Autism - General Overview of Autism
General Overview of Autism What is Autism? Autism is defined as a disorder of early development that causes severe problems in thinking, communicating with others, and feeling a part of the outside world (Autism 2009). A person diagnosed with autism has a brain abnormality that affects normal brain function (Nordquist 2009). Most diagnoses of autism are usually never the same, even though, the symptoms are generally similar. Autism must not be confused with childhood schizophrenia or mental retardation, though the actions of children with these circumstances are sometimes related to that of autistic children (Autism 2009). Autism prevents children from developing normal social relationships, even with their parents (Autism 2009).
Infants and Autism Autism is generally not diagnosed until two or three years old, but there is an extremely controversial argument on whether or not it could be diagnosed in infants. According to Canadian researchers, they could already see signs and symptoms of autism in infants at approximately six months old (Boyles 2005). The researchers believe that the infant is already predisposed with abnormal brain development inside their mother’s womb. The infants that Canadian researchers experimented were only limited to families that already had an older child born with autism (Boyles 2005). According to research conducted in an article of Developmental Psychology, it is not possible to diagnose and infant with autism (Charman et al.,1997). The researchers conducted a study on thirty eight boys, separated into three different groups: Autism Risk Group, Developmental Delay Group, and Normal Group. The studies were based upon four different criteria: Empathy, Pretend Play, Joint Attention, and Imitation (Charman et al., 1997). Based on their results, it was not evident t to say whether or not a child could be diagnosed with Autism. This based upon the findings that children in the autism group and children in the developmental delay
Infants and Autism Autism is generally not diagnosed until two or three years old, but there is an extremely controversial argument on whether or not it could be diagnosed in infants. According to Canadian researchers, they could already see signs and symptoms of autism in infants at approximately six months old (Boyles 2005). The researchers believe that the infant is already predisposed with abnormal brain development inside their mother’s womb. The infants that Canadian researchers experimented were only limited to families that already had an older child born with autism (Boyles 2005). According to research conducted in an article of Developmental Psychology, it is not possible to diagnose and infant with autism (Charman et al.,1997). The researchers conducted a study on thirty eight boys, separated into three different groups: Autism Risk Group, Developmental Delay Group, and Normal Group. The studies were based upon four different criteria: Empathy, Pretend Play, Joint Attention, and Imitation (Charman et al., 1997). Based on their results, it was not evident t to say whether or not a child could be diagnosed with Autism. This based upon the findings that children in the autism group and children in the developmental delay
Cited: autism. (2009). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved May 11, 2009, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/44667/autism Autism Information Center Baron-Cohen S., Chairman T., and Swettenham J. (1997). Infants With Autism: An Investigation of Empathy, Pretend Play, Joint Attention, and Imitation. Developmental Psychology, 33(5), 781-789. Boyle S., ( 2005). “Early Signs of Autism Identified in Infants”, WebMD Health News. April 29, 2005. http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news Desombre, H., Malvy, J., Roux, S Gray, D., (2006, December). Coping Over Time: The Parents of Children with Autism. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50(12), 970-976. Gray, Kylie M., Mooney, Erin L., Tonge, Bruce J., (2006). Early Features of Autism: Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 15(1), 12-18 “Parenting a Child with Autism“ http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/ children-with-autism-coping-skills-for-parents? Rudy, Lisa J., (2009) Whitaker, P., (2004, December). Foster Communication and Shared Play Between Mainstream Peers and Children with Autism: Approaches, Outcomes, and Experiences. British Journal of Special Education, 31(4), 215-222.