Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study

The first three years of a child’s life is the most important and central time for the brain’s development. Autism is a disorder that can be diagnosed during the infant or toddler stage. Children can be diagnosed with autism by having different impairments such as social interaction, pattern of behavior, eye contact and speech impairment. Having the child being diagnosed with ASD can change a parent’s life view. Parents can learn different things in order to help their child. Parents will be provided by health providers different treatment, different placement in education and knowing about the different risk factor to make a difference for their autistic child now and in the future.

Today, we are seeing a rising increase in the occurrence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. What once used to be a rare disorder is now commonly recognized in the medical field as well as in the community. Not only is autism a health issue in itself, but many health issues come along with the disorder. This paper will discuss the description of the population, the top health issues and their relevance, and interventions and outcomes that can help reduce these health issues in this specific population.

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.

Screening tools used by these professionals would support early recognition and referral of children with questionable development. Therefore, when nurses carry out routine well-child visits, they should consider a critical opportunity to obtain developmental information which help in the identification of children with developmental delays such as autism. These children, if treated as early as possible with the best interventions available, will have a better life with academic achievement, higher IQ, better job opportunities, decrease criminal history, etc. Furthermore, nurses are educators and have the responsibility in helping parents to understand the developmental milestones and inform them of the available community resources to support families with an autistic child. Education is important because parents have the responsibility to help and teach their child affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders

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.

When it comes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many people don't understand what the disability is or how children who suffer from ASD live their everyday lives. “Autism is a serious nuerodevelopmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact.” (Psychology Today, 2015). Usually, autism is diagnosed in children from as early as the age of 2 and symptoms can impact individuals throughout their lifespan. Common symptoms of autism include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing information from the senses, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Anxiety is also common among children with ASD, and parents of children with ASD are more likely

This article instructs pediatric nurses on how to deal with patients with autism. The first part of the article discusses what autism is and what the nurse is to expect when dealing with a patient with ASD. The second part gives suggestions to the nurses about how to communicate with a patient with ASD. When communicating, the nurses need to use visuals as much as possible, slow their speech so the child can understand, break down explanations to the child, allow the child time to process, and use concrete language with the child (Brown & Elder, 2014). When receiving the information, the nurses are to wait patiently for a response, and listen to the words and watch for behaviors that may be an attempt for the child to communicate (Brown

Numerous studies have been conducted on the diagnostic features and potential definitions of autism, and the accompanying developmental, social and behavioral deficits found in individuals diagnosed with autism. The various editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) have changed in their definitions and diagnostic criteria of autism over time. In past editions, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder were listed as separate disorders. However, in the DSM-5, which is the current edition of the DSM, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name of the disorder that encompasses the diagnostic features and definitions of those three neurodevelopmental disorders. Individuals previously diagnosed with any of those three disorders are now to be given the diagnosis of ASD. The definition and diagnostic criteria of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders have changed so much over time because screening and diagnosing autism is very difficult for a number of reasons, which will be more thoroughly discussed in this paper. This paper will examine the diagnostic criteria, prevalence and risk factors, most effective forms of treatment and intervention, and life impacts on individuals and families of Autism Spectrum Disorder through the review of the DSM-5 and several peer-reviewed journal articles.

Over the years, more people are becoming aware of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD. The growing number of individuals who are affected by ASD have been increasing over the years. This could be do to the new DSM development of what is considered ASD or simply more children are being born with ASD. Either way, ASD is more predominate in our society today. ASD is defined in the DSM 5 as having abnormal social aspects, lack of social skills, non-verbal communications skills, deficits in development, lack of understanding of relationships, and self-stimulation through repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Although these are not all of the symptoms caused by ASD

Considering the spectrum is so large and diverse, doctors and nurses cannot necessarily understand each reaction that may occur when caring for a patient with ASD. Although, this wide range of reactions can be overwhelming for a doctor or nurse to handle, the issues that arise still need to be addressed as people with autism are still people and they need care just as anyone

When an affected child is around two to three years old, obvious signs of autism begin to appear (What is Autism?). Autism diagnosis requires symptoms from each of three categories. Most children with autism have abnormal social interaction. They may lack eye contact with others, fail to seek comfort, and not understand how to behave in social situations (Rodier). Because of this, affected children may feel lonely and not have many friends, as they don’t know how to act around their peers. The second category of symptoms is abnormal communication. Most children with autism have late language development and some never speak at all. If children are fluent speakers, they may talk endlessly about one topic. Affected people often use and take words in a very literal way (Rodier). Because of their abnormal communication, autistic children may have trouble participating in classroom settings. Later in life, they can have difficulties finding work. The third category used to diagnose autism is restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors. Many children with autism appear to have only one interest and they spend their time devoted to that interest. Many also have repetitive movements such as rocking back and forth and flapping their hands. “Children with autism often insist on sameness. They become distressed by changes in their environment or routine,” (Rodier). Other symptoms may include unprovoked tantrums and insensitivity to pain. Another common symptom is seizures, which one out of every four autistic children develops (Autism). All of these traits are common symptoms of autism which differ them from ‘normal’

Autism Spectrum Disorder also known as ASD is a Neurological Disorder affecting about 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls in the United States. The Government has said that the Autism rate has increased a 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. ASD is a Disease that has such a big effect on a kid’s life, the family, and everyone around them. A Child diagnosed with autism will have to everyday struggle to deal with normal life situations like communication and social skills that normal toddlers are able to pick up naturally. There are three main types of ASD’s: Autistic disorder which is also called “Classic” Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Persuasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified short for PDD-NOS also called

Autism disorder is one of a group of disorders that arise due to an abnormality in the development of the brain of a child. The growth of the brain of a child with autism is abnormal while still in the mother’s womb. That is why early in childhood, their brains grow abnormally faster and larger as compared with brains of normal children. However, the reverse happens later in life. At this time, the brains of normal children grow bigger and better organized whereas the growth of the brains of children with autism slows down. The group name is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The word “spectrum” is included because each child affected suffers from the disorder in a different manner. Research has shown that the different types of autism include: autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. Autism can be recognised from the difficulty the child experiences in developing social skills like forming relationships, in talking skills and in non verbal communications skills as well as in doing things in a repetitive manner. Autism can also be linked with intellectual disability as well as difficulties in motor coordination or reflexes. It is also possible to link autism disorder with attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation. Some people with a specific type of ASD called

Clinical Features & Symptoms: The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a wide range of symptoms, including difficulty with social interaction and communication skills, as well as unusually repetitive behavior. According to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), individuals with ASD have a tendency to respond inappropriately in conversation and lack the ability to build relationships (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). They often engage in a series of abnormal routines and develop inappropriate obsessions with particular items. Individuals with ASD also display a wide variety of cognitive functioning, ranging from severe intellectual disability to superior intelligence (Fakhoury, 2015). Individuals with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as responding inappropriately in conversations, misreading nonverbal interactions and having difficulty building friendships appropriate to their age. In addition, people with ASD tend to be overly dependent on routines, highly sensitive to changes in their environment and intensely focused on inappropriate items (Fakhoury, 2015). The symptoms of ASD are classified into two broad categories: core symptoms and secondary symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The core symptoms consist of reduced language skills and social interaction, as well as the presence of repetitive and stereotypic behaviors. Secondary symptoms include complications such as self-injury,

Autism spectrum disorder is not a single disorder, it comprises of a very diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders. According to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder 5th edition (DSM-V), diagnosis of ASDs includes three main deficits which are; having difficulties with social interaction and communication and deficit in behaviour, for example individual with ASD tend to repeat the same behaviour and they tend to be preoccupied. Under the DSM- V ASD consist of Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and childhood disintegrative. This essay will discuss the Etiology and prevalence of ASD as well as the treatments and interventions for ASD. Research study findings will be used as evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments for ASD. Finally this essay will briefly consider some limitations of these treatments.