Autism

Research Paper # 97317

Child, Youth Issues
Education > Special
Medical and Health > Medical Studies

Autism

This paper provides a detailed discussion of autism.

2,237 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the subject of autism. The writer describes, in detail, how autism affects all areas of a person's life from the moment they are born all the way into adulthood. The writer explains that autism means living in terms of the self. The writer further explains that, to a spectator, a child in a condition of autism emerges to be self-centered while he shows little response to the outside world. In reality, however, the child in such a state has little awareness of being a 'self'. The writer concludes that the design of truly individual treatment plans that use strengths and compensate for weaknesses starts with a thorough understanding of how learning is different for children with autism from those without autism and how learning is different among different children with autism.

Outline:
The Autism of Early Infancy
The Autism Associated with Psychosis
Autism as a Learning Disability
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"This is a normal condition. There is little responsiveness of the outside world as such, which is experienced in the mode of the infant's bodily organs, processes and zones. A normal infant emerges from this state due to an innate disposition to recognize patterns, similarities, repetitions and continuities. These are the raw materials for such mental processes as recognition, classification, object creation and understanding. Through these processes, the child builds an inner representation of usually agreed reality and turns out to be self-conscious. The study of children who have failed to emerge adequately from the state of normal primary autism brings home to us the intricacy and delicacy of the time-consuming process of becoming aware of the world and its objects, persons and other minds."

Sample of Sources Used:

Filipek, P. A., Accardo, P. J., Baranek, G. T, Cook, E. H., Jr., Dawson, G., Gordon, B., et al. (1999). The screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 29(6), 439-484.
Gerlach, Elizabeth K (1996). Autism treatment guide.
Hollander, E., Dolgoff-Kaspar, R, Cartwright, C., Rawitt, R, & Novotny, S. (2001). An open trial of divalproex sodium in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 62(7), 530-534.
Ingersoll, B., Schreibman, L., & Stahmer, A. (2001). Brief report: Differential treatment outcomes for children with autistic spectrum disorder based on level of peer social avoidance. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 31(3), 343-349.
Iovannone, R., Dunlap, G., Huber, H., & Kincaid, D. (2003). Effective educational practices for students with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on autism & other developmental disabilities, 18(3), 150-166.