Child health issue and its effect on the child and family (Autism) - Essay Example

? Children Autism in UK The Government's definition of autism points it out that it is lifelong condition which affects how a personrelates to, communicates with people, as well as, how they understand the world around him (The BBC, 2013). Indeed, the term covers a variety of autistic conditions among them Asperger's syndrome. Data from the Department of Education reveals that in 2006 autistic children made up of only one in every 200 pupils. However, the latest figures points it out that one in every 125 children are diagnosed with Autism. This paper seeks to discuss children Autism in UK with a view to elucidate on existing policies and provisions, the needs and benefits of addressing Autism, the constituents of child health as well as the factors underlying in good and poor health. Currently, Autism affects about one in every100 children. In UK, about 100,000 children have been diagnosed with Autism, with close to half a million families directly affected by this condition. Though, the number of children having a Statement of Special Educational Needs remains to be 2.8%, the number of children whose statement point autism as a primary need has gone up by 5% since 2011. Indeed, very recent diagnosis rates have pointed out that close to four times as many boys as the girls have autism (Howe, 2005). Research has revealed that, divorce rate of parents of children diagnosed with autism is 60% higher than the average. In a UK study of families having autism it was established that one in every three were single parents. Notably, only 11% of the carers who have children diagnosed with autism work full time where about 70% have reported of the lack of appropriate care facilities which causes them to fail to work. As such, the understanding that autism is drastically on the rise being coupled with difficulties arising from the care of an autistic child has fueled the recent calls for a cure to this condition. Since autism was identified in the UK, efforts to cure it have been underway. Indeed, the search for cure has often been brought into the limelight by the media, with the frequent question being that if cancer can be cured then why not autism. More importantly, if a cure for autism is to be found, then it is through creation and maintenance of programs and policies, that acknowledge the challenges of autism, having build it on autistic individuals' abilities, and further make it possible for those in the line of the spectrum to live fully in the community and the larger world (Clements and Zarkowska, 2000). By and large, the children Act Amendments on the proposed 1989 children Act of are in place to provide a more shared parenting. Section I 2A points it out that the parent could be involved in a child’s life in a manner that does not risk or expose a child to harm (Department for Education and Skills, 2004). Additionally, that if there is evidence on negative involvement of apparent on the child then the initial provisions will reconsider. Indeed the purpose of the amendments is to reinforce a Childs importance on relationships with the parents even in situation of divorce where the child interests will be considered first (Mitchell, 2012). However, other critics point it out the legislation may only put a child in greater emotional torture when the right ownership is contested in a court of law (Laming, 2009). The school policy statements points it out that, children with special needs may be admitted to specialist schools and further proceed to different levels in the mainstream education or the special schools in the local authority. Notably, schools will implement the policies on the behavioral support as well as bullying education sexual harassment and general safe guarding. As such, school role is inclusive of the provision of academic education as well as educate children on the social practical and communication skills (Merrell, 2007). Last but not least, proper student to staff ratio is to be maintained. Parents and the community have been encouraged to work collaboratively to enhance the child health. It should be noted that, the National Autistic Society has indeed formulated a number of policies as well as, procedural guidelines. As listed they include, the Admissions, remissions and the exclusions policy for schools secondly, anti-bullying in schools for children and the young people's services policy, thirdly, the behavioral support in schools for children and the young people's services policy. Additionally, the compliments and comments as well as the complaints policy, the Curriculum policy, the Health and safety responsibilities, safeguarding responsibilities, the health and safety statement, and lastly, the special educational needs policy (Merrell, 2007). The National Service Framework launched on 30th September 2005 lays s out the quality of services for which children, young people as well as, their families ought to expect and receive in Wales. Indeed, children, parents and the carers have extensively been involved in drafting the Framework. As such, the development of the Children's NSF began way back in September 2002 focusing on improving the quality, and equity of service delivered through setting of national standards. Indeed, the framework has been developed in partnership between the health and social care having links to education, voluntary sector, housing, leisure, and other stakeholders among them parents, children and the young people. More importantly, the overall focus of the frame work is to ensure that all children and the young people have the ability to achieve the optimal health and the well being as well as, access of support in achieving their potential (Merrell, 2007) By and large, Autism causes some physical abnormalities such as the presences of excessive neutrons within the major brain regions (Wilson, 2013). As such, Autism also causes a disturbance in the movement of the neurons during initial gestation. Additionally, other physical effects include the formation of abnormal synapses and some dendritic spines. According to research, Autism affects the emotional well being of an individual through a number of ways, first individuals with Autism experience low levels of social initiation as well as the response to their peers. It has also been observed that, Autism lowers nonverbal communication where in some cases, it has been reported that Autistic individuals lacked emotional gesture. Additionally Autistic individuals give lesser attention to the emotional displays as compared to their peers. Last but not least, individuals affected by Autism have been reported of having low empathy as well as reduced shared emotion. It has also been observed that, Autism affect the education process of the affected person, more particularly, it affects children in a manner that, they experience difficulties in communicating their needs to the tutors as well as understanding class work. Indeed, Autistic children experience problems in understanding classroom instructions and direction, coupled with inability to identify the vocals and the facial expressions of their tutors. Thus, such poor social interaction has the potential to cause some challenging behaviors such as ostracizing and bullying (Wilson, 2013). Indeed, difficulties experienced within imaginative plays hinders children interaction, thus leading to inefficiencies in the strategies employed. Another problem emanating from Autism is the impaired sensory coordination which implies that Autistic children will experience difficulties in adapting to a given environment, as well as, keeping an eye contact while communicating. Thus, in general terms, the inability to decipher the environment around an Autistic child often causes education to be much stressful to both the Autistic child and the teachers since they encounter difficulties while disseminating the information to the children. By and large, Autism has also been reported as a driving factor in the psychological problems experienced by the child. Indeed the disorder in the development of the brain manifests during infancy which later develops into a health issue, some of the psychological problems include reduced attention some social stimuli, slow response to eye contact, appearance of aggressive behaviors, and difficulties in communication (Wilson, 2013). Additionally, the affected child develops a stereotypic approach on matters concerning him/her as well as experiences problems in maintaining relationship. Other psychological problems include, sleep deprivations, prevalence of self injury, as well as reduced interests in any physical activity. It should be noted that Autism is a family pandemic, as such family members and the community at large are greatly affected by Autism. The degree of the challenge varies according to the severity of the condition. However, the Autistic related issues which a family has to deal with are similar. One of the effects is the adjustment of the parents expectations, where after a child has been diagnosed with the disease the expectations of the parents shift. For instance, if parent wanted to raise a child up to the higher levels of education, he /she will reconsider her initial though s concerning the situations. This may halt the progress of the family as well as, community development as a whole Autism affect families in many different ways for instance, as such, the stress resulting from this condition can drive parents further apart. This majorly occurs due to lack of emotional and reciprocity in a marriage as well as impaired and autistic like livelihood (Wilson, 2013). Indeed, parents are totally confused on the needs of the autistic child on the environmental impact, studies have shown that mothers often experience poor mental health since they have a heightened level of stressor conditions. As such, parents experience the feeling of social isolation as well as despair over the incurable condition. On the physical impact, Autism affects the physical health of the families due the anxieties and depression they go through. As such, stress has the potential to cause lowered immunity memory impairment, as well as sleep deprivation. In addition, the financial impact of the condition is such overwhelming. Notably, majority of the private health practitioners do not cover the expenses involving Autism thus, leading to a huge financial debt on the families. On siblings, rivalry can increase since more attention is put on the autistic child. The needs for addressing child Autism in a family include first, Therapy or counseling. It should be noted that, psychotherapy is much important when dealing with emotional impact of autism, while family counseling is helpful when dealing with marital and communication problems. By and large, a holistic Approach is vital in addressing this pandemic. As such the government must consider all the predisposing factors to this condition such as child factors, societal factors and organizational factors. Notably, some methods that have proven to handle this situation include, carrying out educational visits, as well as an interactive educational meetings also of importance include the multifaceted interventions. Additionally, on mitigating societal barriers, grants and other incentives need to be channeled in so as to enhance organization. Lack of proper medical care and poor nutrition lowers the birth weight of a child thus leading to increased health risks. It should also be noted that, children living in poverty conditions are more susceptible to be exposed to environmental toxins. As such, poverty social exclusion and relative deprivation have a major impact on the family’s health and premature death, and still chances of living in poverty are heavily loaded against certain social groups. Indeed, poverty continues to exist, even in the wealthiest countries of Europe. As such, the unemployed, variety of ethnic minority groups, the guest workers, refugees, disabled people, and homeless people experience higher risks (ACS Distance Education, 2011). Indeed, those living on the streets heavily suffer from premature death. In addition, relative poverty refers to the situation of being much poorer than most the people in the society and is often defined the state of living on less than 60% of the total national median income. Such conditions denies one from accessing access decent housing, transport, education, and other factors deemed vital for the full participation in life. Indeed, being excluded from the society life, and treated as lesser beings leads even worse health conditions and increased risks of early death. As if this is not enough, the stresses of living in poverty are more particularly harmful during pregnancy, babies and children as well as, the old peoples (ACS Distance Education, 2011). Social cultural factors such as, the level of education, occupational status as well as income affects the general health of families. For instance, lower educational attainment has been postulated as the causal agent for poor health. In addition, increased premature mortality have been linked to low education levels. However, families with a higher education levels are less likely to experience child mortality as well as poor healthy behaviors. By and large, the level of income greatly contributes to the health being of families. As such, families with a high income can access services as well as, provide the best medical attention to the family members whereas low income families experience difficulties in accessing of the basic services. Indeed, access to good medical attention is dream for this families, thus this situation negatively affects the health status of family members. In broader terms, the disadvantaged people are often exposed to adverse physical and social service environment leading to their poor health. Another social cultural factor is the occupational status, the physical aspects of the job affects the heath of an individual, where exposure to physical injury and toxins leads to a bad health (ACS Distance Education, 2011). On the other hand, higher status families work in more safe environments that poses risk to their health. It has also been established that, good social networks increases the cycle of friends to which support could be sought for in incase of a medical emergence. Nutrition affects the way a person feels like, feels like, as well as his thinking and action. Notably a poor diet results in reduced muscle strength, a slower problems solving immobility, the muscle response, as well as reduced alertness (Ajmera, 2011). Thus, this negatively affects the health of an individual. It should also be noted that lifestyle choices affects health of a person to a greater degree. As such, bad lifestyle choices negatively affect the health of an individual while good lifestyle leads to an increased personal health. Notably, excessive use of drugs and exposure in stressful environments as well as poor eating habits increases the risks of liver diseases, heart diseases, and other forms of cancer. In conclusion, child health care has to a greater extent turned in to a health issue affecting people across the board, as such, the predicaments faced by children, directly affects their families at large. However with the significant contribution of UK developmental programs, it has been postulated that child mortality will be reduced. However, a lot is still undone in the world poorest regions that bear the heaviest brunt of poor health. As such, much of the suffering could be prevented by having a collective approach on this issue. Lastly, the challenge is to avail treatments to families who are in need of it in so as to speed up progress in achieving good health. References ACS Distance Education. 2011. Natural health mental and social influences Retrieved on 29 April 2013 from http://www.acs.edu.au/info/natural-health/mental/social-influences.aspx Ajmera, R. 2011. The effects of poor nutrition on your health. Retrieved on 29 April 2013 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/31172-effects-poor-nutrition-health/ Clements, J. and Zarkowska, E. 2000. Behavioral concern and autistic spectrum disorder: explanations and strategies for a change. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Print. Department for Education and Skills. 2004. The children act London: HMSO. Print. Howe, D. 2005. Childs abuse and Neglects. Attachment, Development and Interventions. London. Palgrave Macmillan Laming, L. 2009. The protection of children in England. A progress Report. London The stationery Office The BBC. 2013. 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