Autism Research Paper Essay Example

Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities with lifelong effects for the person. They are characterized by the repetitive behaviors exhibited by the client with social and communication deficits as well. Clients with ASDs have unusual abilities to learn, they struggle with paying attention and may react inappropriately with extreme tantrums to different sensations. ASDs include and are not limited to autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, atypical autism and Asperger disorder. Research of autism has been tracked by the Centers of Disease Control for prevalence since 1996, however tracking of developmental disabilities began in the 1980s. There has been a general consensus that there is no accurate data for estimating and monitoring the rate of incidence over time. In the article, “Is There an Epidemic of Autism?” from the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the article reports that recent surveys show a significantly higher rate of autism than that of 30 years ago, however that is due to a broader definition of autism and advances in diagnostic workup. The rate of increase in California primarily had to do with changes in population size, which rose 19.3% from 1987 to 1999. Another interesting fact is how there was no control over the changes in the definitions and diagnostic concepts of autism and how multiple diagnostic systems were used over the years. Recently however, autistic children are being diagnosed earlier than before. By decreasing the mean age of diagnosis this will result in an increase in the number of cases reported therefore allowing a more stable prevalence or incidence. While in Minnesota, reports have shown an alarming increase in the prevalence of ASDs. The Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning have collected annually from the school district all of the children who are receiving special education paid by the state.

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