Autism Research PaperAutism is a neurological disorder that was identified by Dr. Leo Kanner 50 years ago. Autism can affect someone very mildly or severally and it can effect language, communication, and/or gross motor skills. It is the most devastating disorder a child could have and it also is devastating for the family.
There is no medicine and no cure for autism but there are glutton free diets that help. People with autism can look normal but they lack communication skills and are withdrawn within there own world. Many people with autism usually have rituals or they do the same thing constantly which makes them need constant supervision from their parents or state agencies. Children with autism usually dont ever use creative or imaginative play.
They also need to be taught everything that they know. There is an estimated 400,000 autistic people in the U. S. from any ethnic or racial background. The social, emotional, and financial costs of autism to the family and to state or federal agencies is very high. Autism affects its victims in a wide variety of ways.
Some do well in special supportive environments, other are completely independent and function fairly well, and still others may never learn to talk or be able to work or live independently. It is common for an autistic person to avoid being touched because of a strong sense of touch. A light touch to most people may hurt an autistic person. Yet some autistic people are insensitive to pain and wont notice injuries. Hearing can-2-also be strong so that a noise that would not bother your ears, may hurt an autistic persons ears.
Autistic peoples vision can also be affected. They have trouble recognizing people. They can also have their eyes hurt by a bright light. I have worked 4 years in the autistic group in scamp which is a camp for special kids and I have noticed autistic people will often do strange things, like flapping their hands in front of their eyes, humming, spinning in circles, rocking back and forth, or repeating things. They do these things just for fun, or because they are excited or distressed.
Talking to oneself or giggling for no reason is often the result of daydreaming or remembering. Autism isnt just one disease but a category of diferent syndromes. Three of the most definable syndromes are Retts, Aspergers, and Landua-Kleffner. Retts syndrome is only found in females and most are retarded. This syndrome develops between the ages of six months to eighteen months. Retts begins with a normal state of development, then the victim stop progressing in skills such as speech, hand movements, and social skills, along with other signs of central nervous system dysfunction.
Females with Retts are most prone to having seizures. Aspergers syndrome is found in both males and females. After the first few years of life, victims will lose everything they have learned, but will eventually progress again. People with Aspergers appear to have more verbal and recognition skills. They-3-also sometimes show strong interest in subway, bus, and train schedules and maps.
Landua-Kleffner syndrome is also found in males and females. Victims with this disorder appear normal until between the ages of three to seven. They lose the ability to talk and show great social withdrawal. People with autism usually never marry but people with a mild case could possibly marry and have children.
Many autistic people receive help from family and relatives. In an autistic persons life, all he/she needs is love and understanding. Although they may seem dumb, many are very bright. Many have a higher IQ then what is usual. Autism can be a devastating disorder but to the affected individual, it is his/her normal world.Words/ Pages : 650 / 24
