RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 1

Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Sophia Muhindura 11680432

Oklahoma State University

RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 2

Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism, a neurological and developmental disorder, affects a number of people with

varying severity. At its core, it is a developmental disorder characterized by functional deficits in

social and communicative behavior, language, complex social skills, and joint attention

(Ingersoll, 2006). All of these deficits and how much they affect a person can vary strongly from

case to case, and something as simple as early childhood intervention or as intangible as

paternal genetics can influence what symptoms are exhibited. Although some symptoms can be

assuaged, autism generally results in lifelong impairment and some level of dependence on

caregivers (Rogers, 1996). Similarly, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), is also a brain-based

developmental disorder that mostly affects social interaction and communication (Morin,

2014). Those affected by ASD have trouble thinking flexibly, dealing with change, and struggle

with fixation and obsessive behaviors (Morin, 2014). An estimated 730,000 Americans younger

than the age of 21 are affected by autism spectrum disorders, and autism itself has increased

by 634% from 1987-2002 in the state of California alone (Liu, 2010). As the number of people

affected by autistic disorders increases, there is more research performed but there is also

more awareness to be earned. Children diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorders

are obviously being affected directly, however in addition, the caregiving family is being

emotionally affected. Not to mention both parties are affected socially, seeing as mental illness

and disability are both viewed negatively by our society.

Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood when the child begins missing some

developmental marks. During the first few years of life autistic and non-autistic children make

remarkable developmental strides (Sigman, 1997). Parents of both report similarities in physical
RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 3

and cognitive developmental; however, after the age of 2, autistic children appear over aroused

or overactive making them difficult to calm and put to sleep (Sigman, 1997). They often exhibit

precocious agility and strength but their developing gross motor skills outweigh their cognitive

ability to evaluate danger and risk, giving them a higher risk of injury during the beginning

stages of childhood (Sigman, 1997). Social development is the most polarizing stage between

autistic and non-autistic children (Dawson, 1998). During early childhood, lack of language

development becomes more obvious and soon affects critical social interaction and

experiences. Impairments in selective attention and imitation have been shown to affect the

development of language and will determine how a child interacts with another and can limit

the ability to form and maintain social relations (Dawson, 1998; Ingersoll, 2006). School-age

autistic children are often taken out of from general classrooms into inclusive classrooms

because of these socializing differences (Kasari, 1999). In addition to school systems dividing

these students, some kids are bullied, but oftentimes do not realize. Over half of the parents of

autistic kids screened in a study reported that their child was bullied, but along with that kids

with ASD engage in far fewer social interactions that the norm and reported having fewer

friends (Cappadocia, 2011).

Not many people understand the struggles a family with an autistic child may face. Upon

diagnosis of a child, parents usually go through stages of coping that model the stages of grief

and sometimes the stress is enough to break up the family. Autistic disorders directly affect a

family units daily functioning just as strongly as the childs (Nealy, 2012). Individual members of

a family may experience more stress than others, for example, siblings often experience

increased stress and can sometimes harbor feelings of resentment (Nealy, 2012; Bagenholm,
RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 4

1991). Over time, the family will change how they react and cope to different events because

they have grown accustomed to diffusing events that may provoke an autistic individual (Gray,

2002). Families may experience feelings of loss or depression immediately after diagnosis,

followed by feelings of denial, and these emotions may lead to breakdowns between partners

(Nealy, 2012). In addition, siblings of autistic individuals may feel lonely and have problems with

peers (Bagenholm, 1991). Some families reported decreased opportunities for fun after

coping with the diagnosis to accommodate the childs routine, seeing as deviation of a set

routine can set off an autistic child (Nealy, 2012). Families are often restricted by unpredictable

and socially unacceptable behavior which can cause them to feel increasingly isolated; not to

mention, this restriction can create tension within the family over the child and their care

(Nealy, 2012). Added stressors on the family could come from a financial standpoint. The cost

of doctors visits and therapies and behavioral aids only adds up some families or single-parent

households struggle to afford it. Even for families that can afford the medical expenses, the

need to care for the child full-time may cause a parent to leave their career but those who cant

afford to sacrifice work may end up foster feelings of inadequacy (Nealy, 2012). Stress inside

the family can transition to trouble maintaining social relationships. Time-consuming child care

can obviously strain the familys relationships with others, but also feeling ostracized by a

society of people who dont understand autism can discourage them to reach out (Nealy, 2012).

In dealing with all that comes from handling autism, the dynamic in the immediate family

changes from diagnosis onward, but overtime it tends to become more positive and loving

(Gray, 2002).
RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 5

Autism has a list of uniquely stigmatizing aspects that are not fully understood by our

society. The sliding scale of symptoms differ in severity but can sometimes be disruptive in

nature (Gray, 1993). For example, breaking an autistic childs routine, like going out of order in

a nightly bedtime routine may cause them to throw a tantrum. From personal experience, I

know that going to the grocery store and forcing my nephew to leave the automatic doors he

fixated on was a sure fire way to cause a scene in the produce section. In addition, the physical

appearance of an autistic child is a stigma in itself, and the overall lack of public knowledge and

understanding of autism further polarizes families that have dealt with the disorder (Gray,

1993). As a member of a family who has undergone similar tribulations, I believe the narrative

of autism is all wrong. Many people are familiar with the stories of savants, like rain man for

example, but ordinary autistic individuals can be equally as talented and should be given the

opportunities to prove themselves. When compared to non-autistic individuals, they actually

outperform them in a range of tasks and tests measuring cognitive ability and intelligence

(Mottron, 2011). In the past, researchers held experiments that were not testing them in the

ways they could excel. This is because, the brain of an autistic individual relies less on verbal

centers, meaning that a non-autistic brain will process stimuli visually then verbally while an

autistic one will focus only through visual centers, giving them an edge when spotting patterns

(Mottron, 2011). This means that they will work better in certain settings, like scientific

research for example.

Autism, more often by the public, is perceived as a problem to be fixed. A flu to be cured

or a bug to be squished. Most of the programs in place for children facing autism are aimed to

suppress the behaviors that make them unique. Personally I perceive autism as an abnormality
RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 6

of the brain, which it is, but I dont only see all that comes from the condition as negatives. I see

smart individuals that are being held back by something they cant control. They live in a world

and are controlled by society that is not constructed for them and on top of that- does not

understand them. Instead of giving them opportunity and guided them towards tangible

successes, society shuns and shelters them from a very early age. Obviously some cases are

more severe and some individuals cannot fully function on their own, but there are many who

are more than capable of caring for themselves, holding a job, and living a fulfilling life . The

next step for autism should not just come from a research lab, it should be a new wave of

understanding and acceptance and opportunity from neighbors, teachers, friends, employers,

and even complete strangers on the street. The next step for autism is a change in the

conversation. Understanding the struggle that comes from the disorder and not taking for

granted the simple and unbiased perspective that can come from someone with an autistic

disorder. Autistic individuals are gifted, tenacious, loyal, imaginative, and rarely boring. They

may be different from some of us, but in no way are they any less important or deserve any less

respect.
RUNNING HEAD: Perspectives on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders 7

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