Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

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.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of conditions of the brain development. (Vries, 2015). The main characteristic of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is that they have difficulties to adapt and interact with other people. Also, individuals with Autism have problems with their development of verbal and nonverbal communication. They show a repetitive behavior that is usually recognized during the first three years of life. Approximately one of sixty eight children are affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States. (Vries, 2015).

Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities with lifelong effects for the person. They are characterized by the repetitive behaviors exhibited by the client with social and communication deficits as well. Clients with ASDs have unusual abilities to learn, they struggle with paying attention and may react inappropriately with extreme tantrums to different sensations. ASDs include and are not limited to autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, atypical autism and Asperger disorder. Research of autism has been tracked by the Centers of Disease Control for prevalence since 1996, however tracking of developmental disabilities began in the 1980s.

“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) formerly known as just Autism, is a disorder that affects about 1 in 68 children here in the United States.” (Facts about ASD) This is a pretty high prevalence and the number is continuing to rise. “Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant impairments in behavioral, communication, and social aspects of everyday life.”(Facts about ASD). The intellectual functioning of individuals with ASD is among one of the biggest of all disabilities. The range can occur from moderate intellectual disabilities all the way up to super genius levels. However, most students function at average intelligence in all academic areas except for reading and math. The reason the name switch form Autism to ASD occurred is that now according to the DSM-V Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are now disabilities that fall into the spectrum that is ASD. Diagnosis of Autism can be determined at age 2 with high reliability, but is not often discovered until the individual reaches school age and begins to fall behind their peers. It is critical that a parent goes and gets their child screened for developmental disabilities at the doctor at least every 9 months during their few first years of life, so that if they do have a disability early intervention strategies can be employed. ASD occurs in every racial and ethnic group,

Autism disorder spectrum (ASD) consists of many different Autistic disorders. ASD can hinder intellectual abilities, motor coordination, attention capabilities and sleep disorders. However visual, musical and academic skills are heightened. Autistic individuals are characterized by their brain structure and shape, their dependence on others, communication challenges, social interaction difficulties and their repetitive actions. E.g. hand flapping, rocking, jumping etc.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a “developmental disability that cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges” (Autism, 2015a). The word “spectrum” refers to “a wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of impairment or disability that children with ASD can have” (Autism, 2015b). ASD is “not a single disorder, but a spectrum of closely related disorders with shared core of symptoms”. These disorders include: Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett Syndrome (Smith, 2015). One in sixty-eight children in the United States are affected by this disorder (Autism, 2015c). ASD is a little different from the many other mental disorders. It does not affect all children exactly the

Family members may be heavily impacted by an individual 's behavior with ASD. Many studies have shown that while stress from parenting a child on the spectrum impacts both parents, it often has a greater impact on mothers than fathers. The main cause of stress for mothers was the challenging behavior of the child. ASD children have more outbursts than other developmentally delayed children, according to mothers. The extra stress could be attributed to stress of extra care of these children leaving less time for fun activities. (Johnson & Simpson, 2013). “Parents, primarily mothers, of individuals with ASD reported significantly more stress and lower levels of well-being than both parents of children without

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a life long brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate with others. This disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication. Researches have found that all autism disorders were merged into one diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger syndrome were recently recognized as distinct subtypes of ASD. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention, and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbance. Putting aside the negative effects of autism,

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication together with demonstration of restricted, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior and interests (American Psychiatric Association; APA, 1994). Delay in numerous different skills such as cognition, social, motor, play and adaptation are prevalent among many children with ASD. (reference)

III. Efficacy of an Intervention to Enhance Reading Comprehension of Students With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

The following directive was developed as part of ongoing individual art therapy for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) attending a Jewish culture school. Students at the school range between three and eleven, and are classified as being either pre-school aged or school aged. Students are separated in their classes, based on level of functioning, as well as age. Each student has an individualized education plan (IEP) that specifies any extra therapies they receive, including occupational, speech, and physical therapy. Art therapy is not included on the IEP, but is available to all students. These therapies are used in tandem with a full day of Applied Behavioral Therapy (ABA). The students participate in group art therapy once a week in their classrooms. All students over the age of five, within the school-aged group, have individual art therapy sessions at least once a week. There are some students who are seen twice a week if approved by the head art therapist.

There is a little boy that gets up every morning and goes to school. He goes home to his parents after school each day. He eats, sleeps, and plays just like any other child. There is one difference. He sees the world in a unique way than most other children not affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The boy’s life and actions are a bit different and can be challenging for him. He needs understanding parents, family members, and teachers. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be a challenge for the little boy as well as those he interacts with in everyday life.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined in the DSM-V as a disorder that has impairments in all three areas of social communication (DSM-V, 2013). Social deficits is a major component to anyone diagnosed with ASD, because of this there is a

Child and parent bond is a very important. A parent will always be part of their child or children lives. When time goes by as children get older and move on with their own lives, parents become less involved. When other parents have to be involved with their children lives more than usual because the child needs more attention and more support. How do parents do it and what does the child gain through the whole process of the parent being involved. Also, how does the child build a comfortable relationship with the parents, or with only one parent? Does the bond with the parent last a period of time or does it break at a certain time of the child life?

Scientifically, autism and autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, are commonly used names for difficult disorders that have to do with brain development. Disorders like these are grouped by someone’s difficulty in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and nonverbal communication. To the people who are diagnosed with this disorder and the families it affects; it is so much more than just science.