Transcript Autism - Humble ISD

AUTISM
BETSY GUILLEN
MS.BROWN
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
6TH PRD
CAUSE OF AUTISM
Many causes of autism have been proposed, but understanding of
the theory of causation of autism and the other autism spectrum
disorders is incomplete. It was once thought that heritability
contributes about 90% of the risk of a child developing autism,
but environmental factors have been underestimated, and genetics
overestimated, for their roles in autism-spectrum disorders. In
rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause
birth defects. Many other causes have been proposed, such as
childhood immunizations, but numerous clinical studies have shown
no scientific evidence supporting any link between vaccinations
and autism.
IS AUTISM DOMINANT OR
RECESSIVE ?
•
Autism is not entirely genetic. If it was, there would be no cases of
identical twins where one is autistic & one is not.
But genetics is a major factor in autism. I usually tell people "a person
does not inherit autism as much as they inherit the vulnerability to
develop autism.
•
They could be dominant, but autism will only result if all the required
genes are present. Only if a child inherits all 6 genes, will he be
autistic.
hen speaking of dominant and recessive traits, it is simply a way of saying that one
characteristic more than likely will be dominant over another one. I think the genetics
involved are much more complicated than just dominant and recessive genes are for
say, eye color. I don't think it's all in the genes either. I think our genes can make
some more predisposed to respond different ways to environmental influences. This
WHAT EFFECTS OF THE BIRTH DEFECT
ON INFANTS AND CHILDREN
• The autistic child is deprived of most of the
learning processes that occur through sensory
experiences that are normally shared between
him and his mother or caregiver.
• He is not able to understand the social and
emotional cues that are happening around him.
Unable to learn from watching the behavior of
others, he will he not model what he cannot
understand.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
• Presently, there is no medical test that can diagnose autism.
Instead, specially trained physicians and psychologists
administer autism-specific behavioral evaluations.
• From birth to at least 36 months of age, every child should be
screened for developmental milestones during routine well
visits.
• A typical diagnostic evaluation involves a multi-disciplinary
team of doctors including a pediatrician, psychologist, speech
and language pathologist and occupational therapist.
LIST THE SYMPTOMS
•
Children with autism generally have problems in three
crucial areas of development social interaction, language
and behavior. But because autism symptoms and severity
vary greatly, two children with the same diagnosis may
act quite differently and have strikingly different skills. In
most cases, though, children with severe autism have
marked impairments or a complete inability to
communicate or interact with other people.
What are screening tests are
conducted for the disorder?
 Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be difficult,
since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the
disorders. Doctors look at the child’s behavior and development
to make a diagnosis.
 ASDs can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By
age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be
considered very reliable. However, many children do not receive
a final diagnosis until much older. This delay means that
children with an ASD might not get the help they need.
WHAT ARE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS That ARE DONE TO DETERMINE IF THE BABY
HAS THE DISORDER?
•
Genetic tests are done by analyzing small samples of blood or body tissues.
They determine whether you, your partner, or your baby carry genes for
certain inherited disorders.
•
Genetic testing has developed enough so that doctors can often pinpoint
missing or defective genes. The type of genetic test needed to make a
specific diagnosis depends on the particular illness that a doctor suspects.
ARE THERE ANY TREATMENTS FOR THIS DISORDER? HOW IS
IT TREATED?
•
Discovering that your child has an autism spectrum
disorder can be an overwhelming experience. For some,
the diagnosis may come as a complete surprise; others
may have had suspicions and tried for months or years
to get an accurate diagnosis.
•
In either case, a diagnosis brings a multitude of
questions about how to proceed. A generation ago, many
people with autism were placed in institutions.
HOW CAN GENETIC COUNSELING BE HELPFUL TO POTENTIAL PARENTS
•
Genetic counseling can be provided by any professional who offers genetic
testing to a family, diagnoses a child with a condition that has a genetic
component, or thinks a child may be at risk for a genetic condition. There are,
however, actual genetic counselors who are specially trained not only as
communicators who can help translate complicated scientific information for
families, but also as counselors who can help families cope with their emotional
response to that information, and integrate it into their lives, decision-making,
and way of thinking.
•
When a genetic counselor works with a family, their main goal is to help the
family understand the genetic situation so they can make informed decisions
and cope better with whatever set of circumstances they face.
Is there a specific group of people this
disorder affects the most?
• Autistic spectrum disorders affect the way a person
communicates with, and relates to, other people. Many (but not
all) people with an autistic spectrum disorder also have a learning
disability. People with autistic spectrum disorders usually need
specialist care and education.
• Autism is a group of similar disorders with varying degrees of
severity. So the term autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) is often
used rather than autism.