5435 AUTISM
Candyy31
AutismRESPONSEDO.docxRESPONSE 1
YesterdayJul 26 at 5:43pm
“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication” (Autism Spectrum Disorder - Symptoms and Causes, 2018). In the past, individuals who showed the classic characteristics of Autism were thought to have childhood schizophrenia and/or mothers who were not emotional or practiced ‘cold parenting’. As more research was conducted, those theories were disproved and Autism became not just one single condition, but a spectrum of conditions that can present throughout life (Zeldovich, 2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder covers a wide range of characteristics and can range in level of severity from mild to severe. For example, some individuals may be able to engage in basic conversation while others are completely nonverbal.
Because we know so much more about Autism Spectrum Disorder now, individuals with ASD can have brighter futures than ever before. There are many celebrities and other famous individuals living with great success who have Autism. Currently, in Georgia, an early intervention program called the Georgia Autism Initiative is available for families. After a referral is made for early intervention, a screening is suggested for children ages 18 to 24 months for ASD. Depending on the results of the screening tool, next steps will be given to the families. Services offered include: behavioral intervention, family training, and transition planning (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2022a). Early intervention is key for lifelong success for Autism and other disabilities. The topic of Autism has gained quite a bit of momentum in social media and through other outlets especially in the past few years. Advocates raising awareness help to keep topics relating to Autism prevalent and provide important information and outlets for parents and families. The topic of acceptance has really come to the forefront of conversations in recent years providing a better platform for individuals with autism and families to come forward and share their experiences than in years past.
Autism spectrum disorder - Symptoms and causes. (2018, January 6). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928 (Links to an external site.)
Georgia Department of Public Health. (2022a, June 24). Autism Initiative Services. Retrieved July 26, 2022, from https://dph.georgia.gov/childrens-health/georgia-autism-initiative/autism-initiative-services (Links to an external site.)
Zeldovich, L. (2020, April 2). Autism diagnosis — The evolution of “autism” as a diagnosis, explained. Spectrum | Autism Research News. Retrieved July 26, 2022, from https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/evolution-autism-diagnosis-explained/
RESPONSE 2
Collapse Subdiscussion Deborah Hannick
10:42amJul 27 at 10:42am
Hi Shannon, I enjoyed reading your post this week. I was amazed when I read that autism was blamed on "refrigerator mothers". Luckily we know that is not true. Children with autism have a wide range of skills. I was helping out in my daughter's summer school classroom, where all of her students have autism. Some of the students she had in her class this past school year, so she was able to work with them for a while and has seen immense improvements. I was watching one 5 year old boy work the smart board faster and better than most adults could.
It is great when you see students helping each other out and being successful together. I had a student with autism in one of my classes and had a girl in there that was so great with him, when ever he would get frustrated she knew just what to say to help him through it. She even asked if she could move her seat so that she sat right next to him.
In my post I told of a lady we met at the farmers market who told us her 30 year old son has autism and has a job doing voice overs, he likes this because he can work with a small number of people. I love this!
Also, Zac Efron prtrays a boy with autism in the 2004 The never ending Journey. I have linked it below.
References:
Human Exceptionality: School, Community, and Family. (2017). Hardman, M., Egan, M., Clifford, D. (pgs. 262-291)
Zac Efron Movie (2004) The never ending Journey (also called The Miracle Run)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz58HKABjwg
