Kusol Yevgen
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University,
The
Institute of Corrective Pedagogy and Psychology, student
Pet’ko Lyudmila,
Scientific supervisor,
Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University (Ukraine,
Kyiv)
AUTISM
AND A CHILD
Êóñîë
Åâãåíèé
Íàöèîíàëüíûé
ïåäàãîãè÷åñêèé óíèâåðñèòåò èìåíè Ì.Ï.Äðàãîìàíîâà,
Èíñòèòóò êîððåêöèîííîé ïåäàãîãèêè è ïñèõîëîãèè
Ïåòüêî Ëþäìèëà, íàó÷íûé ðóêîâîäèòåëü,
ê.ïåä.í., äîöåíò ÍÏÓ èìåíè
Ì.Ï.Äðàãîìàíîâà (Óêðàèíà, ã.Êèåâ)
Autism is known as a complex developmental disability. Experts believe
that Autism presents itself during the first three years of a person's life.
The condition is the result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on
normal brain function, affecting development of the person's communication and
social interaction skills.
People with autism have issues with non-verbal communication, a wide
range of social interactions, and activities that include an element of play
and/or banter [4].
Autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex
disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying
degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal
communication and repetitive behaviors.
With the May 2013
publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD.
Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic
disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental
disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism
spectrum – a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research
shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness.
Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than
girls. An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with
autism in the United States. ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S.
and tens of millions worldwide [2; 6].
Genomic
research is beginning to discover that people with autism spectrum disorders
probably share genetic traits with individuals with ADHD (attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or clinical
depression. A team at the Cross Disorders Group of the Psychiatric Genomic
Consortium suggests that the five mental disorders and illnesses have the same
common inherited genetic variations.
Autism
is believed to have a strong genetic basis. The cause is still unknown. Heavy
metal toxicity has been found in many mothers of autistic children probably due
to the exposure to chemicals such as paints, pesticides, new furniture or
carpet during pregnancy [1].
The stereotypical view of autism is that portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in
the movie Rainman – an individual unable to function well in society,
with unusual mental abilities, repetitive behaviors and odd speech patterns.
A person with autism feels love, happiness, sadness and pain just like
everyone else. Just because some of them may not express their feelings in the
same way others do, does not mean at all that they do not have feelings – they
do! It is crucial that the Myth – Autistic people have no feelings – is
destroyed. The myth is a result of ignorance, not some conspiracy. Therefore,
it is important that you educate people who carry this myth in a helpful and
informative way.
Not all people with autism have an incredible gift or savantism for
numbers or music. However, a sizeable proportion of people with an ASD have
high IQs and a unique talent for computer science. German software company SAP
AG has become aware of this and announced in May 2013 that it planned to employ hundreds of people with autism as software
testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists [5].
Autism in
children can be diagnosed very early, as early as 12 to 18 months. The signs
include the following: 1) Language
development problems: An infant may babble and begin to acquire
one-word concepts, then at some point cease to learn new words and lose the
ones he or she has already required. Some autistic children never begin to
develop language at all; 2) Social retreat: Rather than enjoy
and seek out social interactions, a toddler with autism will avoid them,
preferring his or her own company. A child who actively, even obsessively,
avoids eye contact may be in the early stages of the condition; 3) Sensory
problems: Autism seems to interfere with how a child processes
sensory information. Tactile sensations may be overwhelming or addictive.
Visual stimuli such as the rotating blades of a fan may prove an irresistible
focus; 4) Repetitive behavior: Children with this condition often
perform ritualistic or repetitive motions. Hand flapping, organizing toys
rather than playing with them, and opening and closing cabinets repeatedly for
a lengthy period may all be hallmarks of autism [7].
A child with autistic disorder may already have
problems with communication and social interaction. Irritability adds another
layer that can cause issues at home, with family, and at school [3].
On summering, we could watch a discussion from Tony,
the father of an 8 year old child with autism, about what Dr. Hans Asperger
said in his sentinel paper on this video [5].
Bibliography
1. Autism [Web site]. – Access mode: http://www.mf3ofswitzerland.info/fapp.html
2012. – 240 p.
4. Nordqvist Christian. What Is
Autism? / Medical News Today, 2013, 1.08. [Web site]. – Access mode: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/
5. What Is Autism? (Video). What is Autism – Hans Asperger.
[Web site]. – Access mode: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/
6. What Is Autism? [Web site]. – Access mode: http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
7. What Is Autism? [Web site]. – Access mode: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-autism.htm