Causes Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects one in forty-five children. These children affected tend to be american males. Diagnosis of ASD continue to rise every year. The three main pillars of ASD are: impaired social interactions, communications (both verbal and nonverbal), and restricted or repetitive actions. Most people diagnosed with ASD fall into the categories of: Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), or Autistic Disorder (AD, also referred to as “classic autism”). Unfortunately, ASDs do not have a cure but can be improved with treatment and medications. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a category of autism. PDD-NOS
first requires being diagnosed with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People diagnosed with PDD-NOS are medium to high functioning (compared to people with “classic” autism). The person affected may also be experiencing mild cognitive issues. Language delay also prevents an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis. Children with PDD-NOS vary widely with abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Others with PDD-NOS speak with limited phrases. Some children will even have a regular vocabulary for their age. Adults with PDD-NOS are no different than children with the condition, other than being diagnosed later in life. Patients with PDD-NOS are referred to by practitioners as “atypical autism”.
People affected by PDD-NOS suffer emotional breakdowns due to the worry the brain gives off.
The brain will gives off odd energy that can be interpreted to the body as “Ek! Do something to stay sane!”. A person may flap their hands, twist their hair, tap their foot, or jump. My brother, Jonathan, tended to jump when his brain worried. Jonathan received the nickname “Jumping Johnny”. However, he feels a wide range of emotions (happy, sad, etc.). All of these emotions signal the “stay sane” command to the body. People affected with PDD-NOS tend to have difficulty with change (school teacher, hair stylist, waiter, new tutor, etc.). This may result in individual activities or having a fascination with odd objects (twirl, tap, hold, etc.) which is called “stimming”. One affected may also experience inappropriate social behaviors or uneven skill development in the areas of motor sensory, visual-spatial organizational, cognitive, social and academic failure, and behavioral
awkwardness. Language delay also prevents an Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) diagnosis. Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder affecting the ability to effectively socialize and communicate. The patient must be diagnosed young. This early diagnosis is crucial for treatment. Unfortunately, a child remains undiagnosed until he/she is having a very difficult time in school and doing day to day tasks. People who are affected tend to show typical language development. AS lasts a lifetime, but the neurological disease is a high functioning diseases meaning, the person can perform day to day task on their own (get dressed, make themselves breakfast, talk, etc.).
People with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to be “conversation hogs” and only want to discuss topics that are interesting to themselves. Furthermore, people with AS have a robust time understanding the intent behind another's actions (words, feelings, body language etc.). A person with aspergers has a lack of eye contact, often using high prescription eyeglasses. A person will also have an obsession with unusual objects (toys, buttons, a series, etc.). The main way Asperger’s Syndrome affects people is thru social-development issues. Patients have awkward movements and gestures.
Finally, Autism Disorder is known as the “classic” autism.
Classic Autism is the most severe form of Autism. AD affects people as early as 18 months of age. AD shares the same symptoms as Aspergers and PDD-NOS, just to a greater degree. Currently, AD is incurable. Many people with AD may never speak at all which results in a social function problem. Though, symptoms may improve with treatment and medication. AD comes with a social function problem. A person will have a hard time making friends because words are limited if at all. Children with AD will have no babbling at the age of one. A young child will have still no words by the age of sixteen months of age. Through the years, the child will physically age normally; unlike his/her social
skills.
Children tend to have few interests and avoid as many social tasks as possible. Kids often get nervous, resulting in the brain sending an odd response to the nerves. The nerves take that message and form the command into an action, sending the message along to the muscles. This pattern is similar to the game “telephone”. In the game “telephone” a message is passed through players and is often reinterpreted at the end of the round. As in “telephone”, the muscles reply inappropriately in the forms of: hitting, rocking, jumping, spinning, or running. Sadly, this often result in self-harm. Symptoms may improve with behavior treatment and medication. As a sister to an autistic brother, autism has affected our family. My brother has suffered from bullying at school.When my dad died, John (my autistic brother) “locked” everyone out emotionally. No one was allowed “in” for numerous days. However, John always is so kind. He brings the funny side of autism to the table when I am sad. He always wants to help. As a family, we have gone to Lynn University for lectures about autism. Autism Speaks is an amazing group of doctors, volunteers, and parents. They introduced to us a local car wash, Rising Tide, that has only autism employees. Many adults with a form of autism want to have a job. Often times, autistic adults are denied because of how they talk or act. Rising tide gives them a wage higher than minimum wage and is an encouraging environment. After the seminar, we went to Rising Tide to receive a full service car cleaning service. The company did an amazing job with our car and encourages the workers to wash like there is no tomorrow; and the employees do just that!
In conclusion, autism is a neurological condition affecting many people all over the nations. This disease can cost a family thousands of dollars a year. These high prices are for medications, therapy, assistance, special gadgets, and doctors. Autism is a disease with three main categories. PDD-NOS, AS, and AD are the leading classifications of autism. Autism is disease that affects a lifetime.