Introduction
According to Society for the
Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC)-
“Autism is a life long
neuron-developmental disorder which usually appears is a child by the age of
three, although some characteristic features may be present even on first
birthday”.
Two most years there is something of melancholy in the very sound of the
words “Loneness,” “Alone”, “Solitary” and “Solitude” itself. This is because
man is a “social animal” and naturally longs for the company of his fellows.
Men are liked such animals as deer, cattle, and sheep, that live together in
hands and flocks; and so most man feel lost and miserable when cut off from all
human society. Hence, as a rule, man dread solitude. This feeling about
solitude is well experience by the Autistic children.
All parents want
a favorable environment for their own child and also healthy, sweet and normal
child suitable to that very environment. Hence, the parents become anxious
about the normal growth of the child even before its birth. The baby develops
gradually in accordance with its age. But when at the age two or two and half
years, the conversation or language development or exchange of communication of
the child legs behind in proportionate to its age, when it plays by its own
choice or feels attraction to the similar objects, then anxious arises in the
minds of parents. They come close to doctor who terms the baby as' Autistic
Child' after observation.
Autism is the name of a disease of the brain. The cause and exact
treatment for its complete cure is not yet known. At present, autism is a
incarnate panic for the parents throughout the world. The number of autism
affected children is increasing rapidly in the world. It is also increasing in Bangladesh
at an alarming rate. In this epoch of information technology, we should acquire
correct knowledge about autism, its provable treatment and necessary preventive
steps.
Bangladesh id an over and thickly
populated country of the Asian continent. The identify of it to the world is a
developing country. The population of this country is about 14.70 cores. About
934 persons live in each per square mile. The people of this country have to
lead lives by facing the various natural disaster, illiteracy, poverty; ill
health and unemployment are the daily associates of the people here. About 10%
of the total population of Bangladesh
is disabled [NFOWD: 2003:248]. According to world estimated there are about 14
million disable people in Bangladesh and most of it are children.[ Delhi conference:2008].
Work with disability started in Bangladesh from 1977 but the
services are still very limited. According to UNESCO 2% of the disable
population receive any survive in developing countries and the situation is no
better in Bangladesh.
The ministry of social welfare has introduced disability allowance and 10%
quota in the job market for disable over two years ago but things have not
improved much at all. About 500 organizations are working with disability all
over the country services for the disabled are mainly concentrated in the
capital city. There are several schools caterings for disabled children in Bangladesh and about 20 are working in the
capital city of Dhaka.
Every child has a right to education. But the general education system in Bangladesh
does not eater for the needs of the disabled children, Let alone the ones with
autism.
There is widespread ignorance, prejudice and superstition about
disability in the society, especially between the illiterate and poor. In the
most cases in rural areas and slums, children with autism and other
disabilities are kept hidden or taker to priests for prayers and treatments as
they think the children are possessed. That's why we have to realize that
disability or children with autism is not a curse. All of us should come
forward with Love and care to our chosen friends.[[1]].
The world civilizations are now
21st century, the age of new technology and discovery innovation and wonders.
The people of 21st century are faced challenges of which one of the most
critical issues is disability. Although it was identified in 1943, Autism is
still relatively unknown disability. Autism is literally a hidden disability in
Bangladesh
because it is still not recognized as a Separate disability in by the
government or other organizations. Disabilities are categorized as follows:
physical, visual, hearing, speech and intellectual. NGO's are trying to
establish autism as separate disability. Only a few NGO's then can address the
rights and needs of the person’s effort to sensitize and Disorder (ASD). They
(NGO's) are making every effort to sensitize and development program for the
benefit of children with autism through ministries of' Social Welfare' and '
Women and Children's Affairs'.
There is no data available to know the extract prevalence or autism in
Bangladesh. It is estimated that on child in 50is affected by autism. Which
means the approximate number of ASD’s in Bangladesh
is no less than 28000 [ Anwar Hossain: An overview of Autism in Bangladesh: 15 January 2008]. In
the United State, there are at least 4, 00000
people with autism, about one third of who are children. Autism is one of the
most retardation, epilepsy and cerebral palsy occur move frequently. Although
‘classic’ autism occur in about 4 to 5 of every 100 children, a broader
definition including children with less severe but still significant symptoms
valises the incidence to about 16 out of 1000 children. Children with the most
severe form of this discover provably make up only about 2 to 3 percent of
children with autism in our country or society like as its kind of mental
retardation. Actually autism is not occurring from any kind of trauma or
emotional weakness. It’s a special type of physiological discover. Innumerous
people are helplessly suffering with their autistic children.
‘There is no known single cause for autism but it is generally accepted
that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure of function. Autism may
not be completely curable but if an autistic child is helped properly and
treated with patience his/her condition can improve dramatically. It all
depends on the combined efforts to the parents, teacher, neighbors and
relatives and awareness from society as a whole Einstein was an autistic and so
was Leonardo Ad Vinci. They could improve their condition through combined effort
[star weekend magazine, January 18, 2008].
Children with autism are one of the most widespread problems in the
world, and it has become one of the most visible and articulated social issuers
in Bangladesh.
At present, the children with autism have been a major concern for government,
donors, NGOs and other civil society groups in Bangladesh. After all if we like to
address the problem the combined efforts to the parents, teacher, neighbors,
and relatives and awareness from society as a whole are required.
Family, creating among the all sections of the people, United Nations
has declared April 2, 2008 as “World Autism Awareness Day”. First World Autism
Awareness Day and 10th National day for the people with disabilities
was observed in the country at April 2, 2008 with a view to creating awareness
about autism and developing the autism children through behavioral intervention
[The Daily Star, April 3, 2008]. For providing education, training and
rehabilitating them through appropriate intervention, two non-profit
organizations were established in Chittagong and
Mirpur at Dhaka, named Autistic Children
Welfare Foundation. Bangladesh
[ACWFB]. [April 12, 2008, the Daily Star].
Rationality of the Study:
The rational for why present study is conducted has been shown under the
coverage of following points of view:
Autism is one of the most widespread problems in the world. This problem
is arising alarmingly in Bangladesh
day by day. Over the most decade autism has become one of the most visible and
articulated social issues in Bangladesh.
But today all sections of the society are not concern about the issue. Even
people of our country are not able to realize the situation. So, the people of Bangladesh
need to knowledge about Autism.
A large number of children affect autism. But we think they affect
‘Bengali term- Voute Dora (Holding ghost)” or mad and don’t treat proper
treatment.
I want to build up awareness of autism among Bangladeshi.
The parents of autistic children are frustrated by the child’s inability
to communicate; impulsiveness; emotional unresponsiveness; self-destructive
behavior and eating and toileting problems. The parents of autistic children
need guideline to cope their children.
The study will provide the basis weather there is any necessity of
changing the present attitude of the family with the answer of where and how
much.
The study will determine the role of the society, NGO, Government and family
towards the autistic children.
Objectives of
the Study:
- Demographic condition of the autistic children;
- Familial condition of autistic children;
- To know about education and care management of autistic children
- To know previous social and mental condition before taking education and care
- After taking education and care how an autistic child adjust with society.
- To reveal the opinion of the guardians of autistic children.
- To know the difference between Autistic children and general children.
- To inform the government, non-government helps for Autistic children at present.
- To know the opinion of the guardian for solving the problems of Autistic children.
- To compose the recommendations for developing their conditions by the given information and opinion.
Hypothesis of the Study:
This study starts with the general premise that Autistic children in Dhaka are unable to proper support from their house and
state or both. The current situation of autism is very painful in our society.
A number of assumptions are made as probable. Answers to the research questions
and the above incapacities of the study groups. This research with examine for
evidence either to prove or disprove there assumptions or to expand theory. It
postutolates that.
Hypothesis-1:
The relation between the Autistic children and their family relation are
not well.
Hypothesis-2:
Autistic children and socio-cultural impact on Bangladesh Society.
Hypothesis-3:
It has been taken some rules and regulation for autistics children by
government.
Methodology of the study:
This study is a data exploratory
sample survey with qualitative study based on case study and in-depth
interview.
Field Site:
The area has been selected the Dhaka City.
This study was based on five autism related organization; namely Society for
the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC), Society for the Intellectual Disabled
(SWID), Autistic Children Welfare Foundation (ACWF), Autism Welfare Foundation
(AWF) , Institution of Education and Research Center (IER);
Population of the Study:
All the Autistic children of Society for the Welfare of Autistic
Children (SWAC), Autistic Children Welfare Foundation (ACWF), Autism Welfare
Foundation (AWF), Institution of Education and Research Center (IER), Society
for the Intellectual Disabled (SWID), IN Dhaka city were included in this
study.
Sample and Sampling Technique:
The present study is conduct on the basis of sample survey. The samples
are taken simply at random and 50 Autistic children are selected.
Sources of Dada:
Information, Necessary for the study was collected from primary source.
Autistic children’s guardians, teachers and five organizations related autism,
Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC), Autistic Children Welfare
Foundation (ACWF), Autism Welfare Foundation (AWF), Institution of Education
and Research Center (IER), Society for the Intellectual Disabled (SWID), Dhaka
were the source of information.
Technique an Instrument of
Data collection:
Two collect data interview schedule was applied as instrument. Using the
interview schedule, written in Bangali a comprising both structure an
unstructured questions was collected by direct interview technique.
Data processing, analysis and
interpretation:
After adequate collection of information, its has been edited,
classified on the basis of several characteristics, summarized and organized
for the purpose of the study. Processed data is analyzed by the help of SPSS
and manually, after processing and analyzing of data, it was accordingly
interpreted.
Operational definition of the
study:
Autism:
Autism is the development constraints of the brain which is generally
noticed within the age of three of child’s birth. Consequently, there lies
hindrance in exchanging language with other, in establishing social
relationship and in power of sensibility etc. Autism is not a mental disease.
Autistic Children:
Children affected with autism are termed as autistic children. Quick
diagnosis and intervention on manner can influence a notable permanent positive
impact on the total development of the autistic children. Autistic children can
highly be benefited from a proper education and care action.
Social and Mental Development:
In this study, social and mental development means behavior and
interactions with family and peers, adjustment to different environments and
social and communication skill of an autistic child.
Education and Care Management:
Education and care are the rights of every human being. Here, education
and care management mainly means a special and specific education and care
action that should be provided only for autistic children. Because close
communication with others involved in our child’s education and care will help
all concerned. The best treatment for children with autism is a term approach
and a consistent, structured program of education and care management.
Literature Review:
Internet was the primary sources of information. In internet, we
collected about autism, types, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of autism and
the research work of the researcher. We also collected many articles,
bulletins, bruisers, magazines and autism organization’s report from relevant
field
Ø A research paper of “autism and psycho-social
condition of autistic children of Bangladesh”. - Sheikh Mahbubur
Rahman (August 2006).
In the world civilization of twenty first
century, we are engaging our selves with high advantage by using new technology
where as Autism are an unknown disability. The research work has been done for
the objective to know the knowledge, attitude and practices of Autistic
children of Bangladesh.
Autism is an unknown disability to the people
of Bangladesh.
Many of them think that they affect ‘Bengali term- Voute Dhora (Holding ghost).
And so they don’t give proper treatment. This kind
of child is acquainted with their family as burden. As their interacting and
adjustment power is low, they need help for everything. The research has led
for the rationality of awareness about autism.
In the research, two organizations have
selected for the collection of data. These are Society for the Welfare of
Autistic Children (SWAC) and National Autistic Society (NAS). Researcher used
the methodology of case study and interview for data collection.
In the study, maximum number of respondents (50%)
was mother of the autism child, while minimum number of respondents (10%) was
others (grandfather, grandmother, sister etc). 40% of respondents were father.
In the study, it was observed that mother of autistic child is playing an
important role for the child. IN the study, 80% of children with autism were
boys and only 20% were girls, 40% respondents mentioned age 1 to 3 years in the
first diagnosis age of child with autism. Maximum number of the autistic
children (40%) mentioned the type of communicates verbally ‘speak’ while
minimum number of the autism children (10%) mentioned the type of
communications verbally both meaningless word/sound and weep. 80% of other
family members on their autistic children helped to take care of autistic
children. 70% of respondents answered that autism can’t be cured. But they
expected that cure would be invented in future.
Ø In 2000 D. Power edited a study “Children with
Autism: A Parents Guide”. This study was conducted for the parents of children
with autism. Asperser’s Disorder and related conditions.
This edited text book based on ten experience
writer’s article. The study examined the thousands of families of children and
adults with autism and expressed parent’s statement. The study also informed
about autism, its types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment etc. ‘Yours Child
Development’ chapter provided with some of information that would need in order
to influence child’s development most effectively.
‘Finding the Right Early Intervention and
Educational Programs’ chapter was designed to ease entry into the world of
early intervention and special education. It presented an overview of common
placement option in special educational programs and reviews the evaluation and
eligibility process.
Ø Attwood’s (1997) study entitled “Asperser’s
Syndrome :
A guide for
parents and professionals”. This book detailed the characteristics of
Asperger’s Disorder and outlines approaches to reducing undesirable behavior
and included a useful question and answer section, diagnostic criteria and an
extensive research guide.
Autism er Neel Jagat; Mohammad Nazmul Haque, Md. Mahabub Morshed;
Publisher- Tofazzal Hossain, Bishwa Shahitwa Bhaban, Bangla Bazar, Dhaka-1100.
In The book the authors have shown the causes, symptoms, effects of
autism, statistical data of autism and several other data that have helped me
in my thesis.
News wise 2008- A study led by researchers at the University of Southern
California (USC) and Vanderbilt University have identified a specific gene variant
that links increased genetic risk for autism with gastrointestinal (GI)
conditions. The findings suggest that disrupted signaling of the MET gene may
contribute to a syndrome that includes autism and co-occurring gastrointestinal
dysfunction, says principal investigator Pat Levitt. Ph.D. director of the
Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the keek school of Medicine
of USC and chair- designate of the Department of cell and neurobiology.
The disabled, Special education demanding children, Rumiz Uddin Ahamed,
Hasina Morshed and Farida Aktar, Mita Traders, Published- July,2010
They tried to show in the above book that the autistic children are
socially very indifferent or self-centered, repetitive or busy with
self-stimulating behavior and lack a significant sub-edition behavior.
Moreover, the subject of
their discussion has become helpful for my thesis.
The Prothom Alo, Journal’ 4 April 2012, The Prothom Alo: Various report
published on 4 April 2012 in the Journal have made my research paper very easy.
Ø In 1999 Myles conducted a study entitled “
Asperger’s Syndrome and difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums,
Rage and Meltdowns”. A brief guide to managing problem behavior in children
with Asperger’s Disorder and other PDDs,
using functional analysis. This book wrote for teachers, also useful to
parents.
All of this research was worth it. Here’s how
it’s helped his son:
Alex before he did his research
|
Alex today after a lot of research
|
||
1.
|
No real friends
|
1.
|
Several close personal friends
|
2.
|
Unable to handle change
|
2.
|
Handles changing situations well
|
3.
|
Can’t play with friends
|
3.
|
Plays well with friends
|
4.
|
No therapist
|
Great therapist
|
|
5.
|
Thought everyone hated him
|
5.
|
Understand that people love him
|
6.
|
Lack of self esteem
|
6.
|
Proud of his accomplishment
|
7.
|
Little cooperation
|
7.
|
Full cooperation
|
8.
|
Very disorganized
|
8.
|
Learned organization skills
|
The researcher mentioned that although his
story has a positive ending, he met many people during his research whose
stories had not ending well. They were struggling to make it through each day,
constantly sick with worry that something horrible would happen to their loved
one before the autism was brought under control.[[2]]
Ø Howlin’s “Children with Autism and Asperger’s
Syndrome: A guide for Practitioners and Careers” (1998) wrote for
professionals, but of use to parents. This study presented a comprehensive look
at autism and Asperger’s disorder, covering all the major issue of treatment,
education and behavior.
Autism: A Conceptual Framework:
Most of us are unfamiliar with the concept of autism or if we have
heard, do not have the distinct idea. Although it was identified in 1943,
autism is still a relatively unknown disability; children and adults with
autism are unable to relate to other in a meaningful way, their capacity to
understand other person’s feelings. Autism is a life long developmental
disability threat prevents individuals from properly understanding what they
see, hear and otherwise sense. These results in severe problems relating to
social relationship, communication and behavior. Autism spectrum disorders
(ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities that are caused by a
abnormality in the brain that often makes it hard to communicate with and
relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work
together.
“ Autism is a complex disorder of
the central nervous system that has the following three defining core features:
a) Problems with interactions; b) impaired verbal and non-verbal communication,
and c) a pattern of repetitive behavior with narrow, restricted interests.”
According to
Sharmin Haq and Asim Das
[Source: The Dhaka
University Journal of
Psychology, 2007, Vol-3, P-111]
American Psychiatric Association Said-
“Autism is considered a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) which
refers to sever and pervasive impairment in several areas of development:
reciprocal social interaction skills, communication skills, or the presence of
stereotyped behavior, interests and activities.”
Dunlop & Buaton-Pierce (1999) said-
“Autism is a behavior based syndrome and its definition is based on the
behaviors a person displays that has this type of disorder.”
Autistic Children’s Welfare Foundation,
Bangladesh
(ACWFB) said-
“Autism is a life long developmental disorder that causes qualitative
abnormalities in reciprocal social interactions, patters of communication and
rigidities in thinking and behaviors. It is characterized by a qualitative
impairment in verbal and non-verbal communication, in imaginative actively and
in reciprocal social interaction. Individual with autism is often described as
being completely indifferent to the world around them, living only within
them.”
Autism remains a challenging condition for individuals and their
families. But the prognosis today is much better than it was a generation ago.
At that time, most people with autism were placed in institutions. Today, with
appropriate therapy, many of the symptoms of autism can be improved, though
most people will have some symptoms throughout their lives. Most people with
autism are able to live with their families or in the community. The prognosis
for individuals depends on the degree of their disabilities and on the level of
therapy they receive.
Historical Background:
Autism is considered a very common development disorder, which appears
one in every 160 children. [National Institute
of Mental Health-NIMH;
star weekend; 18 July 2008]. However, it was not identified with a separate
name until the middle of the both century when Dr. Leo Kenner (1943) in the
united states identified and described this specific disorder as a infantile
autism and Hans Asperger’s (1944) in Germany described a similar type of disorder
which was named Asperger’s syndrome. [Mayes and Callous 2003].
Autism has a long past but a short history. As early as the late
eighteenth century medical texts described cases of children who did not speak,
were extremely aloof and who possessed unusual memory skill. But it was not
until 1943 that the condition was given a name in the year, Dr. Leo Kanner
described the common characteristics of 11 children he had studied between 1938
and 1943. These children shared several features, the most notable of which was
extreme isolation or withdrawal from human contact beginning as early as the
first year of life. So Kanner was convinced that autism was present from birth
or shortly there after that he adopted the terms “early infantile autism”.
In 1799, a French doctor, J.M.G. Itard, was given change of a boy about
twelve years old, known as Victor that “wild boy of Aveyron” who had been found
wandering and living wild in the woods. The child’s behavior was very abnormal.
Itard be isolated from humans from an early age. Pine, another eminent doctor
of the time, disagreed with Itard over this and believed that the boy was
severely mentally retarded from birth, reading the story, now it is possible to
see that victor behaved like an autism child. Some people have suggested that
he was autistic because he was abandoned in infancy. It seems much more likely
that he was separated from or abandoned by his parents in the troubled times
following the French Revolution, because he was autistic and difficult to manage
and not the other any pound. [Lorna wing; 1980:2]. Over a century later, in
1919 an American psychologist, Lightner Witmer, wrote an article about Don, a
boy of two years and seven months who also behaved like an autistic child.
In naming this condition, Kanner borrowed the term from a Swiss
Psychiatrist named Eugen Bleuler in 1911. In his writings, Bluler used the term
“Autism” to withdraw from hostile, unnurturing human world and were afflicted
with a disorder similar schizophrenic.
In 1962, the first society for parents and interested professional
workers was set up in the United
Kingdom subsequently such associations have
been formed in many different countries
[Lorna Wing; 1980:3].
Now autism is considered a spectrum disorder (ASD) as it comprised of
disorders in there major developmental areas such as speech, communication and
serial interaction; impairments show a variety of characteristics as well as
the complexity of the disorder which may range from mild to severe [Autism
Today, 2005]. Still today, the causes and treatment of autism is a subject for
research and different researcher findings suggest that it can be caused by
both genetic and environmental factors [More,2005; Autism Today, 2005]. There
are a number of development disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome and Rell’s
disorders that have similar characteristics as autism, but at the same time,
are very much distinct from each other. [American psychiatric
Association-APA,2000; More, 2005].
Although autism still remains somewhat of a mystery, much progress has
been maid in understanding how it affects children. More works remains to be
done, but today the stereotypes and myths of the past that so hurt parents and
families are being replaced by facts. [Power, 2000:39]
Today, we know that this is not true. Children with autism d not
withdraw because they feel rejected. Unfortunately, many parents particularly
mother were labeled cold, ungiving, unnurturing ‘refrigerator parents’ who had
in large past caused their child’s autism. There were also persistent notions
that autism was more common in families of higher socio-economic status.
Needless to say now know this is wrong; autism affects children of all classes,
nationalities, races.
Types of Autism:
The condition “autism” is really one of a set of five closely related
conditions. These five conditions which all share symptoms, fall under the
board diagnostic umbrella called “Pervasive Developmental Disorders” or PDD.
According to the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual, which is the standards reference manual used in diagnosing autism.
There are five types of PDD.
a) Childhood Autism
b) Aspersers
c) Rests disease
d) Childhood disintegrates.
e) PDD NOS or pervasive developmental disorder not
other wise specified. (Power; 2009:9).
This section will give general guidelines, providing a superficial
understanding of the differences between these above-mentioned disorders. A
better, more specific understanding of these disorders is given by the specific
DSM IV criteria for each disorder.
a)
Childhood autism:
This syndrome always presents before 36 months of age. These children
may have speech developmental and social interactive regression, usually around
18 months of age. The diagnosis of childhood autism must meet the specific DSM
IV criteria and will therefore present with poor eye contact, pervasive
ignoring, language delay, and other features, per definition, these children
will have a severe impairment in speech, communication, or social interaction.
May of them will be completely non-verbal and “in their own world”.
- Impaired Social Interaction:
Children with autism seem to live in their own world. They may not seek
out the company of other children or adults, and may relate to other people
even their own parents and siblings-as objects or tools rather than as people.
Children with autism have a very hard time-sharing the enjoyment of their
experiences with others. In many ways children with autism do not understand
that their own enjoyment and experience can be made more fun if shared with
someone else.
- Impaired Communication:
Children with autism often do not communicate with the people in their
world in typical way. It can be very difficult to engage them in conversation
or to obtain information from them verbally.
- Repetitive, Stereotypic or odd patterns of Behavior, Unusual Interests or Responses to the Environment:
Children
with autism often have intense interests and preferences that are quite
difference from other children. Many of these children become agitated by
people, objects and situations that appear be gain to the rest of us.
[Power,2000;12-13]
b)
Asperser’s Syndrome:
First described by Hans Asperser of Vienna in 1944. Whose work
was not generally known in English translation until 1981, the disorder was not
listed in the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Asperesr’s share with autism a severe and
sustained impairment in social interaction, and restricted and repetitive
patterns of behavior and interests. But people with Asperser’s do not have the
significant delays in language, cognition, self help skills or adaptive
behavior that are typical in autism; they are often physically clumsy and
awkward, more obviously than children with easily or early, and may be misdiagnosed
as Tourists syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiance.
Disorder, Attention Defiance.
As with autism, the disorder may be the largest type on the autism spectrum,
affecting 35 in every 1000 people.
People with Aspersers may have an exceptional
talent or skill with which they are preoccupied. It is conjectured that several
people of remarkable genius may have had Asperser’s including Albeit Einstein,
Vladimir Nabokor, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Bela Bartok and Andy Warhol of Canadian
interest is a front page story in the globe and Mail (1st February
2000) entitled “Was Glenn Gould autistic” The possibility that Aspersers
Syndrome could explain Goulds social deficiencies, obsessive perfectionism and
intolerance of change was raised in the 1996 biography by psychiatrist peter
Oswald, Glenn Gould; The Ecstasy and tragedy of Genius and is now elaborated by
the musicologist timothy Maloney. Gould was acutely sensitive to light, sound
and temperature, and had a phobia about shaking hands as well as a limited
range of preference foods. His bizarre mannerisms as a concert. [Lorna Wing:
1980]
These are kids with a form of autism that
affects language less, yet there are difficulties with appropriate speech and
communicative development. Mostly, however, these children have social
interaction difficulties and impairments related to a restricted, repetitive,
stereotype behavior. These kids may have very high IQs may do very well
academically, have a superior memory for “unimportant” details, such as the
birth dates of all baseball players, some historical or A typical example of a
child with Asperses syndrome would be that of a child who has some odd
behaviors, poor eye contact, “sluggish” social interaction abilities. And an
extreme interest in a central topic such as a washing machine.
The child likes to sit and watch the washing
machine door rotate knows everything about it including its operative and
professional manual and may spend hours preservation about it. Such a child
when he has a play date may try to involve his “friend” in his most exciting
interest (the washing machine) without realizing how boring it is to others and
that will be the end of the play dales forever. This pattern may present itself
in different degrees and circumstances, but the principle is the same: the lack
of the ability to understand how other people perceive what you do, say, or
express with body language.
c)
Childhood disintegrative disorder:
These
are kids who develop normally for the first 3 years of life. Later they seem to
regress and develop some autistic features associated with a severe functioned
impairment these children must be thoroughly evaluated for the possibility of
the development of seizures, affecting the speech areas of the brain or Landau
deferrer syndrome (acquired epileptifor aphasis), where seizure activity “robs”
the brain from previously acquired speech.
Very few children who have an autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) diagnosis meet the criteria for childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).
An estimate based on four surveys of ASD found fewer than two children per
100000 with ASD could be classified as having CDD. This suggests that CDD is a
very rare form of ASD. It has a strong male preponderance. Symptoms may appear
by age 2, but the average age of onset is between 3 and 4 years. Unit this
time, the child has age appropriate skills in communication and social
relationships. The long period of normal development before regression helps
differentiate CDD from Ret syndrome.
The loss of such skills as vocabulary is more
dramatic in CDD than they are in classical autism. The diagnosis requires
extensive and pronounced losses involving motor, language and social skills.
CDD is also accompanied by loss of bond bladder control and oftentimes seizures
and a very low IQ. [Power; 2000:24-25]
d)
Retts disease:
Included under the FDD umbrella is Rett’s disorder. This genetic
condition was first identified 40 years ago by Address Rett, an Austrian
physician and later by Bangt Hagberg-a Swedish physicians. This affects only
girls. These are girls- who develop normally until 6 month of age and regress.
Their regression is associated with microcephaly (small head). The head size
seems to stop growing from 6 months and on, from the time of the observed regression.
Recently a specific chromosomal marker (MEC-P-2) has been associated with this
disorder and is now commercially available in some laboratories. (Power;
2000:15)
e)
Pervasive developmental disorder: not otherwise
specified (FDD;NOS):
PDD:NOS will present similarly to the kids who have autism (some people
argue that these conditions should be combined as one) but will have a lesser
degree of a severe impairment. These kids are more likely to be verbal and have
some degree of verbal or non-verbal effective communication, yet they must have
the autism features (as per the DSM IV criteria) and a severe impairment in
social interaction, communication or repetitive stereotype behavior. This term
is reserved for children with a severe impairment who do not fully qualify for
any other autistic diagnosis, due to age of onset or combination of autistic
features.
The symptoms of Autism:
Autism is a spectrum disorder. The symptoms and characteristics of
autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations from mild to
severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and
adults can exhibit any combination on the behaviors in any degree of severity
[Prospectus: SWAC]. Symptoms almost always start before a child is 3 years old.
Usually, parents first notice that their toddler has not started talking yet
and is not action like other children the same age. Symptoms of autism include:
A delay in learning to talk, or not talking at all. A child may seem to
be deaf, even though hearing tests are normal.
Repeated and overused types of behavior interests and play. Examples
include repeated body rocking, unusual attachments to objects and getting very
upset when routines change.[Internet]
There is no “typical” person with autism. People can have many different
kids of behaviors from mild to severe. Parents often say that their child with
autism prefers to play alone and does not make eye contact with other people.
Autism may also include other problems:
Many children have below-normal intelligence. Teenagers often become
depressed and have a lot of anxiety, especially if they have average or above
average intelligence. Some children get a seizure disorder such as epilepsy by
their teen years.
The symptoms of autism are divided in some areas. Such as-
a) Core symptoms: The severity of symptoms varies
greatly between individuals; however, all people with autism have some core
symptoms in the areas of:
- Social interactions and Relationships:
Symptoms may include; - significant problems developing nonverbal
communication skills, such as eye-to- eye gazing, facial expressions and body
pasture.
Failure to establish friendships with children
the same age.
Lack of interest in sharing enjoyment,
interests or achievements with other people.
Lack of empathy, people with autism may have
difficulty understanding another person’s feelings, such as pain or sorrow.
- Verbal and non-verbal communication: Symptoms may include; Delay in or lack of learning to talk. As many as 50% of people with autism never speak.
Problems
taking steps to start a conversation. Also people with autism have difficulties
continuing a conversation one it has begun.
Stereotyped and repetitive use of language.
People with autism often repeat over and over a phrase they have heard
previously (echolalia). Difficulty understanding their listener’s perspective.
For example, a person with autism may not understand that someone is using
humor. They may interpret the communication word for and fail to catch the
implied meaning.
- Limited interests in activities or play: Symptoms may include; an unusual focus on pieces. Young children with autism often focus on parts of toys, such as the wheel on a car, rather than playing on parts of toys, such as the wheels on a car, rather than playing with the entire toy.
Preoccupation with certain topics. For example, older children and
adults may be fascinated by train schedules, weather pattern or license plates.
A need for sameness and routines. For example, a child with autism may
always need to eat bread before salad and insist on driving the same route
every day to school.
Stereotyped behaviors. These many include body rocking and hand
flapping.
b) Symptoms during childhood: Symptoms of autism
are usually noticed first by parents and other caregivers sometimes during the
child’s first 3 years. Although autism is present at birth (congenital), signs
of the disorder can be difficult to identify or diagnose during infancy.
Parents often become concerned when their toddler does not like to be held;
does not seem interested in playing certain games, such as peek a book; and
does not begin to talk. They also may be confused about their child’s hearing
abilities. It often seems that a child with autism does not hear, yet at other
times, he or she may appear to hear a distant background noise, such as the
whistle of a train.
With early and intensive treatment, most
children improve their ability to relate to others, communicate and help
themselves as they grow older. Contrary to popular myths about children with
autism, very few are completely socially isolated or “live in a world of their
own”.
c) Symptoms during adolescent and teen years:
During the teen years, the patterns of behavior often change. My teens gain
skills but still lag behind in their ability to related to and understand
others. Puberty and emerging sexuality may be more difficult for adolescents
and teens with autism than for others this age. Teens are at a slightly
increased risk for developing problems related to depression, anxiety and
epilepsy.
d) Symptoms in adulthood: Some adulthood: Some
adults with autism are able to work and live on their own. The degree to which
an adult with autism can lead an independent life is related to intelligence
and ability to communicate. At least 33% are able to achieve at least partial
independence.
Some adults with autism need a lot of assistance, specially those with
low intelligence who are unable to speak. Part-or-full-time supervision can be
provided by residential treatment programs. At the other end of the spectrum,
adults with high-functioning autism are often successful in their professions
and able to live independently, although they typically continue to have some
difficulties relating to other people. These individuals usually have average
have average to above-average intelligence.
e) Other symptoms: Many people with
autism have symptoms similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD).But these symptoms, especially problems with social relationship are
more severe for people with autism. About 10% of people with autism have some
form of savant skills-special limited gifts such as memorizing lists,
calculating calendar dates, drawing or musical ability.
Many people wit autism have unusual
sensory perceptions. For examples, they many describe a light touch as painful
and deep pressure as providing a calming feeling. Others may not feel pain at
all. Some people with autism have strong food likes and dislike and unusual
preoccupations.
f) Severity of symptoms: Autism presents
in a wide degree from those whose are nearly dysfunctional and apparently
mentally retarded to those whose symptoms are mild or remedied enough to appear
unexceptional (normal) to the general public. Their peers of then classify
these autistic people as 'nerds'.
g) Low and High functioning: It terms of
both classification and therapy, autistic individuals are of the divided into
those with an IQ<80 referred to as having "low functioning autism
(LFA)". While those with IQ>80 are referred to as having "high
functioning are more generally applied to how well an individuals
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