HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY
Autism Spectrum Disorder
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
ASD is a general term that refers to a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by (1) social impairment, (2) communication difficulties, and (3) restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior. According to the CDC, 1 child out of every 68 has some form of ASD.
What Are the Symptoms or Signs of ASD?
The symptoms associated with ASD are typically observed by the age of 2. They may range from mild to severe. In some cases, children may develop normally in infancy, and then show symptoms in toddlerhood. They stop using language, playing, or enjoying interacting with others.
Symptoms observed in infancy, often by 18 months:
Unresponsive to others
Focuses on one item intently to the exclusion of all else
Does not respond when called by name
Avoids eye contact
Symptoms observed in toddlerhood:
Delayed use of language
Lack of empathy
Difficulty interpreting or responding to what others are feeling
Difficulty understanding social cues
Special attachment to one particular object
Likes to line things up; have objects in a specific order
Repetitive movements; self-harming behaviors
Refers to self by name, instead of me or I
Autism intensifies the nature of tantrums
Tantrums do not subside readily
The child may appear not to be able to control behaviors
The child does not respond to parental soothing, talk, or threats
Intense responses: Screaming, crying, resisting contact, pushing others away
Sensory sensitivities
Unusual sensitivity to light, touch, smell, sounds, or taste
Over- or under-reaction to pain or loud noises
Distinctive food preferences
What Causes ASD?
As the term implies, ASD is a complex condition with a variety of symptoms of varying intensity. The condition is considered to be primarily caused by genetic factors, but the root causes are not fully known.
● Twin studies show that if one twin has ASD, there is a 90 percent chance that the other identical twin will also be affected. This supports a genetic basis for ASD.
● Irregularities in brain development, including abnormal levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, suggest genetically-based problems in how brain cells communicate with each other.
● These genetic predispositions may be activated by certain environmental conditions in the prenatal period, especially the presence of a virus, or paternal age.
Even if the condition has a genetic basis, it is unlikely that most cases of autism can be traced to one gene. Researchers are identifying a large number of genes that are associated with ASD. What is more, autism has been linked to new mutations in the sperm or egg cells that form the offspring, suggesting some problem in DNA replication, not a condition that is inherited from the parents (Makin, 2015).
What Treatments Are Effective for ASD?
There is no cure and no single best treatment. This is a lifelong condition. However, early screening and early intervention have the best chance for reducing the severity of symptoms and supporting normal development. Common treatment methods include:
● Behavioral management to reinforce desired behaviors and to minimize undesired behaviors.
● Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy.
● Special services within schools: one-to-one or small group instruction, design of an IEP and ongoing evaluation of progress.
● Medications to reduce anxiety and control hyperactivity
Controversies Around ASD
Although ASD is considered a developmental disability, people with ASD are also known to have many strengths including (NIMH, 2016):
● Having above-average intelligence: the CDC reports 46 percent of ASD children have above average intelligence
● Being able to learn things in detail and remember information for long periods of time
● Being strong visual and auditory learners
● Exceling in math, science, music, or art
Thus, some prefer to use the term “neurodiversity” rather than disorder or disability, suggesting that ASD is one expression of a wide range of neurobiological differences in human cognitive functioning that can be adaptive in some contexts and disruptive in others.
There is a burgeoning literature on ASD. You can find more information at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) website,
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/Pages/default.aspx.
What are the signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder that you might look for in infants and toddlers?
