Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper

UNDERSTANDING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Student Name

Program Name, Institution

COURSE CODE: Course Title

Instructor Name

Date

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complicated developmental disorder that manifests as continuous difficulties in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as restrictive and repetitive actions in children and young adults. Each individual ‘s experience with ASD and the intensity of their symptoms is unique (Lindor et al., 2019) Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper.

ORDER YOUR PAPER HERE

What are the signs & symptoms?

Symptoms of autism often emerge before a kid reaches the age of three. Some individuals exhibit symptoms from the time they are born.

The following are some of the most common symptoms of autism:

  • There is a distinct absence of eye contact.
  • A limited range of interests or a strong desire to learn more about a certain subject.
  • Making a repetitive activity, such as repeating phrases and words.
  • Highly sensitive to noises, sensations, scents, and sights that most people find innocuous or ordinary.
  • Not paying attention to or listening to other individuals.
  • Not looking at things when they are pointed out to them.
  • Not wanting to be hugged or cuddled in any way.
  • Speech, gestures, body language, and tone of voice are difficult to comprehend.
  • Speaking with a monotone, flat, or robotic tone of voice.
  • Having difficulty adjusting to changes in routine.

Differential Diagnoses

ASD often develops in conjunction with other conditions. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to have mental comorbidities, which often include attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and depression. Anxiety disorders are one of the most frequent comorbid conditions among people with autism spectrum disorders (Brian et al., 2019)Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper.

Incidence

Autism is estimated to affect one in every 54 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Boys are four times more likely than females to be affected by this condition.

Development and Course

Autism is a complex developmental condition that is primarily defined by deficits in three domains:

(1) communication/language;

(2) social interaction; and

(3) odd behavior.

Infancy is a challenging time to diagnose since the usual symptomatology does not yet manifest itself totally and completely.

Prognosis

Patient’s IQ has a significant impact on their prognosis when it comes to autism. Patients with low functioning may never be able to be independent; they will most likely require home or residential care for the longest time possible. Patients with high levels of functioning may be able to live independently, have down full-time careers, and even marry and have kids (Al-Dewik, 2020)Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper.

Considerations Related to Culture, Gender, Age

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a mental condition that affects individuals of different ages, races, genders, sizes, cultures, and ethnicities. In daily life, different cultural variables may have an impact on how people experience autism. This can have an impact on their relationships with family, community members, schools, and healthcare providers. The way autism is perceived, perceived, and accepted in various groups may be influenced by cultural variables as well. It is possible that cultural misconceptions about autism and other disorders may discourage individuals from seeking assistance. Information that may be beneficial to one person may be too much, too little, or even confusing for another person, depending on their needs. Even within the same ethnic group, there may be significant cultural variations owing to variables such as the place of origin and the length of time spent in the US Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper.

Pharmacological Treatments

Different classes of pharmacological agents have been found to be effective in alleviating the behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (rivastigmine), atypical antipsychotics (clozapine), anticonvulsants (lamotrigine), and tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine).

The most common side effects of these medications include irritability, mood disturbance, sleep disturbance, nausea and diarrhea.

Non-pharmacological Treatments

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA), occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy are some of the most efficient non-pharmacological therapies currently available, according to research. These interventions are designed to reduce the negative effect of the underpinning characteristics and related impairments of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) while simultaneously enhancing functional independence and quality of life.

Diagnostics and Labs

A conclusive laboratory test for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) does not exist at this time; nevertheless, ongoing research is being conducted to identify “biomarkers,” such as neuroimaging tests and genetic testing, as well as variations in electroencephalograms (EEGs) and neuroimaging tests Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have significant ethical, legal, and social obligations to them. These obligations fall on three groups of caregivers: (1) family members and advocates of persons with autism spectrum disorder; (2) health-care and other practitioners; and (3) government bodies. Every group may have a distinct perspective on the diagnostic criteria for autism/ASD, screening, testing, and the efficacy of various treatments, among other things (Graf et al., 2017). All agree that early diagnosis is desired, but others argue that earlier diagnosis is not always better, either ethically or practically (Graf et al., 2017). Because of the unclear scientific validity and limited therapeutic value of genetic screening in mild ASD, the increasing usage of genetic testing in mild ASD raises ethical concerns. Persons with autism have a variety of requirements, but they all want to be accepted and believe that they deserve better amenities. In order to ensure an equitable distribution of suitable special education and supporting services, governments must work hard.

ORDER HERE

Patient Education Considerations

Individuals with developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, are particularly susceptible to sexual abuse, with the most seriously impaired being at the greatest risk of exploitation and abuse. Parents or caregivers have to be informed of the heightened danger their children are facing (Kenny, Crocco & Long, 2020). Furthermore, children with autism spectrum disorder must be taught to identify signs of imminent sexual abuse and to devise courses of action to prevent it from occurring.

Departure from home, school, and other secure settings was seen in almost half of the children with autism spectrum disorders in a study of more than 1000 children. Parents of autistic children ought to be informed that there is a good possibility that their kid, without notice, may wander away from home or school to travel to a place where there is a potential for possible harm. Moreover, parents should be encouraged to suggest that teachers and other guardians keep a close eye on their children in order to prevent them from eloping Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper.

References

Al-Dewik, N. I. (2020). Risk factors diagnosis prognosis and treatment of autism. Frontiers in Bioscience, 25(9), 1682-1717. https://doi.org/10.2741/4873

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Brian, J. A., Zwaigenbaum, L., & Ip, A. (2019). Standards of diagnostic assessment for autism spectrum disorder. Paediatrics & Child Health, 24(7), 444-451. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxz117

Graf, W. D., Miller, G., Epstein, L. G., & Rapin, I. (2017). The autism “epidemic”: ethical, legal, and social issues in a developmental spectrum disorder. Neurology, 88(14), 1371-1380. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000003791

Kenny, M. C., Crocco, C., & Long, H. (2020). Parents’ plans to communicate about sexuality and child sexual abuse with their children with autism spectrum disorder. Sexuality and Disability, 39(2), 357-375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09636-1

Lindor, E., Sivaratnam, C., May, T., Stefanac, N., Howells, K., & Rinehart, N. (2019). Problem behavior in autism spectrum disorder: Considering core symptom severity and accompanying sleep disturbance. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00487 Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay Example Paper