Cause Of Autism Research Paper

Burke1
Kacey Burke
ENGL1102
Research Essay
10/14/13

Can a person with autism live a normal life? Autistic children grow up to either live normally or always have problems associated with their disorder. Autism has many different causes, symptoms and ways of treatment. The causes of autism could include many factors. Even though most people think it is, genes aren’t the only cause for autism. The National Autism Association reports, “The rapid rise in the rate of autism over the last 20 years cannot be attributed solely to genetics (NAA 1).” They may not be the only cause, however, genes are a factor. They play a huge role in how the child develops. Studies conducted show, “Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with
the disorder (NINDS 2).” The surroundings, which a person lives, could contribute to whether he or she obtains a disorder. The community a child lives in and the people involved in their life can also impact the effect of autism. Toney Allman states, “These changes in the way the brain develops and works could be innate or inborn. However, some scientists believe the environment may be involved, too (Allman 37).” Some shots meant to help cure or prevent some illness could be a contributor. Studies show that vaccinations may be a link to autism due to the fact that a vaccine may bring out the disorder in a child if their family has a history of the disease (NAA 1). Children with autism wonder why they obtain the disorder and how it came to be, but they also face many symptoms associated with autism. Burke 2
The signs of autism could be easily recognized, or they could possibly go without being seen.
When a child is diagnosed with autism, they usually have another disorder or sickness along with it as well. Statistics from the NAA explain, “Individuals with autism often suffer from numerous co-morbid medical conditions which may include: allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders and more (NAA 1).” Children with this disorder normally have a substantially low immune system, which causes them to be more prone to have infections and illnesses. When children are too young or have a handicap, it is hard to notice symptoms and signs of autism since they are already shoeing similar symptoms. The NINDS tells, “ASD varies widely in severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps (NINDS 2).” When a child has autism they may have a problem with communication. Speaking with others may come as a major challenge as well as staying focused on the person they are trying to associate with. Studies show, “The hallmark feature of ASD is impaired social interaction. As early as infancy, a baby with ASD may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time (NINDS 1).” Some children have a harder time understanding specific words and may repeat
things they say multiple times. Studies point out that this disorder is defined by issues with social skills, comprehension problems, contention of speaking among others and continuous repetition of certain words or actions (NAA 1). Autism is mainly associated with these behavioral and social issues which are monitored to decide whether a child has autism. Common symptoms usually have a way of being controlled or managed but can have devastating effects on children’s lives. Burke 3
Treatment is not a term for a person being completely cured of a disease.
Being treated simply means that a person can practically live a normal life while still having some symptoms of the disorder. Some cures are much too complex to obtain for certain disorders or illnesses. Some children may need continuous rehabilitation to learn to cope with having autism. As the NAA states, “Currently there is no cure for autism, though with early intervention and treatment, the diverse symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved and in some cases completely overcome (NAA 1).” Children who are involved in some type of program for autistic kids usually forget about their health problems and act almost as if they are a normal child. Treatments should be altered to help children with the symptoms as they grow older. The rehabilitations aren’t the same for a teenager as they are for a young infant which means that over the course of the child’s life, they should be adjusted for more complicated tactics to assist the brain in developing correctly over time. Researchers explain, “During adolescence, some children with an ASD may become depressed or experience behavioral problems, and their treatment may need some modification as they transition into adulthood (NINDS 1).” The treatments for a young child should not be used for an adult. When a family becomes involved in the research and coping with autism, they can then learn how to properly care for the child. Some studies show,
“Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with an ASD often helps the families cope with the particular challenges of living with a child with an ASD (NINDS 1).” Treatment is possible for children. The National Autism Association explains that autism can be treated and the child’s symptoms may decrease if they receive treatment at an early state (NAA 1). When they’re diagnosed with autism at a very young age, it allows doctors to quickly evaluate and find ways of helping the child at an early age. The younger a child is, the better the
Burke 4 treatments usually work. If the child is older, the disorder has gone on longer without much notice and the child may not be as susceptible for a complete transformation. The treatment and therapy for autism also comes with needing knowledge of the disease and how it affects others. Autism is known worldwide as a behavioral disorder, and parents who have autistic children should know some statistics about it. Some children with autism have speech issues or impediments. These could vary from a simple lisp or a stutter, to the child becoming completely mute. Research tells, “About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%-30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood (NAA 1).” If the parent giving birth is older, the child is more likely to have autism. Statistics show, “A study found that women who are 40 years old have a 50 percent greater risk of having a child with autism than women who are between 20 and 29 years old (NAA 2).” If a child has a mild/unnoticed case of a disorder, certain chemicals can bring it out. The NAA states, “Scientists think that chemicals in pesticides may adversely affect those who are genetically predisposed to autism, leading them to develop the full blown disorder (NAA 2).” Autism is also related to epilepsy, which may occur in children with autism. Studies show that epilepsy is more likely to occur in children who had decreasing vocabulary proficiency before becoming three years old (NINDS 3). Autism has many statistics that a parent should look into when their child is first diagnosed. These can help parents learn more about the disorder and what to expect with their own children. Children who have been diagnosed with autism can live a relatively normal life. They may still have problems and health issues related to the disorder, but they can reverse most of the
Burke 5 symptoms and perform everyday tasks that they normally weren’t meant to do. There will always be a struggle in their life because they can’t do everything on their own. They’ll always need someone to help them through certain situations, but they can still live on their own, have jobs and attend school. Autism doesn’t always prevent people from having the life of an average person, it just makes it harder. Children overcome the symptoms of autism every day and make it through as if nothing is wrong with them.