Autism

One of the exceptionalities to normal development is Autism. Today we know that Autism is not one discrete disorder, but on a spectrum with a range of symptoms. Write an essay about the early warning signs and treatment options for children on the Autism spectrum. Why is early detection so important?

This response should be a minimum of 300 words and use proper APA Style documentation. Be sure to support your argument with ideas from your own independent research. All information must be cited in the body of the text (ideas as well as writing) even if not directly quoting.

ANSWER

Autism

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder(ASD), is a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges in social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and non-verbal communication. According to a report by the CDC, one in 44 children in the US today are affected by the condition. Early detection of autism is important because an early diagnosis can help the person with autism to have an improved life (Elder et al., 2017). If it is caught early, the parents are educated more on the condition and ways of improving their children’s lives to ensure they have a normal life.

The early signs of autism appear in the early years of life. Early warning signs tarts as early as six months. At six months, signs of autism are characterized by the child not social smiling. If the child does not smile at people at that age, there is a possibility they have ASD. By 16 months, most children try to communicate using words. If the child does not use one-word communication by 16 months, they are likely autistic (Masi et al., 2017). Other signs include not showing items, attachment to one toy, not being responsive to sounds, voices, or names, and loss of skills at any time.

There are many ways used to minimize the symptoms of ASD and to maximize the abilities of people with ASD. However, there is no standard treatment for autism. People who have ASD have better chances if they are involved in therapies (Masi et al., 2017). Therapies and interventions vary depending on each person, but most people with ASD respond to structured and specialized programs. According to research, the interventions and therapies for people with ASD work best if the ASD is caught early, before or during pre-school.

References

Elder, J. H., Kreider, C. M., Brasher, S. N., & Ansell, M. (2017). Clinical impact of early diagnosis of autism on the prognosis and parent-child relationships. Psychology research and behavior management.

Masi, A., DeMayo, M. M., Glozier, N., & Guastella, A. J. (2017). An overview of autism spectrum disorder, heterogeneity, and treatment options. Neuroscience Bulletin, 33(2), 183-193.