Autistic Disorder

Cultural and Disease Paper
Autistic
Autism known as Autistic disorder is a neurological disorder that may occur during the first three years of life. The children with this disorder appears distance; living in their own world. The child does not show interest in interaction with other and lack of awareness to surroundings. Autistic children have problem communicating with others, poor eye contact, and shows limited attachment to others including parents. According to Choc Health (2012), "Approximately 3 to 6 out of every 1,000 children born are diagnosed with autism. Autism is more prevalent in boys than girls, with four times as many boys affected than girls.” There is no infinitive way of understanding why 3 to 6 children develop this
disorder or why boys are more susceptible than girl. What is known about the disorder it may be biologically and it is a neurological developmental disability with some genetic basis. Some Neurologist has theories on connection with Autism like: genetics, heredity, or medical problems. Other specialists are researching whether problem during pregnancy and environmental factors play a part in the susceptibility of autism.
The point still remains that children have reach an all-time high in developing autism. The causes are numerous, treatment and diagnosis is limited. Autistic Disorder has so many contributing factors cause such as: environmental, poor nutrition, Immune deficiency, and other contributing factors. Having this disorder also comes with speculation as to how children obtain such disorder with immunization playing a part in autism. Reviewing more in-depth at this particular population and its disorder finding that the environment and others may play a big part in factoring how does a vulnerable person; such a child develop this disorder. A study called Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) found by an organization called Autism Speaks has provided funding to acquire what part does environmental factors have in correlation to autism. The founders of EARLI have links contributing factors in genes as a direct link to the changes in the brain, although other children with this disorder may have hazards in their environment. Siblings have some similarities in genes and they grow up in the same environment. The "Earlistudy.org" (2008) website Research shows that younger brothers or sisters of a child with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more likely to have ASD as well. Recurrence is the frequency of ASD in siblings born after the first diagnosed child. Studies of sibling recurrence done in the last twenty years have generally reported that between 2% and 8% of younger siblings of children with ASD were eventually diagnosed with ASD. ("Earlistudy.org", 2008). Although, these studies are older studies and may or may not be has accurate the newer studies like the study of twins and tracking children at an earlier stage of life; are the more precise accuracy. These studies show that According to "Earlistudy.org" (2008), " The first study reported on 107 younger siblings of children with ASD, finding that 31 (28%) met criteria for ASD at 36 months of age. The second reported on 155 siblings of children with ASD and found that 35 (23%) met criteria for ASD at 36 months. It is possible that the findings from these more recent studies may over-estimate recurrence because they enrolled siblings after they were born.” Basically what this means there is no known way as previously stated before to pin point what part of environmental plays a part in ASD. As for the speculation on vaccines this a constant debate as to the specific of the MMR (Mumps, Measles, and Rubella) vaccination and what role it plays in diagnosing of Autism. The speculation as to the mercury found in the vaccine was causing the neurological developmental disorder. The Autism Resource Center (2012) website reports an investigation in 2001 was conducted by the Institute of Medicine concluded that the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between MMR vaccines and autistic spectrum disorders the Institute did not rule out the possibility that vaccines may affect a small number of children affected with ASD, so research is continuing. So, even the theories as to vaccination are inconclusive. There are no conclusive answer as to why children mainly boys are affected by this disorder. This disorder recently named Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has several symptom and onset, but as of the origin on transmission is still unknown.
Some of the common symptoms are: not socially interactive, delays in speech, demonstrates repetitive behavior. These symptoms could also mimic other condition and other disorder. This is what makes it somewhat difficult to treat and even diagnose properly. Parent reports that infants with autism show no interest and they are unaffectionate. Children with ASD do not communicate well, because perhaps they have not developed speech, or it is delayed. Repetitive behavior is also a very common symptom in this disorder. Children with ASD have repetitive motor movement like rocking, hand flapping, or finger flapping. These individual are sensitive to noise and easily distracted by lights, and moving objects. This disorder and its symptom for the most part can describe a typical child. Often times ASD is misdiagnosed for that reason. Once ASD is properly diagnosed through several different phases and there are 2 levels of screening. The first screening is performed by a physician at the child wellness checkup during the first 2 years. The physician will be observing developmental deficiencies such as: no babbling or gesturing by 12 months, no single words by 18 months, or not repeating the sound of other by 24 months. The second level of screening will be performed if the child has been identified with developmental deficiencies in the
first screening. This screen is more in depth than the first, because the child will be screen by several specialists including a neurologist, or a clinician certified in clinical genetics. Test will be performed such as CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Several genetic syndromes may cause autism: untreated phenylketonuria (PKU), neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and a host of chromosome abnormalities. This can take years if diagnosed properly and treatment with special behavioral and education program are the most known treatment for ASD. Behavioral modification is helpful in reducing of even elimination maladaptive behavior. Children with ASD are often identified on an individual level, because no two cases are the same. There are no prevention methods to contain or even prevent children from developing ASD at this time. Scientist, researcher and foundation such as Autism Speaks are working closely together to find remedies and answer to the disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There is some much of the unknown to this disorder that prevention is a moot point. People who are affected by this disorder and other who are moved by children with autism should reach out in their community to see what can be done. Awareness of this disorder is the most effective way of treating ASD. The sooner diagnosed the better results for treatment.

References
Autism Resource Center. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.autismresourcecenter.info/diagnosing_causes.htm
CHOC.org (2012). Retrieved from http://www.choc.org/healthlibrary/topic.cfm?PageID=CH0004&wt.mc_id=neuroscience_googlesearch
Earlistudy.org. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.earlistudy.org/About-the-Study/21/