Autistic Children Research Paper

There are a variety of physical characteristics that are associated with children that are diagnosed with Autism. One characteristic that is noticeable is an abnormal face structure. Brachycephalic also known as flat head syndrome is a type of cephalic (Brain) disorder that is common with autistic children. This occurs when the carnal structure fuses prematurely, causing a shortened front- to –back diameter of the skull. Another common characteristic in Autistic children is Eye Asymmetry this is when their eyes are far apart other than normal. According to a study, children with Autism also have a shorter middle region of the face including the nose and check as well as a wider mouth and philtrum (The divot above the lip and below the
nose). The mouth is also a part of the body that affects the character makeup.
Mouth Asymmetry is when the mouth is not symmetrical or evenly balanced. Macrostomia means abnormal largeness of the mouth. As far as the jaw formation, they have prominent low jaw meaning the lower jaw is significant shorter than the upper jaw. This affects the bone structure, and speech impediment. Another common characteristic is the ear lobe crease. This is when a line or fold is in the earlobe. Their has been a lot of research done in the pass for Autism, and there is currently treatment available. But doctors all around the world are still researching for a cure. Their has been a lot of different kinds of medication that has been tested, and has been approved by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). With the right type of treatment many Autistic children will be helped.
One of the medications use to treat Autism is Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is a tricylic (contains tree rings in the molecular structure) medication. Tricylic antidepressants enhance the activity of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain by inhibiting their reuptake by the cells that secrete them. Even though Amitriptyline causes drowsiness, and a dry mouth it is the most widely used tricylic
antidepressant.
Bupropin better known as wellburtin is a mild psychostimulaut that is use to treat Autism. Burpropin lowers seizure threshold and its potential to cause seizures has been widely publicized. However with the recommended does the risk of seizures is comparable to that observed for other anti depressants. Bupropin is an effective antidepressant on its own, but it is particularly popular as an “add on” medication. Bupropin improves mood by increasing the concentration. Seizure is the most controversial side effect of bupropin, and was responsible for it’s initial withdrawal from the market. The common adverse effect is dry mouthmausea, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), tremor, and excessive sweating. Just like amitriptyline, clompramine is a tricylic antidepressant. It is use to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It produces uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry by repetitive behaviors. The side effects are fatigue, dizziness, light heartiness, headache, confusion, agitation, and insomnia. Fluoxetine is used for major, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, body dysmorphis, and premenstrual dysphonic disorder. The side effects are nausea, insomnia, anorexia. OCD was successfully treated by fluoxetine. It results in a better response with a higher dose.
Autism treatment usually goes on for the rest of their lives. There are different therapist to also help children with Autism like a therapist and occupational therapist. The occupational therapist help teach them basic skills, such as bathe, tie shoes, put on clothes etc. A physical therapist helps them with their body movement for example walking, running etc. These include speech, occupational, and physical therapy. These therapies are important components of managing autism and should all be included in various aspects of the child’s treatment program. Speech therapy can help a child with Autism improve language and social skills to communicate more effectively. Occupational and physical therapy can help improve any deficiencies in coordination and motor skills. Occupational therapy may also help a child with autism to learn to process information from the senses ( sight, sound, hearing, touch, and smell) in a better way. Behavioral training and management uses positive reinforcement, self-help, and social skills training to improve behavior and communication with children with Autism. Many types of treatments have developed, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning. Applied Behavioral Analysis is a technique use to bring about positive change in behavior.
Treatment and Education of Autistic and related communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) is another program to help Autistic children with their develop skills. TEACCH was developed by Schopler and Reichler in 1971 at the University of North Carolina. It is also a technique use to work with children with autism. Autism effects communication and how the child socially interacts with others. Symptoms of autism show range in many different ways, and even different categories. Take the category of social interaction and relationships and include an autistic child's behavior patterns. These patterns may include Ex. non verbal communication, developmental problems such as , eye - to - eye gazing, body language, and facial expressions, failure to make friends with people their own age, lack of interest, and lack of empathy. Compare your findings to another child without autistic tendencies and you may conclude that that child is active, wants to play, run around doing normal toddler's explorations. In addition, do not limited you findings. All children behave differently. You may find that your child is just timid. This is why Autism is a silent disorder; signs are hard to find. Consult your doctor early for any possible concerns or signs. Each child with autism is unique, with their own individual range of symptoms and behaviors. Most autistic children seem to be in their own world. They show lack of empathy for even their caregivers, and attach emotional bonds with inanimate objects. A few other symptoms and characteristics for autism may include "but not limited to": failure to develop normal socialization, problems in speech, language, and communication, strange relationships to events, unusual responses to sensory stimulation, and progress delays. These unique traits delay them from progress or earning the skills they need to adapt to the world and grow properly. As a child, children learn to play with each other and network building the necessary social skills to grow up and adapt in the business world. This leaves many autistic children behind. For children with more severe cognitive limitations it creates barriers from the child excelling to best of his/her capabilities.(Quill, 1995, p. 219) Studies prove autism occurs more commonly in boy than girls, but symptom show stronger in females. Researchers don not know why autism occurs three to four times more frequently in boys than in girls. Research for autism is costly and lacks funding. To many experts and parents the number of children with autism seems to be increasing at a faster pace than before. It is now a primary concern amongst pregnancy patients. According to studies and general analysis, doctors made a profile based off of cases of the disorder, so that there able to answer questions. Doctors strongly urge diet and exercise but still, that does not guarantee that you will not birth a child with autism. Research studies prove that women with a history of obesity have a greater risk of birth a child with autism. It's among the first studies linking the two, and though it doesn't prove obesity causes autism, the authors say their results raise public health concerns because of the high level of obesity in this country. Studies show women who were obese during pregnancy were about 67 percent more likely than normal-weight women to have autistic children. They also faced double the risk of having children with other developmental delays. (NY Daily News, 2012) On average, women face a 1 in 88 chance of having a child with autism; the results suggest that obesity during pregnancy would increase that to a 1 in 53 chance. Dr. Daniel Coury, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, noted that U.S. autism rates have increased along with obesity rates and said the research suggests that may be more than a coincidence.
More research is needed to confirm the results. But if mothers' obesity is truly related to autism, it would be only one of many contributing factors, said Coury. Genetics has also been linked to autism. Scientists are examining whether mothers' illnesses or use of certain medicines during pregnancy might also play a role. These studies involved about 1,000 California children, ages 2 to 5. Nearly 700 had autism or other developmental delays, and 315 did not have those problems. (Autism Crisis 2011) Mothers were asked about their health. Medical records were available for more than half the women and confirmed their conditions. It's not clear how mothers' obesity might affect fetal development, but the authors offer some theories.
Last month, Dr. Dennis Kinney and four of his colleagues at Harvard University accepted the Vitamin D theory of autism and then expanded it by adding five usual suspects. While I was thrilled to see the Vitamin D theory accepted, appreciate them crediting the theory to me [Dr. Dennis Kinney] (researcher at Harvard University), and loved seeing their paper in the same journal that published the original theory, Medical Hypotheses, their five additions are all toxins, the usual suspects. The authors imply these toxins are delivered to our genome by air or water pollution, such as mercury-contaminated seafood, where these toxins selectively damage the genome of those [with] Vitamin D deficiency. The "Vitamin D theory" is a theory that blames autism on global warming and food contamination, and sunlight exposure.
Data with research links claims that people in typicial areas of lower sun light or deprived states and regions with heavy cloud overcasts give higher ratings for birth children with the disorder Autism. “According to many studies, more children with autism are born during the spring. March is the time of lowest vitamin D levels in northern mid-latitudes. These areas are further from the sun and get less light. This corresponds to brain damage around the sixth month of pregnancy. “ Giving the theory the name “Vitamin D”, a chemical we need from the sun. The theory also claims that people of color or darker skin are at greater risk factors for the development of autism. Those with darker skin produce less vitamin D from sunlight. Low maternal vitamin D level is a risk factor for premature delivery. The risk of autism increases with each week a baby is born early. Maternal seafood consumption during pregnancy may lower the baby’s risk of autism. Cold water ocean fish are a good source of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Both are important for brain
health. When autism was identified in 1943, it was a disorder that was misinterpreted and puzzled most professionals. Since then, studies have given us understanding into autism as a brain based disorder which children are born with. . We are not as blind to the disease as we once were. Every year companies rally together raising money for research funding and ways to help parents with “special needs” autistic children. Rally for Autism is one of the longest running charity events that gather everyone to rally and donate thru walk-a-thons and other public based awareness. Locally in the Hampton Roads area, we have “Ride 4 Autism” motocross, family event that happens every year during May. All proceeds go to Autism Society of America (ASA) though science advancements and funding has made it possible for us to cause awareness research for autism remains an incurable disease. Find a local charity and bring awareness.