Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder is an incurable developmental disorder that can be treated with various interventions based upon the severity of the disorder. This literature review covers the important approaches made to understanding autism as well as important findings regarding the utility of fostering a nurturing environment when developing and intervention. It looks at the role that maternal warmth, chaotic homes, and instability play in the co-occurrence of psychopathology among autistic children. It then discusses the role of understanding autism in child and adolescent psychopathology studies.

Literature Review

The CDC (2021) defines autism spectrum disorder in children as a developmental disorder. However, the first systematic form of diagnosis for autism was developed by Kanner, based upon Bleulers introduction of the term autism as a psychiatric classification; Kanner went on to define autism as an innate inability to form the usual, biologically provided contact with people (Harris, 2018, p. 3). The important contribution Kanner made to the study of autism was in his discernment that each case of autism is entirely unique, and every child with autism must be approached in a manner that best supports that childs development (Harris, 2018). Although Kanner categorized autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder, today autism is also viewed as a behaviorally defined disorder (Wohr & Scattoni, 2013). This modern categorization has facilitated the development of various approaches for assisting children diagnosed with autism; and, as Foxx (2008) has pointed out, the only interventions that have been shown to produce comprehensive, lasting results in autism have been based on the principles of ABA (p. 821).

One approach that has received recent attention in the realm of educational interventionim is the method of errorless teaching in which the instructor prevents the autistic child from making a mistake when learning a new skill that will assist in his development (Bloh et al., 2017). A key to errorless learning is the role of positive reinforcement, which helps the child to acquire a new skill without experiencing negativity (Mueller, Palkovic & Maynard, 2007). Errorless teaching is a concept that is rooted in the fostering of a nurturing atmosphere and relies on the instructor demonstrating exactly what the child needs to do to acquire the skill at hand (Foxx, 2008).

Treating autism spectrum disorder depends also upon the severity of the...

As the severity can range significantly and diagnosis is not always immediate, parents, educators and doctors need to consider a range of factors that might support a diagnosis or early identification, such as an inability or failure to pay attention to objects when pointed out to them, difficulty with comprehension of other peoples feelings, inability to communicate with others in spite of an interest in them, inability to play pretend games, the seemingly endless repetition of actions, and difficulty adapting to change (CDC, 2021).

The complexity of defining, diagnosing and treating autism spectrum disorder is in part due to the wide variations manifested in the spectrum itself. Children with autism can be high-functioning or low-functioning or anywhere in the middle (CDC, 2021). The range of signs of autism is vast and variations of autism, such as Aspergers syndrome. Because child development itself...

…essential that there be the necessary home life foundation to avoid the onset of psychopathology; unstable homes, and a lack of maternal warmth in particular, can aggravate autism and facilitate the onset of psychopathology. Thus, nurturing environments are called for in numerous studies (Foxx, 2008; Wohr & Scattoni, 2013).

These findings indicate that parents and families have to be very mindful of the developmental needs and limitations of a child with autism. Stability in the home life is going to be very important for the child to prevent the co-occurrence of psychopathology. Thus, it is equally important for the child to be diagnosed early on, and this requires early identification. In homes where there is a lack of structure or emotional warmth, early detection may be missed, unless educators are able to identify signs. However, reliance on cooperation with the family is also going to be needed to address the disorder.

Conclusion

Treating autism will depend upon the severity of the disorder, but one method that has found favor among educators specializing in instruction for autistic children is that of errorless learning, based on ABA practices. The key to this type of intervention is that the skill being taught is demonstrated and the learner is prevented from doing the action incorrectly. The instructor rewards the child with positive reinforcement and gradually fades stimulus so that the child learns to engage in the desired behavior on his own. This sort of intervention is rooted in a nurturing environment and can assist in the development of the child with autism. In the home, parents are advised to provide a similar…