Depth Look At Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental disorders that impair social skills, behavior, and communication (Center for Disease Control). ASDs are considered ‘spectrum’ disorders because each patient has a unique experience in the nature and severity of their symptoms (Center for Disease Control). Under the umbrella of ASDs, there are three types of disorders, including Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Center for Disease Control). Autistic disorder is the most severe of the three, and patients exhibit significant problems with language, communication, and behavior (Center for Disease Control). Furthermore, people with Autistic disorder often have some intellectual impairment (Center for Disease Control). Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autistic disorder where patients have some developmental delays, but their language and intellect are not affected (Center for Disease Control). The mildest of the ASDs is the pervasive developmental disorder. These patients usually don’t meet all of the criteria for autistic disorder, but do show some signs of social and communication problems (Center for Disease Control). The number of children diagnosed with ASD is growing, and currently 1 in 88 children fall somewhere on the spectrum (Mari-Bauset et al., 2013). Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and while the exact cause of these disorders is unknown, both genetic and

Autism is one of the most common disorders among children in the United States. Autism affects 1 in 68 children (Center for Disease Control, 2014). By comparison, this is more children than are affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome – combined (Autism Speaks, 2012). Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls. This disorder typically appears during the first three years of life.

Autism is the main form of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism is a developmental disorder that is manifested in problems with communication, impairment of social functioning, and repetitive behaviours. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), ASD diagnoses must meet four different areas of criteria. There are three symptoms of "deficits in social communication and interaction across contexts," four symptoms of "restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities," "symptoms must be present in early childhood," and the symptoms must "together limit and impair everyday functioning" (Carpenter, 2013). There are many theoretical positions on the causes of autism spectrum disorders. Some of which have been discounted by empirical studies that have been researched and performed.

With the rate of autism being diagnosed on the rise, the amount of research and interest in the disorder has risen as well. Some research suggests that over the past two decades the occurrence of autism has increased from approximately 2-5 per 10,000 births to about 1-5 per 1,000 births (Acosta & Pearl, 2004; Fatemi et al., 2012). Still others report that the occurrence is as high as 1 in 150 kids (Amaral, Schumann, & Nordhal, 2008). Even though the spectrum of autistic disorders has been studied since 1943, there have still not been any consistent nor persuasive causes or markers, either biological or clinical, identified with autism and its range of disorders (Santangelo & Tsatsanis, 2005). In fact, even with all of the advancements in genetic research technology and the increasing interest in autism, researchers can still only account for approximately 5-15% of autistic cases (Rogers et al., 2013).

Every year one in 68 Americans is diagnosed with autism. There are more than 3.5 million Americans living with an autism spectrum disorder (Autism Society), which makes it the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States, hence the significant amount of studies being done to explore its characteristics and find solutions. Autism, also known as ASD, is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is categorized by dysfunctions in social situations, communications, constrained interests, and repetitive stereotypic behaviors (Siniscalco et al). These behaviors can range from mild to very severe, and may be accompanied with other disorders. Autism can be diagnosed during early childhood, while symptoms begin to show during the first

Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as a neurodevelopmental condition that is classified by a triad of impairments. These impairments are in communication, socialization, and repetitive patterns of behavior (Wolf, 2004). Autism affects about 1% of the current population (Shishido, Branko, & Norio, 2013). This disorder seems like a common diagnosis in the current day in age but the disorder was only discovered around sixty years ago. The two founding researchers that discovered the disorder are Kanner and Asperger. Since then there has been a significant amount of research on the disorder and they have narrowed down the criteria associated with Autism. Since the discovery of Autism Spectrum Disorder, there has been many debates on what causes this condition. When it was, a recent discovery scientist thought it could have been caused by many factors including psychological conditions and poor parenting. Now research has shifted in another direction (Wolf, 2004). In recent years, there has been a debate if childhood vaccinations or genetic mutations cause the disorder. This debate has led many parents to stop vaccinating their children in case it does cause the disorder. In 2010 (de los Reyes) the immunization rates fell to 80%. These parents’ decisions greatly effects the nation’s public health so it has fueled even more research to find the cause. A very common vaccine that has been said to cause the disorder is the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine or the MMR vaccine. This

Autism, also referred to as autistic disorder, is a childhood disintegrative disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are terms used for a group of disorders of brain development, with symptoms that some times appear during the first three years of childhood and progress throughout life. These disorders are categorized in different degrees, by difficulties in social interaction (verbal and nonverbal communication), and by repetitive behaviors. Autism is an extremely incapacitating developmental disorder. Autism has been recognized as distinct subtypes including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger syndrome. Now all autism disorders

Autism is a word that every modern parent is aware, and even afraid of. This word autism, however, has become common quite recently. It first appeared in 1943-1944 when Leo Kanner in Baltimore and Hans Asperger in Vienna, published articles describing a childhood disorder named “autism”. They actually borrowed this term from Kraepelin and Bleuler, who used it to “describe the escape from reality and withdrawal seen in schizophrenia” (Catherine and Frédérique 2431-2443). Now the term “autism spectrum disorder”(ASD) refers to a “condition of early childhood characterized by multiple impairments in socialization and communication, as well as unusual interests and repetitive behavior”(Lawrence and Karen 51-53). According to Dr.Jose Cordero, director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, autism has become an “urgent public health issue”(Caroline). It is a global phenomenon occurring in industrialized countries. Statistics shows a huge increase of autism in children: in 2000 every one in 150 children was autistic compared to one in 68 now(Alice). The most well known causes of autism are the use of vaccines, the increasing age of parents, and genetically modified foods. In addition, most researchers now believe that autism is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental triggers and possibly the use of

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as restrictive, repetitive interests and behaviors.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental and neurological condition that affects individuals in the areas of social communication and social interaction, and it is also characterized by the presence of repetitive behaviors and language difficulties. Other characteristics include delays in reasoning and self help skills (Smith, 2011) p. 1037). Individuals with ASD vary widely in level of intelligence and may also exhibit other co-existing conditions such as intellectual disability, depression, and phobias (Nozomi, 2009). The disorder begins in early childhood, but is usually not diagnosed prior to the age of two to five years old or when a child enters school. In 2013, the Center for Disease Control reported that there was a major

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges, and repetitive behavior. ASD begins in early childhood and can become a chronic disorder leading into adolescence and adulthood. ASD is comorbid with other disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and epilepsy. Siniscaleo et al. (2013) mention that children with ASD have a 50-70% of being intellectually disabled based on nonverbal IQ testing and can lead to a high risk of developing seizures. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulties with social, emotional, and communicational skills (CDC, 2016). The CDC (2016) mention some signs and symptoms of ASD including

In recent years, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased greatly (Nevison 2014). For example, in 2000 the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network estimated about 1 in 150 children had ASD. Six years later in 2006, the prevalence increased to about 1 in every 110 children and then most recently in 2012 to 1 in 68 children. According to the CDC (2008) autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. With the growing prevalence of autism, the society has been impacted in several ways. For example, the its prevalence has allowed for increases in advocacy, data collection and overall greater acceptance and understanding for autism spectrum disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), also referred to as autism, is defined as “a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child 's ability to communicate and interact with others. It also includes restricted repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. These issues cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now defined by the American Psychiatric Association 's Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a single disorder that includes disorders that were previously considered separate — autism, Asperger 's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.” (DSM-5) Autism is

Autism Spectrum Disorder, more commonly known as Autism, is a prevalent developmental disorder that has grown to a major extent recently in the United States, UK, Japan and Europe as well (Landrigan 219). According to an article written in 2014 by Chris Bateman, 1 in every 50 children aged 6-17 in the United States are diagnosed with autism, compared to decades ago where it wasn’t nearly anywhere close to that (Bateman 1). As autism continues to grow, it is important that we learn about the different aspects, the classification, different therapies and the disorder itself so we understand how to interact better with people who have the disorder.

ASD and Autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development (What Is Autism, n.d.). Prior to 2013, patients could be diagnosed under Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) merged all Autism Disorders under one umbrella termed ASD so that it will improve the diagnosis of ASD without limiting the sensitivity of the criteria or substantially changing the number of children being diagnosed. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).