My area of interest
Years of working with autistic children have made me develop a special interest in studying autism spectrum disorder commonly referred to as autism. Autism is a serious neurodevelopmental condition that weakens people’s ability to interact and communicate (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018). While working with these children, I realized that autism is more than just a disability because it is characterized by repetitive behaviors, the presence of restricted interest and deficits in social communication all of which lead to lifelong impairment. The prevalence rate of autism has been increasing steadily within the past few years. Epidemiological studies speculate that growing awareness, diagnostic substitution and broadened definition are some of the factors contributing to this increment (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018). Currently, there are no preventative or treatment interventions, which have proven to be efficient in curing the symptoms of this condition. For this reason, autism causes lifelong impairment for the patients and a considerable burden on their families and society.
I am interested in this topic because research in this field lags behind that of other medical conditions and psychiatric disorders. The delay is partly attributable to the flawed constructs of this disorder, which accompanied its diagnosis in the early 1940s (Notbohm & Zysk, 2012). Of all, the most serious is the speculation that autism is primarily caused by poor parenting. However, the greatest successful research is that of Dr. Bernard Rimland and peers, which found that autism was a failure of the neurodevelopment and behavioral interventions offer potential benefits (Notbohm & Zysk, 2012). This study combined with new emerging literature taught me that autism is a brain-based disorder with particular abnormalities of brain function and structure.
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What I have learned
I have learned that autism is not only a brain disorder that leads to lifelong impairment, but it is also worse than just a disability. Autism is associated with behavioral problems, lack of social interaction, and communication problems (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018). Typically, the symptoms can be detected between one to two years.
Autistic people exhibit behavioral problems because of the challenges of responding to their surroundings. Generally, their behavior is an effort to communicate their desires, feelings or deal with a situation. These unusual behaviors occur due to their increased sensitivity to something or a sound they may have felt or seen. For these people, spending time in repetitive behaviors and rigidly sticking to routines are some of the ways they use to decrease uncertainty and predict their environment (Notbohm & Zysk, 2012).
People with autism report difficulties or lack of establishing and maintaining social interactions and relationships (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018). These people are unable to respond to the many forms of non-verbal communication which most of us are familiar with such as eye contact, physical gestures and facial expression. Often, they are unable to understand and express their needs and feelings in the same way they cannot understand and interpret the feelings and needs of others. As a result, it hampers their ability to share activities and interests with others. This is the reason why these people appear aloof and distant. Since they have delayed speech and fight to make sense of non-verbal communications, they tend to avoid interaction and instead withdraw into repetitive behavior.
Autistic people experience communication challenges in different ways. Some autistic people can speak fluently while others have impaired speech, and others cannot speak at all. The latter tend to use language in very unusual or unlimited ways. Mostly, their conversations involve repeating others’ words or phrases back at them or asking the same question repeatedly. Other long-term complications include difficulties in maintaining employment, having relationships and doing daily tasks (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018).
The cause of this disorder remains highly uncertain. However, risk factors include having certain genetic conditions and a family history of the conditions. This disorder is diagnosed based on the presenting symptoms. Generally, treatment efforts are individualized to the client’s condition. Medications help in addressing other associated complications. However, no evidence supports the use of medications. Being unable to express their needs and wants is worse than just a disability. Being terrified at everything and suffering from grave social stigma because they repeatedly flap their hands, and grin at others for no reason is worse than just a disability.
A disability is a condition of impairment relative to the normal standard of other people (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018). This term is used to mean sensory impairment, physical impairment, cognitive impairment and other types of chronic diseases. A disability is conceptually a multidimensional experience for the individuals involved. It may affect body parts, organs or a person’s participation in other life areas. This means that there are three dimensions of disability: body function/structure, activity and participation.
Autistic people exhibit different symptoms like unresponsiveness, physical development problems, speech difficulties, inability to understand emotions, learning impairment, perception problems, difficulties in communication and many more. Conversely, people with disabilities can express themselves and healthily communicate with their environment even using signs and symptoms. Autism, a condition that originates from some brain parts that are not working in a synchronized way, cannot be cured (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018).
Autistic people are given special education while the disabled receive standard education. In the case of disability, people have a special and different way of learning. On the other hand, autistic people require specialized training to develop them (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018). These people tend to experience some inability to perceive some concepts, late learning, and sometimes, they may even refuse to learn. With the right training and approach, the disabled people can overcome their disabilities and other related issues and live a normal life. With the right approach and training, those with disabilities can be able to recognize their abilities and become successful people by being motivated in their sphere of interest. It is possible for these people to achieve progress, even if it is slow, in the areas they lack. Therefore, in disabilities, training is crucial to improving the situation.
How what I Learned Has Improved My Ability to Provide Quality Care
I have learned many things, which have changed my understanding of autism. The most important thing is that I will use this knowledge to improve patient care. My understanding of autism has dramatically changed since I started researching for this paper. Because now I have a much-refined picture of the disorder, I will be able to deal with these patients effectively than before. Because I once thought that it was a behavioral disorder and a psychotic disorder, I often medicated it as such by using aversive punishment and heavy pharmaceuticals to stop individuals from engaging in certain weird behaviors. However, after doing this research, I have connected autism to the environment and genetics, and this has greatly influenced how I am going to address it in future.
Though pharmaceutical medications are still being used in most cases, this study has taught me that behavioral and social therapies are the ideal methods of helping autistic individuals (Vaidya, 2016). I can use medications because they are effective in managing the associated symptoms such as irritability. However, I will use therapy interventions because they are highly efficacious in enabling the individual to learn and adapt. I understand that not all forms of therapies can work for all patients. Therefore, I must find the most appropriate therapy for each. Some of the currently available therapies risk losing their effectiveness over time. Since the condition is incurable, if detected as early as possible, the most appropriate therapy will be able to significantly help individuals improve their quality of life throughout their adulthood.
This does not mean that adults suffering from this condition should lose hope. It is also possible for them to improve their quality of life. Studies demonstrate that individuals diagnosed later in life can still be taught skills necessary to succeed by using resources available to them (Vaidya, 2016). One of the resources that I will recommend to my clients includes professional therapists and counselors who will always be there for them together with a comprehensive advice section.
Without researching this paper, I would have never understood this complex condition. I would never be able to improve my knowledge and treatment of autism. However, I have made tremendous progress as this knowledge and research will benefit my clients and even me in the long run. With a better and improved understanding of the condition and treatments, I will continue to improve the lives of countless individuals affected by autism. Delivering such an improved treatment will inevitably result in not only happier but also highly productive society members.
The stigma associated with autism makes it worse than any other form of disability. Disabled people do not necessarily experience behavioral problems, lack of social interaction and communication (Vaidya, 2016). The lack of a precise cause for autism leaves must be explored in this sphere. Theoretical factors like genetic and neurological might demonstrate to be a link to the cause of the disorder (Notbohm & Zysk, 2012). Research indicates that available treatments can only help but not cure autistic people. Examples of these treatments include Vitamin B6. Facilitated communication is a treatment modality that allows autistic people to communicate with others without being frustrated at the inability to communicate (Dell'armo & Tassé, 2018).
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, which makes people lack basic social interaction and communication skills. Autistic people and their families deserve all the support they can get to cope with this condition. By exploring this topic, I have learned more about autism and the stigma and emotions associated with it. Parents of autistic children are forced to start a new life once they discover they are raising an autistic child. Most of these parents experience feelings of loss and hopelessness because of their young autistic kids. Families of autistic children should realize how special these children are and treasure each day they spend with them. Conducting this research involved in writing this paper, I have come to acknowledge that unlike the disabled people, autistic people are living in a world of their own.
References
Dell'armo, K. A., & Tassé, M. J. (2018). The role of adaptive behavior and parent expectations in predicting post-school outcomes for young adults with intellectual disability . http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1512728592831777.
Notbohm, E., & Zysk, V. (2012). Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew: Updated and Expanded Edition . Arlington: Future Horizons.
Vaidya, S. (2016). Autism and the Family in Urban India: Looking Back, Looking Forward . New Delhi: Springer India.
