An autism essay is a common requirement in many schools and colleges today. It is a requirement to help students understand this condition and the people who have it. It also helps define some of the characteristics of Autism and how it may affect early childhood or childhood development.
Autistic people can be found in every race, culture, and country in the world. Therefore it is vital that people understand them and what they go through. Autism is a social disorder, which affects how one behaves in society, and it would be prudent to have a greater understanding of the condition.
An autism essay will often seek to define what Autism is and also discuss how it can affect early childhood or childhood development. It will also look at some of the causes of the disorder, which may include genetics or environmental factors.
The most important thing to remember when writing about Autism is not to reduce the sufferers of this condition to their symptoms. For example, many people with Autism may have trouble communicating and showing affection, but they are still people with feelings and personalities. It is important to remember this when writing an autism essay.
What is Autism?
Autism, also known as an autism spectrum disorder(ASD), is a range of conditions characterized by social interaction difficulties. This may be due to difficulties communicating or showing affection, staying in the realms of what they know; it can also be an overall lack of awareness in social situations.
Genetics and particular environmental impacts are among the underlying causes of Autism. The disorder usually manifests during the earliest stages of brain development, often before a child reaches three years old, as the doctors say.
Autism is a rather complicated condition because it includes a wide range of disorders, among which Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder are the most commonly diagnosed.
An autism essay is the best avenue for learning and understanding this condition. Parents, teachers, and students can write an autism essay describing the disorder, listing common symptoms and side effects, and pointing out early warning signs.
How is Autism Diagnosed?
It would be so much easier if autism spectrum disorder(ASD) could be identified through a blood examination or an x-ray, but this isn’t the case. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is based on evaluations by various professionals, including pediatricians, psychologists, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists.
Doctors evaluate your child’s development and behavior by looking at specific milestones in areas such as social interaction, communication, and play. Autism spectrum disorders can vary a great deal from individual to individual, so no single list of symptoms can be used to make a diagnosis.
For a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder to be made, your child must exhibit symptoms in at least two of the following three areas:
- Social interaction
- Communication
- Behavior.
Your child may be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder if they are experiencing severe deficits in all three areas. Still, sometimes children with only mild problems in one or two areas may also be diagnosed.
Causes of Autism
We understand that there is no one cause of Autism. According to research, Autism arises from genetic and nongenetic or environmental factors. These influences appear to increase the risk that a child will develop Autism. However, It is important to note that having one or more risk factors does not mean developing Autism. For instance, a child may have a sibling with Autism but not develop the condition.
Genetic Factors
A growing body of research suggests that Autism arises from genetic influences. For example, studies of twins have indicated that Autism is highly heritable, meaning that it is passed down from parents to children through genes. Some researchers estimate that the risk of Autism among twins is about 90% if one twin is affected, compared with 1 to 2% in the general population. In addition, different studies have varied in the percentage of autism cases attributed to inherited genetic causes. Still, scientists estimate these causes account for roughly 20% or more of all cases.
The role of genetics appears to vary among individuals with Autism. Some people have a single gene change or small deletion linked to Autism. However, most cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are likely caused by multiple interacting genes and possibly environmental factors influencing early brain development. So, yes, the neurological disorder is believed to be caused by genetics and environmental factors.
Nongenetic, or Environmental Factors
Nongenetic, or environmental, factors are also thought to play a role in Autism, but these factors alone do not cause the disorder. Rather, it is thought that nongenetic factors interact with genetic ones to increase the risk of Autism. Some nongenetic factors may be related to pregnancy and birth, such as exposure to a viral infection or lack of oxygen.
Meanwhile, some experts believe that childhood vaccines may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders. However, current scientific evidence does not support such a link. This has been confirmed in a series of scientific studies around the world.
According to research, autistic spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. Still, it is believed that there has to be some environmental trigger for the genes to express themselves in an individual, leading to Autism.
Symptoms of Autism
When writing an autism essay, outlining the symptoms of Autism is an important step. Autism spectrum disorder symptoms can range in severity, and not all people with Autism will have the same symptoms.
The symptoms of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), an umbrella term that includes Autism, are based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria concerning verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive behavior.
The following are the symptoms of Autism, although not all people with Autism will have all of these symptoms:
Problems with communication and social interaction
Autism spectrum disorders can cause problems with communication and social interaction. For example, people with Autism may have difficulty understanding what others are saying, and they may not communicate effectively. They may also have trouble relating to others and forming friendships.
Autistic children will often have eye contact and facial expressions problems, and they may not understand the social rules that typically govern interactions. For instance, they may not know how to respond when someone greets them or may not be aware of personal space.
As they age, autistic children may struggle to read others’ emotions and will often come across as insensitive or rude. However, others might start developing language skills at an even pace or may have severe language delays.
Also, as autistic children begin to speak, they usually talk in phrases rather than sentences. As a result, it’s often one-sided when they engage in conversation; they will only speak to the person they are speaking with about things that interest them, and they will not understand or respond to questions.
As they interact with others, autistic children may find expressing their emotions and desires difficult. This can lead to problems with behavior, as autistic children may act out because they don’t have the means to communicate what they want or need.
Restricted or repetitive behaviors
People with autism spectrum disorders may also engage in restricted or repetitive behaviors. These can include lining up toys or objects, repeating words or phrases, and doing things the same way every time.
Some people with autism spectrum disorders may also have sensory sensitivities. They may be susceptible to certain sounds, textures, smells, or lights. This can lead to them avoiding certain activities or environments or engaging in repetitive behaviors to cope with the sensory input. The following are some examples of how people with autism spectrum disorder may express their feelings
- repetitive movements, flapping their arms, spinning like rocking, or running back and forth
- chewing on clothes, biting themselves, or hitting their heads
- stimming by flapping their arms
- meltdowns because they can’t cope with the sensory overload
- seeking out specific textures or smells
- being unusually sensitive to light or noise
- avoiding eye contact
- not responding when called by name
- having difficulty with transitions
- getting upset if the routine is changed
- having obsessive interests in specific topics.
Methods of Treatment
An autistic child or other people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can benefit from early intervention therapies and treatment options. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome.
There are various types of therapies that are effective for ASD. Some common interventions include:
Behavior therapy
Behavior therapy is a type of therapy that uses positive reinforcement to help change the behavior of a person with Autism. The therapist will work with the autistic individual to set goals and then provide rewards when they reach those goals. The most common behavioral therapies are based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles. ABA aims to help an autistic child understand the connection between behaviors and consequences.
ABA is evidence-based, which means it has proven effective through scientific research. In addition, it is highly adaptable and tailored to meet each person’s individual needs with Autism.
Speech-language therapy
If your child struggles with communication, they may be recommended for speech-language therapy. A therapist will help your child develop their communication skills during these sessions. This is essential as it will develop their verbal skills and help improve their understanding of language.
For example, during the training, the therapist may ask your child to identify objects based on their shape and color. They may also ask your child to follow a set of verbal instructions.
Other non-verbal skills that may be worked on include; pointing to things they want, waving goodbye, or even blowing kisses.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy
If your child has difficulties with movement or coordination, they may be recommended for physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT). Physical therapy can help improve your child’s motor skills, which could include walking.
Occupational therapy can help your child develop their everyday life skills, such as eating and dressing themselves. It can also help with things like handwriting and using scissors.
Sessions are customized to the needs of each student, so your kid may also practice using adaptive technology to adapt to events and complete tasks. For example, your child may learn to use a voice-activated computer program.
Nutritional therapy
Some children with Autism possess digestive difficulties as well as bone density concerns. Additionally, autistic children might be low in certain essential vitamins and minerals. A healthcare professional could help an autistic child consume the correct quantity and consistency of foods through nutritional therapy to relieve these problems.
Cognitive behavior therapy
Cognitive development is a huge part of our everyday lives. It is the process through which we take in all the information that comes into our brains and then conclude about it. The basis of this process is working memory, which allows us to carry out tasks such as adding up numbers and multiplying them in our minds when we have a calculator in front of us.
People with Autism often have a hard time multitasking; thus, they cannot handle more than one task at a time and struggle to work out the answers to certain math problems. Treatment for this problem is cognitive behavior therapy, which involves working with the person on a one-on-one basis to teach them how to focus on one task at a time and break it down into manageable chunks. The National Autistic Society has stated that this kind of therapy can help autistic children with their behavior, social interaction skills, and communication.
It is important to note that while autism therapies are highly effective, they are not a cure. In addition, each autistic person is different and will respond differently to various therapies. Therefore, it is essential to work closely with your child’s therapist to find the therapies that will work best for them.
7 Comprehensive Autism Essay Topics
There are so many autism essay topics that can be written about, so here is a list of some good autism essay topics to get you started:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Research proposal/Autism.
- Different behaviors in Children with Autism.
- The benefits of ABA therapy for children with Autism.
- How does homeopathy help children with Autism?
- What is the role of diet in Autism?
- What are the effects of stress on children with Autism?
There are so many topics on Autism that can be written about or researched, but it is important to have a unique topic that is not too broad.
For example, many great topics can be written about the history of Autism or the effects of Autism on the family. However, it is crucial to focus on a unique topic that has not been covered before and perhaps draw in your personal experiences or opinions.
Long and Short Essays on Autism for Students and Kids in English
Autism essays are written to help students and kids understand this condition better. Autism is a neurological disorder that starts in early childhood and affects how people communicate and interact with others. Therefore, the essays are aimed at helping students, kids, and the common person understand the condition better.
Various authors write essays on autism in multiple forms to suit the individual writing and reading styles. While some authors write long essays on autism, others do not and keep it short.
When writing these essays, it is crucial to have knowledge of the subject and express it in a way that the reader will easily understand. Considering the age group is also essential to make your writing simple and easy to understand.
The essay should also be written in a language that is easy to read and devoid of jargon. This will ensure that the reader understands the content without any difficulty.
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