain structure and function. Identifying causation may lead to a cure, or the ability to identify genetic markers for the disorder. Finding causation could help us eliminate known teratogens from our environment, foods, and products still being used today.
One out of every sixty-eight children are born with Autism Disorder each year, which majorly affects brain development. This paper will help those who read have a better understanding of this disorder and everything that goes along with it. Autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized by, in varying degrees, by difficulties of social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors (Autism Speaks, 2016, p. 1). The commonality of Autism has increased in the last forty years due to increased awareness, improved diagnosis, and just a better general understanding of the disorder.
Autism is a mental condition that presents from early childhood; this condition is a complex neurodevelopment disorder that characterized in different degrees, such as difficulties in social interaction, both nonverbal and verbal communication, repetitive and patterns of behavior. These symptoms are always being a challenge for affected child’s daily functioning. The behaviors in autism children can range in impact from mild to disabling. Autism show up with different characteristic and its severity are not equal in affected children; the symptoms may go unrecognized for some period of time especially in mildly affected children. There isn’t certain about the causes of autism, but it’s possible that genetics and environment play
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neuro-developmental disorders that are categorized by complications in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restrictive, repetitive, stereotyped behavior. Because reports suggest that ASD may arise in children during a time of early brain development, symptoms of ASD can be seen in children as young as 18 months (2). Most recent statistics from the CDC report that 1 in 68 children- a 30% increase from the previous rate- have been diagnosed with ASD and 1 in 45 in New Jersey. The causes of ASD are not well understood, but scientists agree that genetics, epigenetics, and environment may all play a significant role. Although determining the genetic causes of autism has been a daunting
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 continues to spark countless discussions and debates throughout the medical field. Some doctors believe that autism is a neurological disorder that can and should be treated, as others continue to think it is simply a difference in human adaption that needs to be nurtured and acknowledged. Regardless of what autism may be, it continues to dramatically rise in the number of children and families affected. With autism being based on such a broad spectrum, the affects and causes leaves the medical world searching for answers in unending stacks of research.
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,
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder. Like many other psychological disorders, it is commonly misunderstood in popular culture. Many allude to it casually, often equating it with crippling social awkwardness and disability when it is in fact a spectrum disorder with many degrees of severity. It is somewhat of an enigma within the scientific community as well; there are many things we do not know about ASD and there is ongoing research to learn more about the disorder. The purpose of this paper is to explain what is currently known about ASD: general facts, symptoms, prognosis, treatment, and demographics.
“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.