Autism Essay
Autism is a life-long developmental disability that usually
appears in the first three years of a childs life. It
interferes with normal development of the brain, preventing
individuals with this rare disorder from understanding what they
hear, sense, and observe. Although this severe disability is
considered a childs disability, autism is found in adults,
interfering with normal social and emotional development. Anyone
can acquire autism; it is put in place at birth. Boys, however,
are more prone to it, as they are four times more affected.
In
describing the characteristics of autism, what causes autism and
how its being diagnosed, and treatment to help people with
autism we will discover that the life of an autistic individual
is a much more challenging one. An autistic individual lacks the
socialization skills needed to succeed in society.
Much like a normal individuals characteristics, an
autistic individuals characteristics can greatly vary.
Characteristics of autism could include any of the following.
Abnormal or severe delays in language. People suffering from
autism commonly have problems speaking.
Many of those who have
this symptom never speak at all. Some mumble, utter small words,
but they usually cannot have civilized conversation. Some may
repeat words they have heard on the television or on the radio
this is known as echolalia. Whatever the case may be, this
characteristic is found in most autistics. Another
characteristic is unusual movements. Many people with autism
tend to repeat the same movements, for example, rocking back and
fourth, twiddle their thumbs, twirl in circles and so on.
Most
beings with this symptom tend to be hyperactive and they are
constantly on the go. They move from one place to another for
what seems to be no reason at all. Many typically insist on
sameness. People with autism have a low tolerance for change in
their environment. Changes to their surroundings, their daily
routines could set an autistic into tantrums, or fear.
Unfortunately a common trait in autism is retardation.
More than
eighty percent of all individuals with autism are mentally
handicapped. Some do display special skills however, leading to
the next sign of autism. Special skills such as memorization of
long lists of numbers or names, the skill of being able to tell
what day of the week a date will fall in any year, these skills
can be seen in only a few autistics but is still a
characteristic. One of the most important signals that a person
has autism is social detachment and unresponsiveness. Many
autistic children wont smile, dont want to be picked up or
cuddled, usually dont want to play, will often stare off into
space as if they were in their own little world, are unaware of
things around them, and usually have little or no concern for
others. This characteristic is usually the most serious one.
Their insistence in not socializing makes it very difficult for
an autistic to fit in. Other symptoms may include negativism,
fascination with physical objects, insensitivity to pain,
impulsive behaviour, frequent crying and tantrums for no reason.
Knowing what causes autism and how it is being diagnosed
may help individuals understand the difficulties autistics face
when trying to socialize with the rest of the world. Right now
there is no known cause of autism. It has been linked however to
several other diseases. It has been linked to untreated rubella,
celiac disease and chemical exposures to pregnant women.
Diagnosis of this disability can be a difficult task as well.
There are no medical tests that can diagnose the disorder.
Doctors must observe the patient to determine whether their
behaviour patterns comply with those of autistic individuals.
This is the only way autism is diagnosed. Many children live
with autism for years not knowing it. Because of autisms
unknown cause and the difficult task of diagnosing it, parents
are unable to search for the treatment that their child may need
for proper socialization to take place.
Unfortunately like many disorders there is yet to be as
cure for autism. However there are many forms of treatment that
can be used to make autistics life a little easier.
There are six goals of treatment for children with autism.
Stopping the bizarre and inappropriate behaviour that
prevents a .
