Vulnerable Populations: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

We are living in a time where a remarkable and advanced medical treatments exist. However, scientists and medical professionals are constantly faced with diseases and disorders that contemporary humanity needs a cure and treatment. Amongst the disorders that affecting our young people today is the autism spectrum disorder. It is a “complex and life long behavioral disorder marked by impairment in social and communicative abilities”(Evans, et al., 2008). People living with autism range from those with high IQ’s to those with intellectual retardadtion.

Many of us have heard about Autism, also knows as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some have a family member, a friend, or know someone who has ASD. Increasingly it is becoming a more common disability. “Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S” (Autism Speaks). Autism has no respect for gender, race, social class and or ethnicity. “Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain.” (Autism Center of Excellence) People who have autism have a lot of difficulties with social skills, communication and also will develop behavior issues. These behavior problems of an individual with autism can vary at times and can go from mild to severe. According to the Autism Science Foundation it says,” Many people with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASD can vary—from gifted to severely challenged.” The causes and symptoms, as well as the diagnosis, and the treatments of autism vary.

A significant increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has been observed over the past decade. Specifically, the prevalence has increased from 1 in 110 children to 1 in 88. The 2011 Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) described the increase in prevalence of ASDs as a national medical emergency. To address this emergency, the IACC developed a strategic plan. Successful implementation of the plan could improve the quality of life of children with ASDs and their families. Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of evidence-based services is one of the long-term objectives in the IACC strategic plan, and this proposal addresses it. According to PA-10-159 entitled Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03),

The objective of this study is to examine the vulnerable population of those with Autism and to examine the characteristics and attributes that make this group vulnerable. This work will identify the risk factors that contribute to potential health threats and describe how the community health nurse would assess for these potential and actual health problems. A list of formal and informal resources will be included. Finally, this work will examine how the effectiveness of nursing interventions may be evaluated.

Autism has become an increasingly important public health concern as the number of yearly diagnoses of the disorder has increased since the late 20th century. The National Institute of Health estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States are classified as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (NINDS, 2009), a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs children 's ability to learn and causes issues with social interaction and communication. Symptoms of ASD include delays in speech and language, issues with social interaction, and unusual behaviors/routines.

Autism disorder is an issue facing many people today. It’s an issue widely discussed in the news and social media. In Gale’s data from 2015 defines autism as a general term for a group of complex disorders of the brain development that are grouped together under the broader term of autism spectrum disorder also known as ASD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2014, about 1 in 68 out of 1,000 children were diagnosed with ASD. This was a dramatic increase from 1 in 150 children in 1992. The CDC also

According to the 2014 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 68 children have been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); a rate that has been steadily growing over the past 20 years (National Autism Association, 2015). Increases in reported frequencies for ASD are most likely due to a combination of factors including broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness as well as a true increase in the number of people with ASD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Autism it self does not effect life expectancy and, in general, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can expect to live as long as the non-cognitively impaired population (National Autism Association,

Autism also affects the immune, nervous, genetic and enzyme systems, which shows a correlation between mercury and an autism spectrum disorder. The proportion of mercury has nearly doubled within the past few decades while the number of autism cases has also skyrocketed at an alarming rate (Bose-O’Reilly). In 2014, the Center for Disease and Prevention, also known as the CDC, reported that approximately one in 68 children is living with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States. This new estimate is 30 percent higher than statistics previously and is expected to continue to increase over the years like it has previously, because in 2012 it was reported that one in 88 children have an ASD (Autism Science Foundation). In the 1980’s the occurrence of autism was reported as one in 10,000 people and in the early nineties, the presence was one in 2,500 and in the late nineties it was one in 1,000 (Autism Science Foundation). Some believe it is an issue to compare autism rates over the last few decades, because the diagnostic criteria for autism has changed with the revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in order to reflect new research. But the revision of the DSM has little effect on the increase of autism diagnoses because according to the DSM-V the only change between the fourth edition and the fifth edition is the name change of the disorder from autism to autism spectrum disorder and the severity levels of the disorder (DSM-V Development). The revision of the DSM has no correlation to the recent increase of

Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term used in diagnosing a collection of developmental disorders of the brain that vary in severity1. People with ASD may have trouble with social interactions, problems with different types of communication, may practice repetitive actions or behaviors1,2, struggle with paying attention, and suffer from motor disfunctions1. ASD is usually diagnosed in children between the ages of 2 and 3, this early diagnosis is very beneficial because it leads to intervention which intern leads to more positive outcomes later in life1. ASD affects 1 in every 68 American children1 and is 4-5 times more common in boys than girls1. Prevalence of this disease is on the rise, with a 10-17% increases in cases per-year1, which could be due to improved diagnostic methods, environmental factors, and other reasons that are unknown1. One well established diagnostic tool is the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) which is 15-point rating scale3 used to diagnose children with ASD and determine its severity2. Another less accredited, but still informative diagnostic tool is the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)2 which differs from the CARS because it is a parent rater form of measurment2. ASD has no cure, but there have been studies that show behavioral outbursts can be reduced with the use of certain movements and breathing techniques4. This encourages confidence that more aspects of ASD can be improved with similar methods.

Autism is affecting children of the U.S.at a rate of one out of every 68.Meaning one out of 68 children will be diagnosed with ASD. This disorder occurs more often among boys than girls. ASD affects over 3 million individuals in the U.S. Statistics show that the number of people diagnosed has increased by 17% within a year. There is no explanation, Scientists do not know the cause nor is there a cure for ASD. However it is definitely on the rise. It is unknown whether the growing number shows a real increase or is the sudden increase as a result of improved detection by physicians.

Autism has become one of the fastest growing developmental disorder in the recent years. In the year 2000, the prevalence of ASD was 1 out of 150 school-age children (Schaefer, 2016, pg***). According to the latest data by the Center of Disease Control, or CDC, it is estimated that the incidence is now 1 in every 68 children that is diagnosed with autism in the United States. It is also estimated that autism is approximately 4.5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189) (CDC, 2014).

In the United States, about 1 in every 68 births has a mental disorder called autism. (CDC, 2014) However in the world, about 1 percent has autism. (CDC, 2014) Autism is a mental disorder that an individual develops in their early childhood with the causes of abnormal brain structure, shape, and function. This mental disorder deals with the impairment of someone’s ability to communicate and their interaction with others. In addition to, it is a developmental disability, which means the signs of autism will not happen right away, but will develop throughout their years. People with autism cannot control the effects of their behavior in society, considering its effects of being a mental disorder, cannot be cured and it makes life difficult for

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is known as a neurodevelopmental disorder that is capable of weakening communication, behavior and socialization. The term ASD includes three major subtypes which is Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder. About 9.0 in 1000 children have ASD and certain types of autism might not be identified until three years of life. The probability of boys being diagnosed is higher compared to girls (Bravaccio et al. 2013). Autism is not curable, but it can be controlled using certain type of treatments as there is no specific or one treatment for autism. The question that arises for this literature review, if the treatment used for autism is effective?

Tens of millions of people have been diagnosed with Autism worldwide, effecting both genders, all races, ethnicities and people from all socioeconomic classes. In 2010 a Surveillance Summary was conducted in the United States, where it identified that one in 68 children are diagnosed with Autism (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). It has been recognised

In 2011, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that on average, 1 in 10 children each year are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (Hunt & Marshall, 2012, p. 304). However, the number of children diagnosed with autism in recent years is