Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

The Autism Spectrum

Rachael Salmon

PSC 250-201

Dr. DeMaso

2 Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects about two million

people in the United States and tens of million individuals in the world
as a whole. (Autism Speaks, 2014). In this paper I will be discussing
what autism spectrum disorder actually is, the characteristics of the
different disorders on the spectrum, the causes of autism spectrum
disorders, available medical treatments, educational interventions, and
the state of the current and future research on this disorder. I chose to
research this topic, because my wish is to become a special education
teacher, and I find autism to be one of the most fascinating and wellexplored disorders of them all. I have total and honest respect for each
one of the other disorders that are categorized by special education,
but I find this one the most interesting.

Autism is part of a group of disorders, including childhood

disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and
Asperger syndrome, which make up the spectrum. The reason that they
are all categorized into the same group is because all four disorders
exhibit similar characteristics. They only appear differently in the time
period when symptoms show up, how severe a particular individuals
symptoms are, and how they become interpreted by the individual in

Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

their life. (CDC, 2013). They are now all categorized under the term,
ASD, which is short for Autism Spectrum Disorder. A textbook
definition of autism would be, a disorder of neural development
characterized by impaired social interaction and verbal and non-verbal
communication, and by restricted, repetitive, or stereotyped behavior.
(Wikipedia, 2014). The symptoms of autism usually show up in early
childhood, usually before or at the age of two years old. Autism is
considered a disorder of the brain, which makes it difficult for
individuals to communicate and perform social interactions with other
people. An excellent explanation of this is, the different areas of the
brain fail to work together. (Web MD, 2013). While this can be a
devastating spectrum of disorders, individuals that are on the spectrum
can be very academically intelligent, even above average, as well as
musically and artistically inclined as well. (Autism Speaks, 2014).

Each part of the spectrum or each disorder has similar

characteristics that can define an individuals diagnosis. All four
disorders share certain characteristics like, deficiency in social or
occupational or any area that requires a specific level of functioning,

4 Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

restricted, recurring patterns of behavior, and the actual diagnosis of

the disorder at an early age.

There is a lot of variation concerning the causes of the autism

spectrum disorders, including genetic and environmental factors, and
opinions about the effect of vaccines. There are no definitive genes that
cause these disorders, but there have been studies where it is found that
nine times out of ten, when one twin has a disorder, the other twin has it
as well. Also, if you have a sibling who has one of the disorders, you are
more likely to have one as well. It is suspected that there are many
different mutations of the gene that causes autism, especially because
normally children who are diagnosed in the autism spectrum do not
have any family history of those disorders. So, it is very difficult to
pinpoint exactly what enables these diseases. (NIH, 2014).
Environmental factors may include anything and everything that
an individual comes into contact to. More direct environmental factors
are complications during or after birth, older parental age, hereditary
medical conditions, and the possibility of coming in contact with both
internal and external pollutants. Studies have also shown that certain

Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

genes in an individuals DNA can make you more susceptible to

developing any of the disorders in the spectrum.
There has been much speculation about the effect of certain
vaccines on the development of the autism spectrum. There are many
parents that are determined that these vaccines are a proponent of
autism, but there has not been any real concrete proof of this factor in
the many studies that have been completed and been inconclusive.
(NIH, 2014).

There are a variety of available medical treatments for the autism

spectrum. Some of the methods of treatment are solely based upon or
involve educational concepts that can improve cognitive ability and
development in children with autism. Concentrated behavioral therapy
with children in their earliest years is one of the most effective ways to
treat these disorders and improve their functioning.
Another commonly utilized method is ABA (Applied Behavior
Analysis), which involves the child learning new behavior and then
strengthening the behaviors so that the child is able to use them in their
daily lives. Particular methods within ABA are verbal behavior and
pivotal response training.

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There are also a number of medications that can aid the child in
reducing some of the symptoms they experience. These are usually
antidepressants, antipsychotic, or stimulant medications. (NIH, 2014).
In particular cases, some people are able to move off of the autism
spectrum. These cases are characterized by a potential initial
misdiagnosis or the chance that the individual has responded extremely
well to their treatment and is no longer considered to be autistic. It is
certain that the earlier the beginning of treatment, the better off the
child is for the future. (Autism Speaks, 2014).

There are many educational interventions that are current and

applicable, some which have already been mentioned, to enable the
child (at least in school) to improve their speech, cognitive ability, and
social skills. These are usually offered in most schools, especially ones
that have a speech pathologist or a behavioral therapist on staff. There
are also different types of programs that schools offer to help children in
the autism spectrum outside of school as well, but these are specific to
each school system. A perfect example of someone who has overcome
autism is Dr. Temple Grandin.

Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

She is a professor, best-selling author, inventor, and a very

significant advocate in the world of the autism spectrum. She has
written many books on the autism spectrum and her life, there was an
HBO docudrama based on her life, which won an Emmy award. She also
travels around the country and speaks about the subject matter in her
books, what is necessary to improve autism education, and what her life
has been like dealing with this disorder. She did not even speak until
the age of three and a half years old, and she has accomplished as much
or a lot more than a person without autism has.

Research concerning the autism spectrum seems to be very

continuous throughout the years that it has been a recognized disorder.
At least in the United States, people have really begun to recognize and
support the research of the autism spectrum.

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Sources:
Autism Spectrum and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
(2012). Retrieved April 1, 2014, from Kennedy Krieger Institute
website:
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/diagnosesdisorders/
autism-spectrum-disorders-asd-and-pervasive-developmentaldisorders-pdd

Autism Spectrum Disorders Health Center. (2013, January 7).

Retrieved March 1, 2014, from Web MD website:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/ autism-topic-overview

Feldman, R. S. (2014). Development Across the Life Span (7th ed.).

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Running Head; The Autism Spectrum

Genomics and Health: Autism and Family History. (2013, April 4).
Retrieved March 1, 2014, from Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention website:
http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/diseases/autism.htm

What is Autism? (2014). Retrieved April 1, 2014, from

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? (2014). Retrieved April 1,

2014, from National Institute of Mental Health website:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/
autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmentaldisorders/index.shtml