DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Name

University

Course

Instructor

Date

Introduction

Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals at different levels. It is popular in children and every child with the disorder is found to portray different symptoms and challenges. Therefore, parents and people involved in childcare should seek and understand knowledge on the symptoms. They should also understand how to prevent or look for solution at the right time. In this paper, a report on Scott, an eleven-year-old child suspected to be a victim of the disorder will be critically assed and presented.

Discussion

Basing our argument on the life of Scott, it is right understanding the following; he is an eleven-year-old boy, who resides with his nuclear family (Father, Mother and elder brother). They live in South London and the boy is observed to be academically fit in that he performs well in math’s and is very good in spelling and English vocabulary. Despite this, his English teacher complains of the child’s challenge in pronunciation and imagination skills.

Currently, the school has much concern on the boys’ changed behavior outside class work. He is reported to have poor social skills and always found alone. In other words, this child has no close friends and never associates with fellow schoolmates. He is unfriendly and very violent towards many children. Contrary to the fact that the boy is hot tempered, he is also calm.

The parents were more worried of the son’s report from the teachers. They thus remembered his character while small, whereby, the boy was organized and a very quick leaner. It was hard to find him crying and was always found seated quiet. He was very different from his brothers in that he never played imaginative games and would cry when the parents are dressing him. Therefore, this shows the boy had very unique characters, which were of great concern to both teachers and parents.

Therefore, it is advisable for the parents to take the child for diagnosis of spectrum disorder. By definition, this is a combination of growth disorders calledautism spectrum abbreviated as ASD, in which a victim has many symptoms owing to the fact that, they have unique skills with different disabilities (Gnaulati, 2013).

Autism spectrum disorder comprises of five-child development condition referred to as pervasive developmental disorders (Keehn, 2011). Scientists have observed that the common autism spectrum disorders are autism, asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. These disorders are not inherited from parents hence not considered to result from family medical history.

The three most common spectrum disorders have similar symptoms but differ in strength and impact to the body. The classic autism also known as autistic disorder, affects victim’s character more compared to asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. This is evident by data records by spectrum center that only a quarter of individuals on spectrum, suffer from classic type, while the majority is affected by milder type. Therefore, although classic is the strongest type, milder is found to affect many people. 

Research has shown that, the different types of spectrum disorders have same symptoms hence it is very challenging to diagnose and differentiate more so when the victim is beginning to feel the disorder. As a parent, if a child is expressing complicated character trait while growing up, always take a wise action of seeking clearance from doctor. This will help in understanding the state of the child hence giving them the required treatment and care. It is better to prevent the disorder at early stage before maturity. Professionals are skilled enough to tell if a child has any autistic disorder and offering the best solution (Mulick& American Psychological Association, 2006).

Spectrum disorders are more popular in children and are passed from parent to child or caused by environmental factors. Looking at the genetic factors, it is good to note the following; if children are twins and one is a victim, then the identical twin brother or sister will have the disorder. Additionally, research has shown that, if a sibling has this disorder, there is great probability of the other siblings having a percentage of ASD.

Currently, scientists are trying to seek knowledge on the specific genes that increase this disorder, after the discovery that there are particular genes that are mostly involved in ASD. They have successfully realized that, the victims of this disorder have no family history of the same. Therefore, they have come to conclusion that, those who are found to be victims of autism get it as a result of gene mutation. The change in original genetic composition results to positive and negative effects, whereby, one of the negative results of gene mutation is development of different disorders (Gerhardt & Crimmins, 2013).

Additionally, the autism disorder is found to be caused by environmental factors. Scholars are working hard to understand impact of gene interaction and environmental forces resulting to the spread of the disorder. Some of the external forces resulting to disorder are, gases that we inhale, bathing and drinking water, Consumption of medical products prescribed to us by medical professions and any other item that come into conduct with our bodies.

External forces also include our environment before birth. According to Autism Association (Singapore), & Singapore, (2003), anything that is exposed to unborn child while at their mother’s womb, may greatly affect them resulting to various disorders .While growing, the socialization process of a child may also contribute to the disorder. For example, if the child is socialized in a way never to entertain fellow children, then this may affect future character of the child.

Another socialization problem occurs when the parents were never calm and were always involved in fight. The child may develop character of arrogance and violence towards others. Moreover, scholars have observed that many external factors such as family medication and mother’s behavior during pregnancy such as consumption of alcohol is contributing to spread of this disorder. They have discovered that poor parental age, exposure to toxins and complications during birth or pregnancy highly facilitate ADS disorder. Therefore, multiple environmental forces and genetic factors contribute to increasing problem of ASD. Some external factors are found to turn some genes off resulting to epigenetic hence increased ADS disorder.

Basing our argument on the symptoms of autism spectrum, it is right asserting that patients with the disorder, both adults and children, have problem in socializing with others. Their ability to give fluent and effective speech is poor and they have extra ordinary interests. Therefore, parents are required to seek advice from qualified professionals in case they notice any character indicating autism disorder. This is because, presence of few characters does not mean the child is a victim, but precautionary measures are usually the best. Scientists have argued that, for one to be diagnosed of the disorder, they must express multiple traits of the symptom. A psychologist should look for different forces and traits that interfere with patient’s ability to establish good relationship with others. Furthermore, if the patient is a child, the doctor should get many reasons for child reluctance to playing with others, carrying out adventure, or exploring places and things. The reason as to why the children hate getting new ideas should be established.

Basing our discussion on the poor social skills, the following symptoms are evident on the daily life of a people on autism spectrum disorder; negative body communication such as poor posture, ignoring eye contact while talking or failure to facially show what they are verbally saying (Turkington & Anan, 2007). Moreover, the victims like isolating themselves from other people and never care about others; it is all about their achievements and interests and thus they do not care if their activities or actions harm others or are for the good of others. They show little concern on other people’s non-verbal communication and do not take time to understand others.

Any person on ADS disorder is very selfish and cannot share their properties with others. For example, if a child is awarded a gift, they prevent others from getting into contact with the gift not even holding it. Additionally, autism patients never establish friendship with age mates, and are always working towards loneliness and look for any method possible to dismiss anybody who tries to make friendship with them.

According to Koegel, Koegel, & Kuriakose, (2012), speech and language related signs of autism individuals are as shown through various means; some take long to start talking while developing or they fail to talk at all. They grow to use nonverbal speech like, showing signs by use of hands or facial signs. If an individual speaks in extremely low tone or high tone, then one is said to be autistic. Additionally, an individual who repeat a word more than two times while talking is said to have spectrum disorder. Furthermore, stammering while speaking expresses poor communication, hence suspected victim of autistic spectrum disorder.

If you give a statement two times or phrases the statement more than once, it indicates a particular disability (Gallo, 2013; Tantam, 2012).Scholars have also argued that if an individual finds it hard to support a conversation after they have stated it, then they are not physically fit. Moreover, when child is not able to begin or end a conversation in the right way making it hard to chat with others or share any development or building ideas, they are suffering from the ADS disorder.

According to Nova, (2013), difficulties in continuing a talk correctly indicate that, the individual has some disorders. A challenge in expressing themselves also gives an indication of a particular disability. Additionally, if one always keeps their problems by themselves without sharing with others to get a solution, they might be suffering from the health problem.

If one cannot openly tell the desires of their heart to others, it shows they are weak in communication. Some victims are expressed by their problem of analyzing simple statements, as they take long before getting to know what another person indicates by giving a relatively easy statement. Moreover, they are also found to make wrong interpretation of statement resulting to incorrect action being taken.

If an autistic person is asked a simple question, they tend to take long time to internalize, understand and give the right answer. Autism individuals always give wrong answers owing to the fact that, they wrongly get what is being questioned. Another character of autism is the inability to take any statement seriously, and whenever a speaker creates humor, they never smile; they are always wearing very stony faces ( Rodriguez, 2011). To a child or adult suffering from autism spectrum disorder, nothing appears ironical and all is similar. An individual with ADS disorder when exposed to a sarcastic environment or situation will not see the sarcasm in it. Basing our argument on behavior and play, individuals with autism spectrum are always strict and obsessed with their activities and tests. They are never moved and stand to their decisions. Some of the people are found to be obsessed with abnormal items such as belt and key holder. They remain attached to these items such that whenever such item disappears from their reach, they may spend a whole day looking for them (Rosenblatt, Carbone & Scherer, 2013).

According to Rosenblatt, Carbone & Scherer, (2013), some autistic victims express body movements, which are always identified with them; they keep on repeating the same and find it hard to develop new moves. For example, an individual can be found to have a constant way of resting their body parts such as hand, and in such cases, to tell whether one is a victim of autism spectrum disorder, it is right to observe their interest character.

If a child appears extremely interested on some things such as, maps, places and topics it follows that they are not upright in their brains. Example can be given of individuals who are obsessed by sports or a given play. Goldstein & Naglieri (2013) argue that if one is unable to live without such an event, then they are said to express great signs of ADS. Scholars of psychology have also argued that, if an individual is found to resist change, then they are very highly affected by autism disorder (Morton-Cooper, 2004). They would every time want to do things in the same way hence routine contributes to their happiness; for example, a child who is observed to always align play items in a given manner.

Furthermore, individuals on autism hate violence and always moving or seated with unique posture (Reber, 2012). Additionally, they are found to enjoy abnormal games and are observed to create more interest on games, which are very unique. Children suffering from autism spectrum disorders are not spontaneous while playing contrary to behavior of the other age mates. Whenever an interesting item comes into contact with eyes of little ones, their curiosity rises (Lubetsky, Handen &McGonigle,2011). On the other hand, autistic kids never show interest and they ignore any new object introduced around them.

Furthermore, children suffering from autism spectrum disorder are found to have unique mode of play (Gallo, 2010). Scientists argue that the victims are found to have problems in common play items used by small children, and dislike games involving groups of other children (Towle, 2013).

For a parent, it is always right to note characters, which relate to symptoms of autism disorder to avoid confusion and know how to handle your child. A child with this disorder will be affected by problem of sensing smell or their sensory organs are found to be weak; they respond extremely faster or slowly to changing stimuli (Benaron, 2009).

Sometimes they never hear others talking to them to an extent of looking deaf. To the contrary, they are highly disturbed by very soft and low sounds and sounds of sweet low melody irritate them. They use hands to prevent their ears against those sounds. Kids suffering from autism spectrum are said to have high sensitivity to anything that come into conduct with their body.

Analyzing the emotional characters of the children, Amaral, Dawson &Geschwind, (2011) argued that autistic children experience great challenges emotionally. Regulation of emotions by the victims is said to be very poor; an example is expressed of such a child who often cries or smiles without a good reason. Exposed to pressure, autism victim may disturb everything around them (Stone & DiGeronimo, 2006). They may disarrange everything in the house causing harm to their bodies and others.

According to the report released the national body responsible for little ones with body disorders, autistic children are observed to take risk by not fearing or concentrating on dangerous actions like crossing road as vehicles are moving and being more sensitive on less harmful things like mosquitoes.

Moreover, a child with autism disorder may have poorly distributed cognitive abilities. This disorder is found to affect children despite their intelligence level, (Lubetsky, Handen & McGonigle, 2011; Murray-Slutsky & Paris, 2000).

Their verbal qualities are poor compared to sign communication. Any role requiring faster thinking and visual understanding appear cheap to autism spectrum victims compared to symbolic responsibilities. Basing our argument on the process of diagnosis, it is good to understand the steps require in the whole process. First, a child is required to visit a doctor for test on the autism disorder. It has been argued that autism cannot be tested through medical test such as blood examination. Doctors should observe the kids character as they grow for the purpose of diagnosing the disorder. In my case with the child suspected to have autism spectrum disorder, I would examine the character as presented by teachers and the information concerning his development life, (Baio, 2012). This would help in determining the level of autism disorder (Verdick, Reeve &Kobyluch, 2012).

This disorder is detected at the age of one and half years and below. It is advisable to take a child for diagnosis at age of two years and ensure that qualified professionals do the diagnosis. Therefore, for right diagnosis of Scott, I would seek more information from his parents regarding the kid’s medical history; whether he has ever been examined. Additionally, his parents would be required to inform me on his development character and his behavior with others and any object he encountered. In other words, I would question the parents on the character traits of their child.

As a psychologist, I would carefully listen to their presentation requesting them to give any journal they may have concerning the daily actions of Scott. Furthermore, I would seek information on the family medical and brain history to get more understanding on whether the child has inherited the character from any of them.

While carrying out the study, the second step would be, examining the fitness of a victim and carrying out physical and genetic examination (Prelock & McCauley, 2012). Following the discussion on gene mutation as great cause of autism spectrum disorders, it would be right to test the child genetic information.

I would not consider hearing as they might have occurred as result of language socialization problem. The child would be examined of any challenges to do with sensitivity. Furthermore as a professional, I would observe the character of Scott’s emotional behavior and his interactions with others. Borrowing from the information given by teachers, this child is always isolating him and never participates in childish games with other students (Chawarska, Klin & Volkmar, 2008). The final step would be screening Scott for any poison that would be affecting him resulting to the abrupt change of behavior that the teachers are currently noticing.

Preferably, the test for poison should be examined on lead poison, (Hollander, 2003). Scholars have asserted that presence of lead metal in individuals’ body may result to signs of autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, I would take the child for screening. As a professional advisor, I would ensure the following examinations are done to Scott; I would look more into information concerning the kind of speech that comes out of his mouth, and his communication. I would enquire from the parents on how the child understands questions or statement given to him.

Additionally, the cognitive level of Scott would be established. Basing our study on his performance in class, the math’s teacher argued that he is bright and performs very well. The English teacher says he has good vocabulary skills but finds it a challenging to spell some English words. Furthermore, the teacher says this boy is weak in imaginative English questions. Basing my study on his school examination results, the boy appear to be very bright. In my case, although the child was detected at the age of eleven years, I would consider the information by the parents (O’Kelley, Griffith, Klinger & McCurry, 2009). They argued that at his early age, Scott would never play with other children of his age and was very organized (Berkell,2005). He was obsessed by the tins, which he would arrange them in a given manner. He was calm and always isolated himself from age mates.

Basing our argument on the ravens skills, it has been noted that the boy has extraordinary abilities. His progressive matrix shows he had 75th score. His performance as evident in British vocabulary scales shows that, this boy is unique to some extent. He is observed to have good vocabulary unlike the other children in the school getting 65 percent at his age is a very unique performance.

Additionally, Scotts adaptive behavior as observed in Vinland scale is found to show evidence of an extra ordinary child. The scale shows he is adequate in receptive behavior. This is a behavior expressed by a child who is 8 years old yet Scott is 11 years old. Furthermore, his written skill is equivalent to 14 year kid. Interpersonal relationship, play and leisure and coping skills are very low. Scott’s community and domestic Vinland behavior was observed to be moderately low. This is a true evidence of unique features of the boy under examination.

He is socially challenged as he never entertains seating and sharing ideas with fellow classmates. The headmistress asserted that, this child was always found lonely around the school class corridors. Following the above discussion on symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and the overview of the child on the study, it is right arguing that Scott is suffering from the suspected disorder.

Therefore, I would advise the parents to take the boy to a professional doctor for testing on poison by lead metal and consider looking into any socialization challenge that might have contributed to the disorder ( Koegel, Koegel & Kuriakose, 2012). I would encourage the parents to look for more treatment from Child psychiatrists, Speech pathologists, Developmental pediatricians, Pediatric neurologists, Audiologists and Physical therapists, and Special education teachers can do this. For medical treatment, Scott’s parents would be required to buy Antipsychotics such as Risperidone for their child, (Reber, 2012). Additionally, they should buy stimulant medicine Ritalin and Serotinin, which are antidepressants. It is also advisable to give the child secretin, which will help indigestion. Chelation therapy is also good treatment as it helps remove metal poison such as lead.

Conclusion

As a professional, I would advise that all parents should ensure that they regularly take their children to specialists for examination (McCandless, Binstock & Zimmerman, 2003). This would help in reducing the severe impacts on children. They should also make sure they have good knowledge on symptoms of autism spectrum disorder to treat their kids in the right way.

References

Amaral, D., Dawson, G.,&Geschwind, D. H. (2011). Autism spectrum disorders. New York: Oxford University Press.

Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, United States, 2006. Atlanta, GA

Berkell, Z. D. (2005). Autism spectrum disorders: Identification, education, and treatment. Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Benaron, L. D. (2009). Autism. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.

Chawarska, K., Klin, A., & Volkmar, F. R. (2008). Autism spectrum disorders in infants and toddlers: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.

Gallo, D. P. (2010).Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders: A lifespan perspective.Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

Gnaulati, E. (2013). Back to normal: Why ordinary childhood behavior is mistaken for ADHD, bipolar disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Boston: Beacon Press.

Gerhardt, P. F.,&Crimmins, D. B. (2013). Social skills and adaptive behavior in learners with autism spectrum disorders: [current status and future directions].Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub.Co.

Goldstein, S., & Naglieri, J. A. (2013). Interventions for autism spectrum disorders: Translating science into practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Gallo,F. R. (2013). Encyclopedia of autism spectrum disorders.New York, NY: Springer. Shannon, J. B. (2011). Autism and pervasive developmental disorders sourcebook: Basic consumer health information about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) including autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) : along with facts about causes, symptoms, assessment, interventions, treatments, and education, tips for family members and teachers on the transition to adulthood. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics.

Hollander, E. (2003).Autism spectrum disorders.New York:

Koegel, R. L., Koegel, L. K., & Kuriakose, S. (2012). The PRT pocket guide: Pivotal response treatment for autism spectrum disorders. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub.

Lubetsky, M. J., Handen, B. L.,&McGonigle, J. J. (2011). Autism spectrum disorder. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Morton-Cooper, A. (2004). Health care and the autism spectrum: A guide for health professionals, parents and carers. London: Jessica Kingsley.

McCandless, J., Binstock, T., & Zimmerman, J. (2003). Children with starving brains: A medical treatment guide for autism spectrum disorder. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Bramble Books.

Marcel Dekker. Keehn, B. M. (2011). Investigations of attention in autism spectrum disorder: Are anomalies in attention related to the development of sociocommunicativeimpairments?.La Jolla: University of California, San Diego.

Mulick, J. A.,& American Psychological Association. (2006). Autism spectrum disorders.Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Murray-Slutsky, C.,& Paris, B. A. (2000). Exploring the spectrum of autism and pervasive developmental disorders: Intervention strategies.Tucson, Ariz: Therapy Skill Builders.

Community Development and Sports.

Nova S..(2013). Developing and implementing programming for students with autism spectrum disorder. Halifax, N.S: Nova Scotia Dept. of Education.

O’Kelley, S. E., Griffith, E. M. M., Klinger, L. G., & McCurry, S. A. (2009). Diagnosis and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Waco, Tex: Prufrock Press.

Prelock, P. A., & McCauley, R. J. (2012). Treatment of autism spectrum disorders: Evidence-based intervention strategies for communication and social interactions. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.

Reber, M. (2012). The autism spectrum: Scientific foundations and treatment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rodriguez, A. M. (2011). Autism spectrum disorders. Minneapolis, MN: Twenty-First Century Books.

Rosenblatt, A. I., Carbone, P. S.,& Scherer, W. (2013). Autism spectrum disorders: What every parent needs to know. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Stone, W. L., & DiGeronimo, T. F. (2006).Does my child have autism?: A parent’s guide to early detection and intervention in autism spectrum disorders. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Tantam, D. (2012). Autism spectrum disorders through the life span.London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Towle, P. O. B. (2013). The early identification of autism spectrum disorders: A visual guide.London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Turkington, C., & Anan, R. (2007). The encyclopedia of autism spectrum disorders. New York: Facts On File.

Verdick, E., Reeve, E.,&Kobyluch, N. (2012). The survival guide for kids with autism spectrum (and their parents).disorders.Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publisher. Autism Association Singapore, (2003). “My child has autism!”: A self-help kit for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Singapore: Ministry of Community Development and Sports.

Williams, D. (2003). Exposure anxiety–the invisible cage: An exploration of self-protection responses in the autism spectrum and beyond. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

.