Autism, first identified in around the 1930s, has been described as a clinical disorder that is characterized by impairment in individuals towards social interaction and communication. Such individuals are also restricted and stereotyped in the patterns of interests and behaviors [1]. At present, the prevalence of autism in the population in the United States is around one in every 68 children; which include roughly 1 in every 42 boys identified (2) Such figures have increased significantly over the years. When compared to the similar figures in the early 1970s, the rates of prevalence of diagnosed autism were estimated to be about 1 in 2,500 in the early 1970s [3] which is many times lower than the present rates.
While the above numbers suggest that there has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of diagnosed autism over the past few decades, it has also fueled an ongoing debate and an uncertainty about what portion of the rise in diagnosed autism is because of a real increase in the condition and how much is due to the fact that more cases are being diagnosed due to better and expanding diagnosis. In this study, we would conduct an in-depth study to find out answers to this question as well...
For this purpose, this research would require undertaking a close examination of both qualitative and quantitative aspects of research and incorporate ideas and proven facts from previous researchers.
According to a research done by Rice et al., on the changes in the prevalence of the Autism Spectrum Disorders, the disease is expected to happen in about one percent of children in the United States. The researchers claim that this rate of prevalence is very similar to the rates that of the disease that is seen in other countries (Rice et al., n.d.). Also, in a research work titled "A comparison of temporal trends in the United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors," researcher Cynthia D Nevison conducts a study on figures that indicate a significant rise in cases of diagnosed autism in the U.S. since the early 1970s. The researcher, while studying the reality of the phenomenal rise in the incidents concludes: "The increase is mainly real and has occurred mostly since the late 1980s. In contrast, children's exposure…
The published results also show that female students with special needs that had been placed in a general education setting were less satisfactorily integrated than the males, Bakker explains. Why general education students rejected girls in this context requires additional research, according to the authors. On the other hand, this research in no way should be interpreted as negative regarding the concept of mainstreaming students with special needs. M.J. Reid and
Autism has reached epidemic proportions between American children with cases increasing amongst adults and children worldwide. Treatments initially began with helping children improve their social and communication skills. With medications like risperidone and aripiprazole to treat irritability, children with autism were managed short-term. However, these medications only present a temporary fix with symptoms continuing after stopping of medication and symptoms recurring even with higher doses. For there to be a
The children were scored in terms of whether they imitated the action that had been modeled for them as well as for the presence of any "errors" -- the introduction of actions not in the modeled behavior. The results were then subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. The researchers found, in contrast to previous similar research, that children with both conditions did not evidence any greater problems with either gross motor
As noted in the located research, "individuals with autism may have an IQ at any level. By convention, if an individual with autism has an IQ in the normal range (or above), they are said to have 'high-functioning autism' (HFA)." (Baron-Cohen, 1) For a parent with a young child who exhibits signs of true intelligence or even of prominent and unique talents, the understanding of autism as a disorder
In fact, the CDC continues, a scientific review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has concluded that there is no justification for believing that "a casual relationship" exists between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism (CDC). The CDC believes that "about 1 in 150 children have ASD" (autism) -- quite a different number in comparison with the NAA's data -- and the CDC explains that it is approaching the research into the
One study examined the impact that spiritual or religious faith had on families with autistic children. In this study 49 families of autistic children were examined for signs of stress either psychologically, emotionally or health wise. The study looked at participants who had autistic children between the ages of 4 and 20 years old. The study concluded that parents who have a strong religious or spiritual faith and support from