Running head: AUTISM MYTHS 1
Autism Myths
If a Person Has Autism, They Cannot Have Any Other Condition
Child psychiatrist, Leo Kanner, first described autism in 1943. His observations led to “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact”. In this work, he described the core elements of autism and included in his research was the assertion that “autism was not associated with other medical conditions” (Volkmar, 2008). Kanner may have felt the need to distinguish his description of ‘infantile autismʼ for being misunderstood as“ Childhood Schizophrenia ”since he borrowed the term Autism from “Eugene Bleuler” who had coined it to describe the inward, self-absorbed aspects of schizophrenia in adults” ( Fischbach. 2007). In his paper, “Infantile autism and the schizophrenias,” Dr. Kanner expressed the need for autism to be identified independently from Childhood Schizophrenia citing that one of the features of Schizophrenia is being withdrawn from reality. Kanner argued that “to withdraw” implies that “These children have never participated” (Kanner. 1965). Kanner’s intention may have been to establish autism as a distinct condition but his assertion that autism is not associated with any other medical condition laid the groundwork for one of the many fictions associated with autism.
Contrary Evidence
There’s an overwhelming amount of evidence to disqualify the myth that if one has autism then, they cannot have any other disorder. In fact, Doyle (2013), states that “Autism Spectrum Disorders” can co-occur with any other disorder. It is common to find a person with ASD, who also has any of the following: Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, deafness, blindness, and medical or seizure disorders. According to the Center for Diseases Control, “about 10% of children with autism are also identified as having Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, or other genetic and chromosomal disorders” (CDC, 2012). Down syndrome is a disorder that leads to delays in an individual’s development and learning. It has no cure though individuals with the disorder can get the support that enables them to live an independent and a happy life (Autism Speaks, n.d). The disease occurs due to an additional chromosome 21 in the cells of babies. Some individuals possess a dual diagnosis of autism and Down syndrome, further proving the myth to be untrue.
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C erebral Palsy is a neurological disorder like autism. However, it only affects the body’s movement and the coordination of muscles. According to the article, “ The Intriguing Relationship between Cerebral Palsy and Autis” ASD rates in children with Cerebral Palsy remains elevated compared to the general population (Zwaigenbaum, 2014). The fact that persons with Cerebral Palsy have a higher risk of autism than the general population further proves that autism can co-exist with other medical conditions.
C ognitive impairments are common among people with ASD. According to the International Center for Autism Research and Education, the fact that autism and intelligence levels are disjunctively related means that impeded learning ability may be an additional disorder to ASD and not necessarily a part of the condition (Zwaigenbaum, 2014). As such, it is possible to have an autistic person suffering from independent intellectual challenges. On the other hand, according to the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, although autism is a complication that may portray various signs, it should not be misconstrued to mean a collection of disorders that ASD patients may have.
The screening for hearing or deafness is offered to all babies who are newly born in the United States. The early diagnosis which takes place just some few weeks after birth enhances the babies’ language development and good communication (The National Autistic Society, n.d). Most children with autism are not diagnosed until 3 years of age. This further proves that a person could be diagnosed with deafness early in life and later diagnosed with ASD. It is possible for individuals with autism to also exhibit deafness.
Visual impairment or blindness is intense. In this case, it could be a decreasing or non-existence of visualization that is impossible to correct with contact lenses or spectacles. An infant can be found to be suffering from blindness within the first few weeks of his life, prior to the possibility of being diagnosed with autism (Autism Speaks, n.d). These children may start life while having their sight but lose it later in life or lose their vision via self-injury. Since the loss of sight is common and anyone can suffer from it, it is possible for the autistic persons to lose their vision either through natural causes or self-injury.
Scientists believe that the cause of dyspraxia is due to the manner in which the processing of information takes place in the brain, thereby resulting in information not being fully or properly relayed (The National Autistic Society, n.d). It tampers with the organization of the “things to do” and the procedures of doing them. Dyspraxia is also connected with the difficulties associated with thought process, language, as well as perception. This can be a problem that runs in the family. It is imperative to note that people with autism normally have problems with the coordination of motor skills and therefore, it is crucial for them to be provided with a recognized dyspraxia diagnosis. As with ASD, individuals who have dyspraxia may be under or over sensitive to definite sensory stimuli.
Fragile X Syndrome is the main recognizable root of hereditary disability that affects one’s learning. It affects one in four thousand boys or men as well as, one in six thousand girls or women (The National Autistic Society, n.d). Persons who have Fragile X are likely to possess serene to harsh disabilities in learning. The development of their language and speech may be postponed. They can also experience anxiety when it comes to social circumstances. Habits that relate to the disorder include hand biting or hand flapping, repetitive speech, a need for a common speech, problems associating with people, avoidance of eye contact, over-activity, impulsiveness and short concentration period. Some of the problems faced by individuals suffering from dyspraxia can be observed in autistic individuals though the two disorders have dissimilar diagnosis. However, some individuals can be diagnosed with the two illnesses.
Seizure disorders are more common in adults and children on the autism spectrum. Independently, epilepsy affects about 4% percent of the entire populace (Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, n.d). The prevalence of epilepsy, among individuals with ASD, ranges from 20% to 40% with the highest rates being witnessed among the people who have been severely impaired by the primary symptoms of autism. Close to 5% of the people suffering from epilepsy are also at a high risk of developing autism. Epilepsy and autism share several similarities. The two disorders subsist on a spectrum which means that the rigorousness differs broadly among the affected. Additionally, most of the various abnormal genes are associated with the increased threat of enhancing both or one disorder.
Although there has been a popular misperception that autistic people cannot have any other disorder, it is evident that such patients are even more prone to other secondary conditions. Primarily, autism is accompanied by some complications. For instance, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, blindness, cognitive challenges, deafness, and seizure disorders can all occur among ASD patients. Moreover, some autistic people have normal or boosted mental capacities. This means that instances of cognitive retardation can only be viewed as separate and independent conditions. Studies have indicated that ASD patients may exhibit additional frailties beyond the distinctive three, namely; social challenges, thinking and imagining weaknesses and communication impairment. In such a case, it means that an individual is experiencing symptoms of other conditions.
Recommendations
Based on the literature, it is highly recommended for parents to insist that doctors conduct various independent tests to ascertain the problems that their children may have. For example, it should not be adequate to disqualify other disorders since one is diagnosed with autism. Moreover, more civic education should be provided by the government, health institutions and also the rights groups in order to demystify the existing myths. If such information is availed through schools, churches and other social organizations, stigma and misconceptions about ASD and people with this disorder would greatly decline. Moreover, individuals will gain knowledge about the secondary disorders that may affect individuals suffering from autism and also know how to address them adequately. For that reason, it should be noted that a person with autism can have other medical conditions.
References
Autism Speaks. (n.d). Autism’s Associated Medical Conditions . Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/treatment-associated-medical-conditions
Centers for Disease Control (2012). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder . Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html .
Doyle, B. (2013). Autism spectrum disorder: Myths and facts. Johns Hopkins . Retrieved from http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/Exceptional%20Learners/Autism/Articles/Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorder%20Myths%20and%20Facts/ .
Epilepsy Foundation Michigan (n.d). Epilepsy and Seizure Facts. Epilepsy Foundation Michigan. Retrieved from http://www.epilepsymichigan.org/page.php?id=358
Fischbach , G.D. ( 2007). Leo Kanner ’ s 1943 paper on autism. Spectrumnews.org . Retrieved from https://spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/leo-kanners-1943-paper-on-autism/
Kanner, L. (1965). Infantile autism and the schizophrenias . Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from http://neurodiversity.com/library_kanner_1965.html
International Center for Autism Research and Education (n.d.). Autism overview. International Center for Autism Research and Education . Retrieved from http://www.icare4autism.org/what-is-autism/overview/ .
The National Autistic Society (n.d.). Related conditions. The National Autistic Society. Retrieved from http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/related-conditions.aspx .
Volkmar , F. R. & Wiesner, L. A. (2009). A Practical Guide to Autism . New Jersey: Wiley.
Zwaigenbaum, L. (2014). The Intriguing Relationship between Cerebral Palsy and Autism. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. New Jersey: Wiley
