The Changing Face of Autism

Paper Summary:

This paper presents an overview of the historical views of autism, theories of possible causes, treatments and the expanded definition that has arisen through more recent research. It also presents the current theories on cause, treatment and symptoms of autism. The paper explores the possibility of a spectrum of autism disorders and discusses the debate regarding whether Asperger's Syndrome is an autistic disorder or something else entirely.

From the Paper:

"The understanding of autism has come a long way since its description in 1943 by Leo Kanner, but there is still a long way to go before it is fully understood. This is more important than ever as autism spectrum disorders are the fastest growing developmental disability category in the United States (Zager 2005). Our wellbeing as a country, and the world over depends on our ability to find the cause or causes of this spectrum of disorders. At the very least we need to develop more effect therapy options for autistic individuals that will give them the support they need rather than more rout memorization of "do this when you hear that" or "this face means this." Research that looks at the individual as an individual rather than as a subnormal being is necessary or we cannot make the much-needed advances in understanding of just how the autistic mind works."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Psychiatric Association. (1980). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Author.
• Bauman, M. L. (1991). Microscopic neuroanatomic abnormalities in autism. Pediatrics, 87, 791-796.
• Bellini, S. (2006). The development of social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21, 138-145.
• Furneaux, B., & Roberts, B. (Eds.). (1977). Autistic children: Teaching, community and research approaches. Boston: Routledge &Kegan Paul.
• Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217-250.

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