Abstract This paper describes the major impairment areas of autism, and the symptoms of each. It then evaluates the effectiveness of treatments used in treating autism in general, through a literature review of 15 different source materials.
Outline
Characteristics of Autism Impairments
Diagnosis of Autism Etiology of Autism Psychodynamic Explanations
Candida Infection
MMR Vaccination
Current Scientific Findings
Treatments for Autism: Questionable Theories
Sensory-Motor Therapies
Psychotherapies
Biological Treatments
Promising Treatments for Autism Applied Behavior Analysis
Pharmacotherapy
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Auditory Integration Training (AIT) involves listening to filtered, modulated music that presents sounds of differing pitches and volumes. AIT is typically administered in two daily half an hour sessions for a ten day period. The theory is that a major factor in the behavioral problems with individuals with autism is that they have hypersensitive hearing. The idea is that the individual adjusts to the sounds he or she hears in therapy so they become more 'normal.' Arguers for AIT claim that the benefits include improved comprehension, memory, eye contact, appropriate social behavior, willingness to interact with others, and responsibility in school (Berard, 1993)."
Abstract This paper presents an overview and discussion of Shirley Cohen's book, "Targeting Autism: What We Know, Don't Know and Can Do to Help Young Children With Autism and Related Disorders". The paper focuses on areas most relevant to educators and includes an overall review of the book. The paper contends that Cohen's book is a comprehensive and objective examination of the key areas of autism.
From the Paper "Shirley Cohen's "Targeting Autism: What We Know Don't Know and Can Do to Help Young Children with Autism and Related Disorders" offers comprehensive and objective examination of the key areas of autism. The subsequent review of this book will thus offer a concise overview of the book with a special focus on specific areas that can be highly useful to educators. Furthermore the impact of the book on my views as an educator will also be presented. Divided into three parts this book first introduces readers to..."
Tags: Book review: Targeting Autism: What We Know, Don't Know, and Can Do to Help Young Children With Autism and Related Disorders By Shirley Cohen
Abstract This paper summarizes the research on diagnosing autism. The paper addresses assessment and the use of the DSM-IV for autism diagnosis. The paper also studies difficulties with diagnosis and differential diagnosis, including the need for a multiple axial diagnosis. The paper concludes that parent-pediatrician partnerships are critical to making an early autism diagnosis.
Abstract This paper focuses on several aspects of autism and communication. It explains that, in order to fully understand the disorder, one must learn about the disorder, how common it is, how it affects development, how it affects learning, what treatments are available, and what effects it has on the family as a whole. After understanding these details about autism, those who work with those who have the disorder are better equipped to make the greatest impact.
From the Paper "The developmental disorder, Autism is a complicated disorder and can become very confusing to those who have incorrect information or simply do not have the basic facts. Autism is commonly referred to as a "spectrum disorder" or "Pervasive Developmental Disorder" (PDD). The disorders that are classified under this spectrum include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. The word "spectrum" is used due to the severe differences of symptoms and function levels. Those with a spectrum disorder can have any combination of symptoms with varying levels of the symptoms. The development disorders defined under the PDD category, while all having a separate diagnosis, often times it can be extremely difficult to clearly determine one's diagnosis within the spectrum."
Abstract This paper argues that behavioral analysis is one of the most effective treatments for autism. The paper begins by examining the childhood disorder of autism, and the behavior and social skills of autistic children. The paper then explains behavioral analysis and describes how it is effectively used to treat autistic children.
From the Paper "Autism is one of the most severe and disruptive of all childhood disorders -- a level of disruption that of course lasts well into adulthood. With both genetic and environmental elements at work in it autism, which affects boys at least three times more often than girls..."
Abstract This junior level paper describes what autism is and how it affects the child psychologically from infancy up until it is 5 to 6 years of age.
Tags: EDUCATION / SPECIAL NEEDS IN THE CLASSROOM, autism, developing child
Abstract This paper discusses Autism, a syndrome in which people exhibit certain identifiable behavioral traits. According to this paper, these symptoms may begin at birth, or they may develop while the child is still a toddler. This paper refers to examples whereby some autistic infants will arch their backs in an effort to avoid contact with their caregivers, and other children may appear normal at first, but begin to show differences later.
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that advances in psychopharmacology have helped in the early detection and treatment of autism in young children. The writer points out that some forms of psychopharmacological treatment have yielded substantial reductions in the impact of the symptoms upon the afflicted person, thus better enabling the autistic person to more fully engage in a normal lifestyle. This paper surveys articles from 2000 to the present day and demonstrates the impact that various forms of psychopharmacology have had upon the autistic person, with an emphasis on the mechanical actions of the drug on the brain.
From the Paper "Autism is a developmental disorder that is characterized by abnormal neurological functioning during early childhood and results in abnormal communication processes and social development. The autistic individual tends to manifest the disorder between ages one to five, with the most serious cases detected prior to age three. Autism is a lifelong condition that can negatively impact the likelihood that the affected individual will be able to live a normal life unimpeded by the disorder or its symptoms. "
Abstract This paper discusses autism, a spectrum disorder that is characterized by the broad array of symptoms and developmental possibilities reflected in those who suffer from it. The author defines autism and discusses diagnostic conditions for this disorder. The paper also touches on the different subcategories of autism, such as Asperger's Syndrome and Rett's Disorder and discusses the distinctions between autism and autism spectrum disorders. In addition, the author discusses theories relating to the presence of autism and neurological methods are used to locate and identify the presence of autism.
Outline:
Part 1 - Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD and Related Conditions
ASD, AS and HFA
Part 2--Broader Phenotype in Autism Part 3: Autism And The 2nd To 4th Digit Ratio
Part 4 - Perception Of Biological Motion Of Faces In Autism Part 5 - Structural Brain Imaging In Autism Works Cited
From the Paper "The characteristics which define the severely handicapping neurological condition, autism, vary from one sufferer to the next. As stated in the above examination of its condition, the diagnosis and treatment of autism will vary considerably based on the severity and permutation of the conditions present in the subjected individual. Moreover, autism itself is deeply shrouded in mystery. There are a great many competing and complimentary theories relating to the presence of autism which suggest its causes may be some combination or diversity of factors causing the deleterious genetic mutation preventing proper neurological development."
Abstract 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."
Tags: disorder, disabilities, response, outside, world
Abstract This paper explains that autism is a brain disorder, which generates poor growth of language and social capabilities and can entail mental handicap, seizures or mental disorders. Only about one third of children diagnosed with autism will be able to attain some degree of self-sufficient living as adults. The author points out that early findings from some studies have revealed people with autism have unreliable signaling molecules in the brain, inclusive of serotonin;, however, no particular biological markers have been detected and etiologically based treatment or intervention has not been fostered to cure individuals with autistic disorder. The paper concludes that, more than ever before, people with autism can be assisted through a combination of early intervention strategies such as special education, family support and, in some cases, medication to enable an enhanced numbers of children with autism to live more normal lives.
Table of Contents
Introduction
History and Current Trends of Autism Characteristics of the Population
Review of Literature
Recommendations and Applications to the Field of Rehabilitation
How Autism Affects Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
Medical Aspects of Autism Autism and How It Affects Independent Living Situations
From the Paper "To illustrate, Duchan and Palermo defined autism in terms of thematization disorder. Thematization is regarded as the cognitive capability to think representatively; thematization accords meaning to images, movement and speech. While such ability is disabled, the individual has a hard time in becoming aware of the events, sequencing, or perceiving order. During 1982 Dunchan and Palermo considered that individual with autism generate meaning in modes that differ from those in absence of autism. To illustrate, rhythmic, self-stimulatory attitudes may have a temporal regulatory function, assisting people to keep pace with time. In this manner preservation could indicate problematic varying themes; uncommon application of language like pronoun reversal and metaphorical speech."
Abstract The paper reviews and discusses autism. According to the paper, autism typically appears during the first three years of a child's life, and can be attributed to a neurological disorder that affects the normal functions of the brain. The paper goes on to discuss how individuals with autism will show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication and social interactions.
Background: Autism What is Autism?
History of Autism, including research done in an effort to understand Autistic.
Characteristics of a child with Autism Background: Communication
Communication definition, methods, history.
Importance of communication to human life.
Analysis of the effects of Autism on communication.
Development of a normal child with regard to communication.
Development of an Autistic child with regard to communication.
Barriers created due to the difference in development.
Effect of barriers on the life of an Autistic child.
Conclusion: Overcoming barriers of Autism in communication.
Application of knowledge?How to overcome barriers of communication.
What more can be done to help.
From the Paper "Significant barriers are created for children of autism. There are personal barriers associated with the lack of expressed emotions. This affects the relationship between the autistic child and their family, which uses communication as a method of showing affection and engender closeness. Barriers are created on a social level for several reasons. First autistic children are unable to communicate affectively with peers, which means that they suffer from severe social alienation from their peers. Another major problem is that their inability to understand and appreciate nonverbal communication means that they are not able to integrate effectively into the culture and social situations that they are placed. This causes social barriers between both peers and adults, who are not used to the lack of basic social conventions."
Abstract The paper discusses and analyzes three articles on autism, "The Early Origins of Autism" by P. Rodier, on the genetic evidence related to autism and the way in which the brain develops; "Evaluating Behavioral Treatment of Disruptive Classroom Behaviors of an Adolescent with Autism" by J. Gerdtz, a case study relating to evaluating the behavior of children with autism and designing interventions that are more effective and, finally, "Autism" by S.E. Folstein, which explores some of the earlier concepts of autism and focuses on the newest concept of an autistic spectrum of disorders.
From the Paper "In terms of treatment, Folstein is not particularly sanguine. She noted that medicine has not had much success in finding good medical treatments, and that the best that is currently offered has been discovered by trial and error. She noted that it is clear that with special educational techniques some autistic children can learn and their disruptive behaviors brought under control. The determining factors seem to be the teacher skill, the child's overall intelligence, and the child's language ability. She noted specifically that individuals with autism benefit most from teaching that takes advantage of their gifts, such as their rote memory, attention to detail, and, in some instances, special computational or visual skills."
This paper discusses that, although the etiology is unknown, a number of theories are being suggested for autism, a mental handicap that results from abnormalities in brain development.
Abstract This paper explains that autism is not a disease in itself, but rather a condition or a disorder of development; children afflicted with this disorder exhibit a strange behavioral complex, do not form normal social relationships, and have seriously impaired communication ability. The author points out that the biological theory of autism includes a broad array of causative factors, including genetic anomalies, viral infections, metabolic conditions, congenital abnormalities, and biochemical imbalances. The paper concludes that the rapid advancement in molecular genetics is shedding new light in the study of autism; there is no question that this will further the understanding the neuropsychology of autism.
Table of Contents
Thesis
Introduction
Biological Theory of Autism Genetic Causes of Autism Genetic Conditions that Cause Autism The Central Coherence Theory
Conclusion
From the Paper "A growing amount of literature has furthered our understanding of the mental states particular to autism and other related disorders. It is known that 75% of people with autism have intellectual disability, and 30% of people having intellectual disability have autistic disorders. When compared with other subjects individuals with autism perform well in tasks that require analytical processing rather than global processing. A recent study by N.van Lang et al analyzed the connection between autistic disorder or autism on central coherence. For the study 43 subjects were chosen from special education schools. The whole pool of subjects having intellectual disability were neatly identified into two groups, one which fell under the autistic spectrum and other which have learning disabilities that fell outside the autistic spectrum. The study result supported the "central coherence theory" by confirming that the subjects with autism or comorbid disorders related to the autistic spectrum, performed well in highly analytical and detail focused tasks."
Abstract This research paper examines the different diagnostic labels for autism that are in current use, to consider how far they are applied with any consistency, how far they overlap, and whether existing terminology is adequate to account for the range of disorders encountered. The paper explains that Professor D.V.M. Bishop's work is highlighted in the research because the author feels that to even attempt to comprehend what is the 'best practice' in the case of educating the autistic individual is to first identify, define and characterize what 'autism' is actually comprised of in terms of its needs, its abilities, and the practices that negatively impact the autistic learner as well. Bishop informs the research at hand of some key factors in considering education of the autistic child.
Table of Contents:
Background of the Study
Diagnostic Criteria in 'Autism'
Revised Definition and Diagnostic Criteria in Autism 'Spectrum' Disorder
Research Questions
Nature and Purpose of the Diagnostic Exercise
Special Education and General Education Overview
Purpose of the Study
Definitions
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Social Skills
Inclusion
Self-Contained
Special Education
General Education
Literature Review
Historical Overview of Education and Autism Complaints of the Special Education Inclusion Program
Autism Continuum Two-Dimensional Model
Conner (1989) Guidelines for Mainstream Practice
Nine Diagnostic Points Identified (Creak 1961; as cited in Conner, 1999)
Diagnostic Criteria: Asperger Syndrome
Screening Tools Identified
Autistic Behavior 'Rating Scales'
Classroom Strategies
Behavioral and Social Management
Scholastic Management
Limitations of the Research
Summary of Literature Review
Recommendations for Future Research
Methodology
Questions of the Research
Method of Collection of Primary Studies for Review
Designation of Criteria for Inclusion
Designation of Criteria for Exclusion
Delineation of the Characteristics and Findings of the Studies
Analysis of the Data
Interpretation of the Results
From the Paper "While Christopher may well master the production of "long and complicated sentences" simultaneously Christopher's responses "are often inappropriate, and he often asks questions of others while disregarding the answers he receives." Bishop goes on and explains by asking the reader to suppose that in this fictional yet realistic situation that: "The psychiatrist suggests a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. The speech therapist states that an analysis of Christopher's language shows that it is phonologically and grammatically normal.""
Tags: asperger, diagnostic labels, obsessive subtypes, best practice
