Autism Development: Bio-Neurological Developmental Disorder (Essay Sample)

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Autism Development
Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disorder mostly observable in early childhood that affects one’s verbal and non-verbal communications, interactions and the processing of information by the mind. It is a lifelong developmental condition after one is born and is not yet linked to genetic inheritance. The challenges and difficulties tied to autism are port the differences in processing of information by the brain and thinking capacity. Autism affects the manner in which children learn, communicate, behave, and interact in daily situations. Autistic children have difficulties in social interactions and communication (Kim et al). My objective in this paper is to discuss on the scientists’ viewpoint on autism, how to improve children’s lifelong development and how to make improvements on their abilities, behavior, and communication.
The cause of autism is linked to the time of pregnancy. Exposure to toxins during pregnancy and complications related to the delivery process may distort brain processes before or shortly after birth. Gene mutations associated with autism can impact on the functioning and development of the brain. Research reveals that autism starts to develop immediately after birth, but its symptoms may become inevitable at a later stage (Autism Speaks). Although the outward symptoms may not reveal immediately after birth, there’s always underlying differences in brain development that accumulate over time. If the disruptions to the brains were sufficiently severe, the symptoms would eventually emerge because the compensatory processes will no longer be enough to hold them back. This explains autistic regression cases, in which a child may seem to develop normally, only to regress into autism. This is because the disruption to brain development continues to worsen or the compensatory processes fail to keep up.
The complexity associated with the brain proves the difficulty in correcting the differences caused by autism to brain development and functioning that starts in early life. Therefore, the treatment for autism has to be more intensive. Diagnosis followed by treatment at an early stage is very essential. Also, it's substantial for us to familiarize ourselves on the various ways of how to make improvements on the abilities, behavior and communication in autistic children.
The first step in helping such children is to take an initiative of going for a diagnosis to be sure about the autistic condition of a child. Although it is not easy for an individual to overcome autism, numerous treatments are available to enable kids in learning additional skills and overcoming developmental challenges. These treatments vary from behavioral therapy carried out at home to government services to programs based at school. You can begin by seeking help immediately you suspect something possibly wrong with your child. If a child is found autistic, treatment should start right without any delay (Autism Speaks). When an autistic child gets help at a very early stage, the chance of successful treatment is usually great. The following are some of way we can use to improve the abilities, behavior and communication for autistic children.
Picking up nonverbal cues that autistic children use to communicate is a good starting point to developing their communication skills (Autism Speaks). You need to pay attention to the gestures they use, the facial expressions they connote to imply feelings of hunger, tiredness or in need of something. To be upset when you with people’s ignorance or misunderstanding about you is very natural and it’s not different with autistic children
(Helpguide.org). When you don’t pick their nonverbal cues, they act out. More often, they communicate their frustrations by throwing a tantrum; therefore you need to figure it out the need behind the tantrum
Making fun is a hobby for most children. As a way of helping children with autism, you need to spare time for fun with them. Make a schedule for playtime when the child is very alert and awake. Think of the great things that lead them to laugh, smile and restore jovial moods before you begin to make fun together (Autism.org.uk). A kid is more likely to derive enjoy from these fun moments when they are neither remedial nor related to education. You will possibly get tremendous benefits of enjoying the child’s company and the child's enjoyment for the fun. Note that playing is an essential learning exercise but don’t need to be like work.
You need also to monitor the sensory activities of a child. Most of the autistic children are very sensitive to sound, lighting condition, taste, touch, and irresistible smell whereas others are “under-sensitive”. You have to take note of the smells, sounds, sights, movements and tactile sensations which triggers a child’s disruptive behaviors and those one that elicits positive responses (Autism.org.uk). Find out which activities an autistic child finds calming, stressful, enjoyable and comfortable. Understanding conditions that affects a child, will put you in a better position in creating successful experiences and preventing difficulty circumstances that may arise
Parents with autism stress can join autism support groups in which they can meet other parents with the same problem. In such groups, they share out information; acquire advice from professional and support one another emotionally. By keeping each other company, they can help reduce the depression one gets after a child's autism diagnosis. Furthermore, such parents need respite carein which they take some rest, and another person takes over temporarily their responsibility of taking care of their autistic children.
The U.S government provides free and low-cost services to children with disabilities including those with autism alongside their parents. Such services include, physical therapy, medical evaluations, speech therapy psychological counseling, parental counseling and training, technological devices among other services (Helpguide.org). children below two years also get help from the government through the Early Intervention program. Parents of children of this age are required to work with physicians who provide early treatment to establish Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). For a child with autism, IFSP includes behavior analysis, speech, physical and play therapies. It prepares autistic children for transition in school.
Children with the age of three and above can receive intensive care through school-based programs. ...