Investigative Report

Autism:
Living In a Different World

Do you know what the fastest growing development disability in the United States is? The answer is Autism. Some people have to deal with this disorder that is lifelong and has no cure. Many people have to deal with Autism in their daily lives. Autistic people are stuck with this disorder which affect them operating in their lives. The general problems associated with Autism today are treatment and care for autistic individuals. Doctors and researchers need to use the top technology available today to find solutions to Autism and to make sure autistic people receive the appropriate treatment and care.

Autism is a severe disorder that affects many people who have while there are many facts to prove it. Autism affects the way the brain uses or transmits information. This makes communication very hard and almost impossible for some autistic people. There is no cure for Autism and it is a lifelong disorder. Since there is no cure for Autism, many relatives of autistic people sacrifice part of their daily lives to do what they can to make life the best it can be for them. People in autistic families have much greater responsibilities than the average person (“Sick”). Autism is considered to be the fastest growing development disorder in the United States today (Braus). With this disorder increasing throughout the country, there is certainly a need for solutions. This disorder almost certainly develops before the child is born and may be located in parts of the brain that processes information that comes from the senses. Autism
alters the lifestyle of unfortunate people who have it and their families.

Causes of Autism are still being researched but researchers have discovered some possible causes. Autism appears to be a genetic disorder (“Sick!”). Children with autistic parents are far more likely to be autistic themselves rather than having parents without the disorder. A study reported that one-quarter of babies born extremely premature showed signs of Autism at the time they were approaching their second birthday. This means that premature babies are more likely to develop Autism than those not premature. Researchers are certain that there is a genetic factor that leads to Autism. Sally Ozonoff explained that “Infants’ brains are far more “plastic and changeable” than those of older children and adults. With parents and behavioral specialists intervening early by encouraging eye contact, enjoyment of other people, and talking, they can alter the course of the condition (Bohan).” By knowing more about what causes Autism, people have a better chance of preventing this disorder.

Many autistic people exemplify varied disabilities, while some exemplify special abilities. People who suffer from Autism usually show behaviors that are repeated over and over again in standard patterns (Walsh). Those with the Autism may act with anger, violence, or even self-injury because of their inability to communicate (Bohan). With some of the disabilities sometimes come special abilities. Some people with Autism have a high intelligence level (Braus). Some autistic children may show special talents in art, music, and other areas. Researchers need to use the top technology to assist autistic people in overcoming their disabilities and bringing out their special abilities in a very productive way.

Treatment and care for autistic people need to be improved to fit their specific need.
There are effective therapies for the major mental illnesses (Pardes). Experts recommend early education for autistic children using approaches specifically geared for them (Braus). Also, many experts suggest a structured environment with a defined schedule because of the need for organization and repetitive behavior among autistic students. Charter schools have been a way for parents to meet their need of taking care of their autistic child (Walsh). These schools relieve some responsibilities of parents. Autistic children need an environment specifically for them to learn in order to receive the best education possible.

The general problems associated with Autism today are treatment and care for autistic people. The government needs to do everything in their power to make sure autistic people receive the correct treatment and care. We need to make sure autistic people get the best education and treatment geared towards them such as special therapies and schools that would best fit their needs and their parent’s needs. It is important to continue to finding solutions to deal with Autism today because it is the fastest growing development disorder in the United States and it is a lifelong disorder. Doctors and researchers need to use the best technology today to make sure autistic individuals get the top treatment and care they deserve and also need to find solutions to Autism.




Works Cited

Ed: Newton, David and Donna Olendorf. “Sick!” Detroit: UXL (2000). Student Resource Center
Gold. Thomson Gale. John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. 4 October 2008. <http://find.galegroup.com/>.

Walsh, James. “A School Where Autistic Kids Aren’t Alone.” Star Tribune (18 Dec. 2007).
SIRS Researcher. ProQuest Information and Learning. John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD.
4 October 2008. <http://sks.sirs.com/>.

Pardes, Herbert. “Mental Illness.” Encyclopedia Americana (2008). Grolier Online. Scholastic
Library Publishing. John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. 4 October 2008. <http://go.grolier.com/>.

Braus, Patricia. “Autism.” Gale Encyclopedia of Science (2008). Student Resource Center -
Gold. Thomson Gale. John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. 4 October 2008
<http://find.galegroup.com/>.

Bohan, Suzanne. “Study: Premature Babies More Likely to Develop Autism.” San Mateo County
Times (2 Apr. 2008). SIRS Researcher. ProQuest Information and Learning. John
Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. 4 October 2008. <http://sks.sirs.com/>.