Autism



Autism

Introduction

Autism is a developmental disorder whose behavioural characteristics range on a continuum from mild to severe. Autism is typically not diagnosed prior to age 2 to 3 years and the prognosis for this pervasive developmental disorder is poor. Even though there is no documented "cure" for autism, study proposes that it can be organised competently utilising comprehensive behavioural and informative remedy programs.

The reason for selecting this topic is because we have seen that autism is a developmental diagnosis of a behaviourally defined syndrome in which symptoms occur on a continuum or spectrum ranging from mild to severe. Although characteristics of autism can occur in the first month of life, it is typically not diagnosed prior to 2 to 3 years of age (Freeman, 2007), and its prognosis is generally accepted to be poor. Approximately 75% of children with autism function cognitively in the range of mental retardation and 25% of these children score within normal ranges on standardized measures of intelligence (Bryson, Clark, & Smith, 2008).

Discussion

More than a half century ago, Freeman (2007) reported on a group of young children he described as showing severe speech and language difficulties, failing to develop normal interpersonal relationships, and easily upset by changes in their environments. Today, autism is viewed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) marked by abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication combined with a restricted repertoire of activities and interests. Children with autism exhibit a bewildering array of behavioural deficits in attention, cognition, speech, language, affective and social functioning, coupled with behavioural excesses ranging from noncompliance to explosive aggression and self-injurious behaviour (Freeman, 2007).

Autism is a developmental diagnosis of a behaviourally defined syndrome in which symptoms occur on a continuum or spectrum ranging from mild to severe. Although characteristics of autism can occur in the first month of life, it is typically not diagnosed prior to 2 to 3 years of age (Freeman, 2007), and its prognosis is generally accepted to be poor. Approximately 75% of children with autism function cognitively in the range of mental retardation and 25% of these children score within normal ranges on standardized measures of intelligence (Bryson, Clark, & Smith, 2008).

There is no validated or empirically documented "cure" for autism; however, the disorder can be effectively managed using a combination of behavioural, educational, and biological intervention programs (Campbell, Schopler, Cueva, & Hallin, 2006). Several comprehensive treatment programs for children with autism have reported positive outcomes in peer-reviewed journals. Although virtually all of these programs have shown increases in developmental levels, IQ, social behaviours, and diminished signs of autism, they all suffer from a number of methodological problems making definitive conclusions regarding their efficacy still tenuous. Rogers (2008), however, aptly noted that it is important to recognize that the lack of empirical demonstration of efficacy does not necessarily mean that a particular treatment is ineffective. Instead, it means that the treatment's efficacy has not been demonstrated in a carefully controlled and objective ...