The Treatment of Autism as an Information Processing Disorder

Running head: THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM AS AN INFORMATION PROCESSING DISORDER

The Treatment of Autism as an Information Processing Disorder
Mark Collins
University of the Rockies
Dr. Robert Wolf
August 1, 2010

Abstract
This paper examines some of the research and theories related to the neurological, sensorimotor, and memory functions in individuals with autism and autism spectrum disorders. It examines data associated with dysfunction within four neural mechanisms in the brain of those with ASD, along with research findings that have attempted to identify specific areas of brain related to the impairments of learning and memory capabilities. Furthermore, it explores theories hypothesizing autism as an information processing disorder, and presents the predominant conventional treatment approach, as well as an unconventional methodology utilizing computers.

The Treatment of Autism as an Information Processing Disorder The role of neural mechanisms in the brain in autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has changed over the last 40 years as the disorders have become better understood. Autism was once seen as being basically psychogenic in origin and focused on early developmental and environmental causation (Kanner, 1943), later being discarded in favor of neurobehavioral models in the 1970s and 80s. These theories hypothesized that brain dysfunction was the sponsoring factor related to social, language, and behavioral symptomatology in autism, with ASD in effect being defined as a type of amnesiac disorder (Boucher & Warrington, 1976). Biopsychological and biological theories are now ascendant, with symptoms related to cognitive and language deficits sponsoring hypotheses attempting to locate the source of motor impairments in the brain. In some senses, researchers have some advantages as the brain physiology in normal individuals is fairly well understood, though there is no one prevailing theory endorsed by all as to how these function in

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