Autism Spectrum Disorder also known as ASD is a neurological disorder and also a developmental disorder which affects a persons ability to function properly which includes communication, behavioral, physical and learning.
The word "spectrum" in ASD means it is a wide range disorder that does not discriminate between gender, race, economic background and ethnicity. ASD also is a disorder that is different for everyone. Some might have different symptoms, experiences and treatments for their ASD.
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023)
Signs and Symptoms of ASD
Little to no eye contact
Non response when named called
Toe walking
Lack of coordination
Difficulty with speech
Trouble with sleep
Organizing toys/objects to certain categories which include color, shape, number
Overly interested in certain objects/toys
Lack of social skills
Hard time understanding emotions, facial features and gestures
Sensitive to sounds, foods, material of clothing, textures and lights
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023)
Disability Impacts Development
The way ASD impacts development is because the neurological issues an ASD person has in their brain which slows their development down. Each person with ASD is affected differently by this disorder. Some people with ASD have a lack of gross and fine motor skills, verbal and non verbal, lack of identifying social cues, emotions and facial expressions and also hard time regulating their emotions which can lead to disruptive and/or aggressive behavior, lack of joint attention.
There are so many delays that are associated with ASD because the disorder deals with the brain function of an individual and how each individual receives and processes information and/or lack of.
Disability Impacts Cognitive Skills
ASD impacts the cognitive skill because the lack of attention individuals have when it comes to ASD. Some individuals have issues with focusing, paying attention, transitioning to things, organizing time and understanding time. Every person with ASD will experience different difficulties and struggles when it comes to their ASD. The brain is the communication board of the party and when the brain is over working or under working. It will cause issues in every part of a person whether it is fine and gross motor skills, language and learning.
Disability Impacts Emotions
Emotions are impacted by ASD because they have a hard time with regulation because some individuals lack communication. They use very strong emotions because they are frustrated that no one understands what they are trying to say or communicate with someone. That is when aggressive behavior can come into play because they verbally cannot express how they feel so sometimes they resort to being aggressive to objects, others and self. ASD individuals also have a hard time understanding other peoples emotions as well. They do not understand what can be mad, sad, happy. They can get confused on the emotions or make the wrong emotions at a certain setting. It is their way of understanding and processing.
Facts on Autism Spectrum Disorder
There is no "cure" for ASD but there are interventions and therapies that can help with symptoms of the individual
Boys are 4 times likely to have ASD than girls
1 in every 68 children in the US are affected by ASD
We still do not know the cause of ASD but some research out states it could be environmental, genetic, early brain development that can play a role in ASD
(U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2020)
AUTISM IS A DIFFERENCE, NOT A DISABILITY!
References:
Autism is a difference, not a disorder: Katie Forbes: TEDxAberdeen. YouTube. (2022, December 15). https://youtu.be/sgOIGv2Vvvs?si=2uG7TWFDtvYxi1eF
Coxon, S. (2023, February 14). The UK’s dedicated send Job Board. senploy. https://www.senploy.co.uk/blog/2021/4/19/the-impact-of-autism-in-learning-and-development
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2020, November 4). 10 facts about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Administration for Children and Families. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ecd/10-facts-about-asd
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, February). Autism spectrum disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd#part_2281
Comments
Post a Comment