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Scholarly Assignment: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Student: Paige Lacy
Student No: N0083568
Date Submitted: Friday November 20, 2015
NURS 209: Theory
Humber College

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex
neurodevelopmental disorders of brain function accompanied by
intellectual and social behavioural deficits (Perry, S, 2013, p. 1210).
Frequently, autism is diagnosed in a childs elementary school years.
Autism is a disorder that causes many children to acquire
communication, social and behavioural skills slower than most children
their age. There is no known cause of autism, but there are many
ongoing research studies on the causes of autism. Risk factors that
contribute to autism are family history, babies born prematurely, and
substance abuse. If a family has one child with autism it increases the
risk of having another child with autism and if a child is born before 26
weeks of pregnancy, they may have a greater risk of being born with
autism (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Autism occurs in 1 in 166 children and is
about four times more common in males than in females (Perry, S,
2013, p. 1210). Some common symptoms of autism are: failing to
respond to name or appears not to hear you, either doesnt speak or
has delayed speech, may lose ability to say words or sentences,
development of unique behaviour patterns, and becomes agitated and
frustrated when routines change (Mayo Clinic, 2014). As there is no
cure for autism there are many different types of treatment options for
children who are living with autism in order to help minimize as many
symptoms as possible. The following paragraphs will provide nursing
interventions for children living with autism, the health care providers

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needed to help with treatments, and the community resources that
would benefit children with autism.
There are different nursing interventions that can be used in
order to help children with autism cope and management their
symptoms. These interventions include: classes and strategies
focusing on how parents can communicate effectively with their
children, attending speech therapies, and behavioural therapies. If
parents are taught strategies on how to help their child communicate,
it would allow them to build confidence and alleviate frustration.
These skills may include how to read body language, appropriate
responses to peers and adults, social skills and norms, and how to
effectively communicate frustrations. Often tools are used to support a
child with autism to communicate, such as communication boards,
iPads and other technologies. Children who attend speech therapy
often learn how to speak correctly and work on areas of their speech
that are delayed. This may include letter and blended sound
pronunciation, as well as exercises to use in order to help correct
movements of the tongue, which may be causing speech impediments.
Behavioural therapies teach families different strategies to use when
dealing with various behaviours. When children with autism get
frustrated or disturbed from their normal routines, they become
agitated and angry towards a person, which leads to acting out. If
parents and their children do not attend their therapies, it reduces a

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childs opportunity to learn coping strategies and makes the childs
parents, teachers, and peers ability to communicate to one another
more challenging. When a child is diagnosed with autism there are
many health care professionals that help with the treatment of the
child with autism such as speech therapists, occupational therapists
and behavioural therapists.
These professionals have a thorough understanding of autism
and are able to teach parents various strategies that may be of use
when dealing with speech and behavioural challenges. Children with
autism attend speech therapies where music therapies are
implemented into their treatments. An article states, Music therapy
literature has reported the positive effects of musical activities on
cognitive, social, and sensory development for children with ASD as
well as their communication and language improvement (Hayoung, L.
2009). Speech therapists use music because of the beneficial effects of
music incentives. Researchers have found that it has progressive
effects on childrens communication and language. Another health care
professional involved in autism treatment are occupational therapists.
Occupational therapists work with people to improve their daily
activities. One way that occupational therapists help children with
autism is teaching them about home safety. Occupational therapists
are concerned about how to respond to issues of harmful behavior in
the home environment whilst promoting child development (Boyle, P.

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2009). Lastly, autistic children attend behavioural therapies. Research
has shown that children with autism often have anxiety disorders. The
Journal of Child Psychology And Psychiatry states, A standard
cognitive behavioural therapy program was augmented with multiple
treatment components designed to accommodate or remediate the
social and adaptive skill deficits of children with ASD that could pose
barriers to anxiety reduction (Wood, J. 2009). Therefore, behavioural
therapists work with autistic children to help find ways to eliminate
their anxiety disorders. By eliminating or minimizing anxiety it allows
the child to focus on improving their communication, behavioural and
social skills. Parents who have children with autism may feel
overwhelmed at times. To help, many communities provide resources
for children and parents living with autism.
The City of Toronto Ontario offers many community services for
children with autism and their families. One of the community services
is called Geneva Centre for Autism. This community resource allows
children with autism and their families to go in and learn about ASD
and allows the community to help provide skills and opportunities for
children with autism to learn and grow. This benefits the children as it
allows them to be involved with other children who have the same
disorder. Another community resource is Surrey Place Centre. Surrey
Place offers many programs and workshops such as School support for
children and older adults who live with autism. This helps people with

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ASD to meet their full potentials. Lastly, Autism Ontario Toronto offers
many activities such as summer camps and holiday events for autistic
children and their families. This would benefit autistic children as it
makes them feel involved and helps increase their self-esteem.
Therefore, there are many community resources available for children
with autism, to provide information as well as activities to allow
children to interact with other children.
In conclusion, many people in Canada are affected by autism and
it can put strain on families, as there are no cures for autism, only
ways to minimize symptoms. Children with autism often require extra
care and assistance and should seek community assistance through
different therapies and community resources.

References
Autism Ontario. (2015). See The Potential. Retrieved from
http://www.autism
ontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/Toronto/Home+-+Site
Boyle, P. Haines, D. Lovelock, L. Innes, K. (May 2014). Home Safety For
Children

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With Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Local Authority Occupational
Therapy

Intervention. Retrieved from

http://go.galegroup.com.eztest.ocls.ca
/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=humber&id=GALE
%7CA368956730&v=2.1&it=r&sid=summon&userGroup=humbe
r&authCount=1
Brasic, J. (July 9,2015). Austism. Retreived from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/
Article/912781-overview#a3
Geneva Centre For Autism. (n.d) Vision, Mission, Values And Goals.
Retrieved from
http://www.autism.net/about-us/vision-and-mission.html
Hayoung. L. (2009). Use of Music To Improve Speech Production In
Children With
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Theoretical Orientation. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com.eztest.ocls.ca/docview/1371931/
fulltextPDF/95C4E089A3404B10PQ/1?accountid=11530
Mayo Clinic. (June 3,2014). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrumdisorder/basics/risk-factors/con-20021148
Perry, S. Hockenberry, M. Lowdermilk, D. Wilson, D. Sams, C. (2013).
Maternal Child
Nursing Care In Canada. Canada: Elsevier

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Surrey Place Centre. (2015). Autism. Retrieved from
http://www.surreyplace.on.ca
/resources-publications
Wood, J. Drahota, A. Sze, K. Har, K. Chiu, A. Langer, D. (2009).
Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy For Anxiety In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders:
A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Retrieved from
http://web.a.ebscohost
.com.eztest.ocls.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ebbe345c1c6c-49a8-828962191c9d8398%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4212