Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

There argon many diseases and disorders that plague todays society, but one of the or so serious of those disorders is autism. Autism is not nearly as widely known as the familiar Downs Syndrome, yet, surprisingly, autism is far more widespread. In fact, autism is the 3rd most common develop rational disability, affecting 400,000 people worldwide (Autism alliance of America). As of yet at that place is no cure for this debilitating disorder, notwithstanding a conversion of treatments. Autism is a developmental disability, not a mental illness, that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects 15 of all 10,000 individuals.No one is authorized why it occurs, but researchers have raise that MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) s toilets of people with autism show ab standardities in the structure of the brain. kernel(a) abnormalities include differences in the cerebellum and in the size and number of Purkinje cells within the brain. somemagazines there is a pattern that exists within families from generation to generation. This indicates the possibility that autism is genetically related. However, no gene has been found. Every someone with autism is antithetical and there is no set type or typical person with autism.This is because autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that symptoms and characteristics of the disorder can present themselves in a variety of ways, from easy to severe. Usually boorren with autism have deficiencies in both verbal and non-verbal parley. Their language develops slow or not at all and they have very unawares attention spans. They a good deal lack kindly skills and will spend time alone, rather than with others. In more severe cases, children have unusual reactions to personal sensations much(prenominal)(prenominal) as being all overly sensitive to touch or under responsive to pain.Most commonly, children with autism lack imagination and imitate others ideas, rather than initiate their own. Last ly, behavior is greatly affected by autism. They may be overactive or very passive and thrust frequent tantrums, injuring themselves, for no apparent reason other than to gather attention. They often lack common sense and show aggressive or raving mad behavior. While some people only show one or two symptoms, others have all or nearly all and note it extremely difficult to function in society.People with autism do go away normal life spans and the behaviors associated may change or disappear over time. As of yet, there is no cure for autism. However, with the proper treatment, many of the behaviors can be positively changed. Some of the treatments include behavioral readying, teaching of communication and social skills, auditory training, medications, and a change in diet. Behavioral training or modification, as it is also called, deals with changing or extinguishing contradictory behaviors and increasing positive behaviors. A few methods are use to do this.One way is self-man agement where the individual monitors their behavior and receives self-reinforcement. Another method used is modeling. This is when the teacher or therapist demonstrates what is being done so the child can model the steps. Behavioral training is effective in filet self-inflicted pain by shaping and distributing positive reinforcement. The teaching of communication and social skills is an integral part of treating autism. Speech therapy may include gaining language skills or learning sign language. Some devices are used frequently such as picture communication boards.Another device is used with a trained professional supporting the hand or arm of the person helping them to punch keys on a device. This technique, called facilitated communication, is highly controversial because it is sometimes thought that the facilitator is directing the persons arm unknowingly. One of the primary(prenominal) characteristics of autism is the lack of understanding of social cues (Autism Society of A merica). The person with autism may be taught how to communicate in social situations or respond to certain facial expressions and emotions.If the emphasis is on social communication, a speech therapist will work closely with the child to ensure proper communication in social situations. Auditory training is sometimes used for those individuals who are sensitive to sound. An audiologist plays a different variety of sound frequencies in this therapy. The frequencies coincide with the level of the childs impairment. Food allergies and sensitivities have been shown to produce a variety of symptoms associated with autism (Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities 1).It appears that children with autism benefit from diets that are free of gluten and casein. This is maybe because the inability to adequately process these substances can result in disorders such as postpartum psychosis, schizophrenia, and autism (Reichelt & Landmark, 1994). When these processes are not properly metabolized a misfortunate chain of amino acids results. They may become active, and behaviors associated with autism result. A small contribution of them will cross into the brain causing interference with the signals that account for normal activities.Also many vitamins and minerals have proven to be effective in treating certain behaviors in children with autism because they do not get enough indispensable nutrients. Many medications are being tested everyday to find a treatment for the symptoms of autism. Some drugs have been effective for such things as filet self-inflicted pain and other minor symptoms. None, though, have gotten to the source of the problem alike(p) the language deficits. Drug therapy is not one of the widely used treatments for autism because there are better methods that allow for more progress. There are equable many unanswered questions about autism and its treatments.Sometimes the symptoms can lessen or disappear as the child ages. The majority of people however, will stay put to show symptoms throughout their lives. There is not one sure treatment for every person with autism, since every person may have different symptoms. What works for one person may or may not work for another and it is imperative to talk with a doctor about what treatment option will work best with a certain combination of symptoms. Although this is a debilitating disorder, individuals who find the right treatment forge for themselves can lead a normal life.