Autism: Social And Functional Challenges

English IV Composition Katelyn Decker
Personal Research Paper February 23rd, 2016

Autism, or a disorder of social and functional challenges, affects about one in every sixty-eight children in the world today (‘Facts about ASD’). The cause of autism has not yet appeared to scientists, but they have found ways to prevent it through pregnancy. My personal experience with autism showed me what the condition does to the person and to their families, and through my research, I discovered that scientists have found ways to overcome autism and its affects. My experience with autism began twelve years ago. My grandparents adopted Maddie, an autistic child, as a newborn baby. Because of her adoption into my family, we began to learn about
the disorder and how it affects not only the autistic individual but also those closest to her. Born to two mentally handicapped parents, Maddie could not have escaped having autism. Her parents did not have the capability to take care of her, therefore, my grandparents adopted her. Because of autism, Maddie sometimes cannot put her thoughts into words, hates large crowds and unfamiliar surroundings or people and cannot deal with change. Even with her struggles, Maddie always knows birthdays and important dates better than we do ourselves, and will often recite whoever has the nearest birthday when we visit them. Though she has an extraordinary memory, my grandparents must tell her about appointments the day they happen, or the night before because she gets anxiety about unknown or upcoming events. Fear of new experiences may hinder Maddie’s ability to start a life for herself. We can only hope that she will come out of her shell and overcome her autism in the near future. To better understand Maddie’s condition and to understand what her future may look like, we must look to the different types of autism and know which kind of autism she has. Three different types of autism arise both in children and in adults.
Those with Asperger’s syndrome usually have one stereotypical interest or show strange interest in inanimate objects or activities outside of their age group. People who have Asperger’s may find changes in a simple thing upsetting and may show signs of OCD, do random acts repetitively, or have an extreme interest in a monotonous motion. Asperger’s syndrome victims may not have the skills they need to create relationships or how to socialize (Carpenter). Although those with Asperger’s do not have appropriate social skills, most of them do quite well with schoolwork and with their futures academically (“Understanding Autism-The Basics”). Pervasive developmental disorder, another type of autism, applies to delays in social skills. Victims of pervasive developmental disorder (known as PDD-NOS) may have problems with language, relation to the outside world, or changes in routine. PDD-NOS children differ in intelligence and attitude, as some may not make a sound at all and others have normal intellect (“NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page”). Those with autistic disorder, the final type of autism, mostly have problems with life skills, such as communicating with others effectively. People with autistic disorder may not have interests in other human beings, not look people in the eyes or want physical contact with another person (“Facts about ASD”). They may repeat phrases, sounds or
movements without reason or have struggles to explain themselves (Smith). The three types of autism, though seemingly similar, all play an important role in deciphering the mental and emotional issues a child may experience and how to solve them. Scientists have come up with ways to prevent autism in children simply by the acts of their mothers.
The woman who wants to get pregnant should give herself six months to a year to change her diet and lifestyle. Taking white foods, preservatives and processed food out of the diet can help to begin the process (McDonnell). Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and packaged foods should also help (“Avoiding Toxic Exposures During Pregnancy”). Losing weight with daily exercise before pregnancy helps to prevent risks later on (McCarthy). Minimizing toxins in cleaning around the house, like changing to eco-friendly cleaning products, keeps the woman’s body pure of anything that could cause problems. Taking probiotics, vitamins and Omega-3s regularly, and avoiding mercury, shots, and pesticides can help to prevent problems for the growing baby (McDonnell). After becoming pregnant, the woman should continue her diet and take vitamins and antibiotics. (McCarthy) Finding a midwife and having a natural birth at home can help, as well as avoiding ultrasounds during the pregnancy and inductions during labor. Children born by cesarean section have a higher risk of having autism than babies delivered naturally. Even though a cesarean section seems easier, it has more potential to harm the baby. Bonding with the baby after its birth, which includes breastfeeding and using a baby carrier, can help prevent autism as well. Solids should not show up in the baby’s diet until after six months, and
continuing to breastfeed the child for a year or two will help their immune systems (McDonnell). Though these tips have no certification of preventing autism completely, they definitely can help to keep those symptoms from showing up in children as newborns and help solve the problems that autism causes. Autism has done damage to innocent people, and to their families. My aunt and my whole family have to experience this on a day to day basis, and the difficulties will never end. But, with this new information we have about autism and how to overcome it, the chance for us has come to better understand what Maddie goes through and how to help her to reach her full potential, and how to reach those around us with the same disability.