Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders - Essay Example

While the generally accepted symptoms of autism are observable by 18 months of age and characterized by inattention and undeveloped speech, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development added more behavioral symptoms that include problems with eye contact, not responding to one’s name, joint attention problems, underdeveloped skills in pretend play and imitation, and problems with nonverbal communication and language. They also added that there are more subtle signs of autism that would begin at eight months of age.

In the investigation of O'Hearn et al, it was reported that autistic people process their world slower and with fewer elements. The study reported that autistic people have “slightly fewer elements, slower serial processes, and less sensitivity to parallel/holistic processes that mature into adulthood” and this “could undermine the representation of multiple elements in several ways” (14). Early intervention is crucial for the effective handling of autism. The earlier the detection and intervention, the more effective it will be.

It has to be clarified however that there is still no known treatment for autism disorder. Intervention for autism includes “behavioral, social, and skill-building training” (Kuangparichat 81). There are also alternative schools that address autism such as charter or magnet schools, private academies to homeschooling. In the research of Kuangparichat, it was also stressed the importance of this intervention particularly the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) among public schools as an important intervention tool for those who have autism.

He stresses that it is a right of an autistic person to have an Individual Education Program because it is mandated by law that schools must have this kind of program for students who have autism to live a normal life (82). Autism is often misunderstood by society and people who have it are readily judged to be academically and socially inadequate. At the onset, this may appear to be true because autistic people have relatively slower cognitive skills and awkward social skills compared to mainstream individuals (Durand and Barlow 23).