Autism: A Brain Disorder
Autism
Introduction to Disabilities
Lisa A. DeVinney
Professor Laurie Eckart
February 7, 2010
Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it difficult to communicate and relate with others, impairs the ability to initiate and sustain a conversation with others, absence or impairment of imaginative and social play, stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language, restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus, preoccupation with certain objects or subjects, and inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals. Nobody really know what causes Autism, but some researchers tend to believe that it is caused by heredity, but I find that hard to believe since nobody in my family or family tree has Autism. Other scientists and researchers think that, abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain may cause Autism. There is no cure for Autism, so it is very hard to treat, so most doctors prescribe medications like anti-depressants, and stimulants to try to control some of the symptoms that go along with autism, like Wellbutrin, and Adderall for example.
The five main symptoms of Autism include but are not limited to, lack of or delay in spoken language. For example, the child might just make sounds that don’t really relate to anything or anybody, or repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms, such as rocking, spinning objects, or hand flapping. There may be little or no eye contact or the child may look away when talking to another person. There may also be a lack of interest in peer relationships, the child might be considered a “loner”, because he or she likes to play alone rather than play with others. They may also have a persistent fixation on parts of objects, such as instead of rolling a toy car on the floor, the child will flip the wheels over and over. There are four main types of Autism. The first is Aspberger syndrome, which is a mild form of Autism. The second
Introduction to Disabilities
Lisa A. DeVinney
Professor Laurie Eckart
February 7, 2010
Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it difficult to communicate and relate with others, impairs the ability to initiate and sustain a conversation with others, absence or impairment of imaginative and social play, stereotyped, repetitive, or unusual use of language, restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus, preoccupation with certain objects or subjects, and inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals. Nobody really know what causes Autism, but some researchers tend to believe that it is caused by heredity, but I find that hard to believe since nobody in my family or family tree has Autism. Other scientists and researchers think that, abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain may cause Autism. There is no cure for Autism, so it is very hard to treat, so most doctors prescribe medications like anti-depressants, and stimulants to try to control some of the symptoms that go along with autism, like Wellbutrin, and Adderall for example.
The five main symptoms of Autism include but are not limited to, lack of or delay in spoken language. For example, the child might just make sounds that don’t really relate to anything or anybody, or repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms, such as rocking, spinning objects, or hand flapping. There may be little or no eye contact or the child may look away when talking to another person. There may also be a lack of interest in peer relationships, the child might be considered a “loner”, because he or she likes to play alone rather than play with others. They may also have a persistent fixation on parts of objects, such as instead of rolling a toy car on the floor, the child will flip the wheels over and over. There are four main types of Autism. The first is Aspberger syndrome, which is a mild form of Autism. The second
References: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer www.NINDS.gov http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-topic-overview http://autism.emedtv.com/autism/types-of-autism.html