Cognitive Theories & Symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorder



Cognitive Theories & Symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include a milder form known as Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Although ASD varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group. Experts estimate that 1 out of 88 children age 8 will have an ASD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 30, 2012). Males are four times more likely to have an ASD than females.

Autism is defined as impairment in social communication, interaction problems and dysfunctional behavior. There are many cognitive theories, which explain the symptoms of autism in different stages of life and how it affects life. There are some theories, which explain the relationship of irregularities and patterns of biological weaknesses. These theories have also considered mental dysfunction along with psychological problems. All of symptoms of Autism show patterns which emerge throughout the processes. Although all the theories explain the process of autism but no theory has yet explained the causes to this disease to the expectations of research.

The incidence increased more popularity because diagnostic methods improve public awareness. According to U.S. statistics, mental retardation incidence rate curve with autism is just the opposite direction. Autism incidence rate of live births in the United States 14.9 (Best, et al., 2008, 840-847). According to the statistics of the world, the incidence of autism is about five thousand years old. A new recent Chinese research estimated people who are suffering from autism are almost five thousand in the world.

All the research has shown how the brain is an important part of the cause of this disease and autistic disease is related to the cerebellum damage, which ensures learning. This point of view in research has concluded that declarative memory replaces faulty mechanistic memory in some function, which causes the autistic disorder. These certain phenomenon disturbs the functioning of the brain with respect to learning. Mnesic imbalance in the brain is probably related to imbalance, which at the end causes autistic spectrum disorder. Autistic disorders are of many kinds, which have been discussed in this paper.

Discussion

Autism and its roots

Silverman et. al (2001) concluded that autism is one of complex neurodevelopment disorders and these disorders are based on individual characteristics of parents and siblings. The sooner parents notice worrying symptoms, the sooner you can start treatment. The first signs of illness in children are seen when they 6 months old. However, each child is different, so not all of the symptoms must be present in a child to diagnose autism. The roots of autism are still not discovered and the research ...