Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). What is the etiology and causes of autism spectrum disorders?

Researchers are looking at several ideas, including the connection between inheritance, genetics, and medical issues. What is the precise etiology of autism? Is it abnormalities in brain structure or function or Environmental?

The paper should be written as a narrative in complete sentences and paragraphs (no bullets).It should follow the writing guidelines delineated by the most recent APA edition.

Must be Minimum 6-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the University Writing Center’s APA Style (Links to an external site.) resource.

Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction

The developmental disorder entails persistent problems in speech, interactions, repetitive behaviors, and non -verbal communication. According to Lord et al. (2020), the symptoms are considered persistent; the severity and effects of symptoms manifest differently in each person. The first diagnosis occurs around 2-3 years, but some children present in toddlerhood when losing previous skills. According to Lord et al. (2018), an estimation of one in fifty-nine children presents with autism disorder. The disorder manifests three to four times in boys than girls. Fuller and Kaiser (2020) confirm that the condition is lifelong; however, kids diagnosed with it live productive and fulfilling lives. In addition, most children with autism have average intelligence. However, some may indicate mildness or significant delays.

Characteristics of Autism in Individuals

Since autism varies from individual to individual, there is a significant variation in the abilities and traits in children with the disorder. For instance, there are no two children who can appear to behave similarly. The traits fall into two categories which may include: -

 Social interaction and communication difficulties. It entails understanding, sharing interests, hobbies, emotions, difficulty making friends, overreaction to the five senses, and responding to social cues like eye contact. Fuller and Kaiser (2020) support that autistic children may experience difficulties with changes in the environment, caregivers, and routines. They may show more extraordinary ability in an area and challenges over the other. They may experience constraints in the color and smell of certain substances like foods.

Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors or activities. The child speaks uniquely, exhibits interests in unusual activities, indifference in sensory aspects, hand flapping and toe-walking, and fascinations with movements.

Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder

According to the research done by Mayo Clinic, the disorder has no single cause because there are a variety of causes with a variety of signs and symptoms. They confirm that the north environment and genetics play an essential role.

Genetics. Grove et al. (2019) confirm that 80% of causes of the autism spectrum are due to inherited genes; therefore, environmental factors contribute to only 20% of the disorder. Various genes are reported to cause autism. In children, the disorder may be associated with genetic disorders like fragile X syndrome. In others, a change in genetic makeup occurs, thereby increasing the chances of disorder. The mutated genes may have affected how the brain cell communicates or its development. They can also indicate the severity of symptoms. Mutations may occur due to inheritance or spontaneously. Some mutations change a single DNA base pair. Mutations that occur due to autism are in a rare form—the fewer the cells affected by mutations, the milder the contribution towards autism.

Environmental factor. Masi et al. (2017) Support that researches are still ongoing to explore several environmental factors that may trigger autism. The factors include complications during pregnancy, medications, and infections. Air pollutants may also be considered a trigger of autism. Previous studies done indicate that no link exists between the disorder and any vaccines. An increase in the environmental variance of underlying characteristics enhances a slight variance in genetic makeup. Prenatal exposure to certain chemicals like pesticides may trigger autism in a child. Immune disorders like autoimmune disease, diabetes, and obesity in pregnant women expose a child to the disorder. Psychologists suggest that antibodies present in mothers during pregnancy may interfere with the child's cognitive development, leading to autism. Gestational diabetes exposes children to developmental disabilities. Exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic compounds disrupt zinc- copper recycles that regulate the metabolism of metals in the body.

According to Lord et al. (2020), early diagnosis is essential to help in treatment intervention procedures that will help in reducing the severity of the symptoms of autism. They confirm that it is essential in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with the disorder and their families. Surprisingly, there are no medical tests done for the disorder; however, observable movements and speech in a child are made while comparing to other children of the same age. Diagnosis is typically involving taking to the child by asking relevant questions concerning the family members and parents.

Autism spectrum disorder affects the process of brain development in children, therefore, determines their behavior. Victims of the condition manifest with extreme behavior challenges. In some situations, children may appear different because they avoid eye contact or become obsessed with specific disorders. Adolescents are also affected by the disorder called Infantile autism that may progress to adulthood. Researchers suggest that the disorder affects neurological development. Spectrum entails a series of stages and syndromes that may feature in children with autism. Although the disorder affects communication and interaction, other traits may be anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Some of the complications in autism may be accompanied by eating or hyperactive disorders (Lord et al., 2020).

Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed in two different stages, whereby the first involves evaluating a child's development by a skilled health professional like a pediatrician. The evaluation shows any concerns about the child's behaviors. The second stage entails in-depth evaluation in the health area with experience in different specialties. During this period, a child may be classified as autistic. It is evident enough that a correct diagnosis can be made on children with two years of age.

According to psychologists, the symptoms must manifest before the age of three, but early diagnosis is challenging due to non-specify in symptoms below two years of age. Several theories exist concerning the etiology of the Autism spectrum. Grove et al. (2019) argue that genetic variation may cause autism, but the exact cause of gene manipulation is not known. Abnormalities during neonatal development of a child are more of consequences of autism. They may manifest through deficiency of oxygen during birth. There are potential benefits of establishing the diagnosis of genetic etiology. It helps in improving the accuracy of counseling provided to families of the patients. It provides conditions specific for family support, like improving psychosocial outcomes (Lord et al.,2020). It identifies and treats medical conditions that are related to genotypes. It refines treatments by preventing therapeutic interventions that may not be proven. Helps in avoiding unnecessary diagnostic test that may be unnecessary or uncomfortable.

Communication and social interaction problems can lead to challenges in school and overall work performance. It leads to problems such as social interaction, employment concerns, and the inability to leave independently. Due to the increased number of children with autism, several factors increase a child's risk. If a child has the disorder in a family, there is the probability of having another child with the same condition. Grove et al. (2019) confirm that if a brother develops the disorder, then a probability of 35% of the other siblings may have. Studies do suggest that boys and four times more likely to manifest the condition than girls. Masi et al. (2017) babies born before the 26weeks of gestation period risk of developing the disorder. A connection exists between autistic conditions and children born to agy parents.

Interventions on Autism

Strategies on behavioral interventions focus on social communication skills, especially on children at a younger age. Early interventions upon diagnosis enhance better long-term outcomes. Every child or autistic individual may react differently to interventions. Occupational and speech therapy intervention is effective for some children because it builds social skills (Fuller and Kaiser, 2020). Best interventions rely on the victim's age, challenges, differences, and strengths. It is crucial to understand that autistic children can get ill or injuries just like the others. Children with the disorder should be monitored on health developments by paying attention to all symptoms that may be related. The interventions are essential to assist individuals with ASD in completing their education, finding employment, improving daily functioning, and participating in communal activities. Interventions are subdivided into nutrition approaches, complementary and alternative medicine, behaviors and verbal approaches, and medications.

Applied behavior analysis is widely accepted because it enhances positive behaviors to improve several skills. Assistive technology helps in improving communication and interaction with other people. It involves the use of electronic tablets and communication boards. The child is taught using pictures, symbols, conversations, and speech-generating devices. Speech therapy helps in learning verbal communication skills. Dietary approaches are a form of treatment that reduces symptoms of autism (Fuller and Kaiser, 2020). They include the elimination of some foods from a child's diet while incorporating vitamins and mineral supplements. Some diets change how a child acts or feels. Special diets help in promoting average growth and development in children.

 As Fuller and Kaiser (2020) mentioned, consuming required calories and nutrients helps provide energy, influencing behavior and mood. Special diets may be effective alone or under a combination.  The diets involved may include a yeast-free diet, gluten-free diet, casein-free diet, and specific carbohydrate diet. All the diets aim to relieve stress on the body or severity of autism.  Medications can also make autistic children feel better by reducing anxiety, behavioral reactivity, seizures, and inability to focus. Chelation is effective in eliminating heavy metals from the body system. Wellness education is provided to parents and caregivers concerning ways of handling their children home. It gives an in-depth understanding of autism in society. 

Conclusion

Autistic disorder is a lifelong brain development condition characterized by different behaviors manifesting differently in affected victims. The differences present people with several difficulties in how they interact with people and objects in the surrounding. For proper diagnosis of autism, the symptoms should be evident from childhood and present with impairment in daily activities. Today the disorder is a significant public health concern with numerous treatments that maximize learning and social fluency. Theoretical causes may prove the links to those affected with autism that there is a remedy to help but not cure. Parents and caregivers should receive all forms of support to handle victimized children by adopting an individualized family service plan.  They should stick to a recommended diet to avoid the severity and progression of the disorder. Autistic people should be allowed to communicate freely with others without any obstacles due to speech problems. The government should create awareness of autism by providing free therapy sessions and job opportunities for autistic individuals.

OUTLINE

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Thesis statement: The developmental disorder entails persistent problems in speech, interactions, repetitive behaviors, and non -verbal communication

• Introduction
• Characteristics of Autism in Individuals
• Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Interventions on Autism
• Conclusion