Autism: From Refrigerator Mothers to Modern Causes - Essay Sample

Introduction

Autism is known to most as a developmental disorder which is often characterised by delays as well as variations in the modes of communication and social interaction of an individual. Autism can also be characterized by some repetitive behaviour or even specific restricted interests. However, the theories which support the causes of autism have undergone changes with time beginning with the idea of "refrigerator mothers" which it implies that children can become autistic as a result of the failure to children to cope up with unfeeling mothers all the way to more educational theories (Koyama & Ikegaya, 2015). Customary researches have focused basically on the genetic also known to be the fundamental brain causes of autism. However, contemporary studies are focusing more on the extrinsic factors which may cause secondary effects to the brain such as the role of numerous biochemical factors. This paper aims at evaluating the prevalence of autism as well as its pathophysiological disease process.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

According to Zablotsky, Black, Maenner, Schieve & Blumberg, (2015), the prevalence of autism has dramatically risen within the past two decades as a result of various reasons. According to the article by Zablotsky et al., (2015), the prevalence reports as of 2014 show that despite the progress that has been made on dealing with the cases of autism, there is still much to be done because, in the year 2014, one out of 59 children was diagnosed with autism which recorded an increase of fifteen per cent from the statistics of 2012 in the United States. However, areas like New Jersey have experienced variations in the prevalence even as of 2014 recording a percentage increase of 20 per cent with 1 out of 34 as the basis of comparison (Zablotsky et al., 2015). Consequently, there has been a decrease in the gender gap of those who are diagnosed with autism because the prevalence of boys diagnosed with autism is higher compared to that of girls. Such that, boys are four times more possible to be spotted with autism than girls which relates to 1 out of 37 compared to 1 out of 151 as by 2014 which appears to be a more narrow gap than that of 2012 (Zablotsky et al., 2015).

On the same note, the CDC has also filed reports of findings that the ethnic gap for diagnosis with autism has also narrowed since the year 2012 to 2014 as white children are more probable to be established with autism as compared to the minority kids especially the black children ("CDC increases estimate of autism's prevalence by 15 per cent, to 1 in 59 children | Autism Speaks", 2019). Controversially, the reports by the CDC do not record any changes in the age of diagnosis with autism because by the year 2014; children were could still be diagnosed of autism by age four even though autism can also be diagnosed at age 2. For one to understand the autism disorder, it is significant to acknowledge its related anatomy and physiology. The cerebellum has been recognised to be one of the brain components mostly affected by autism. Known to most be that cerebellum plays a vital role in motor coordination and learning hence making it a significant contributor in the neural reinforcements of autism disorder alongside behavioural consequences beyond the motor purview.

Autism is commonly known to have somewhat complex and indefinite pathogenesis. The conclusive approaches that stimulate autism are not well advanced even though some theoretical approaches tend to pay attention to the way autism disrupts the healthy cerebral development as well as its consequent repercussions on the functional brain unit. Koyama & Ikegaya (2015) conclude that there is no transparent approach of mechanisms outlined to simple pathogenesis as well as a convenient connection to autism on the individual level. However, there are various theories that are put forward to explain the development of autism. Regarding the laboratory and diagnostic tests for autism, there are no ultimate tests for autism except the fact that there is research to enhance biomarkers which would include genetic tests as well as brain imaging tests. The current diagnosis of autism is based on visible symptoms and child behaviour ("Testing & Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children | Boston Children's Hospital", 2019).

The signs of autism can range from concentration on a single item, often unresponsiveness, lack of understanding social prompts such as tonal variation, sometimes monotonous engagements or even self-abusive manners like head-banging. The rigorousness of these signs tends to vary among personalities. Similarly, the signs and symptoms can also vary even for babies although some common symptoms may include reduced eye contact, paying too much attention to one item together with the lack of back and forward play (Donohue, Childs, Richards & Robins, 2019). Extremely young children who are also likely to suffer from autism may also portray loss of interest in social contact or even at times social withdrawal. Regarding the treatment for autism, there is neither proven treatment nor cure for autism as of present, however; some medications can be administered to help deal with some symptoms such as difficulty focusing, insomnia, seizures as well as depression. Additionally, research has also shown that the prescription can be most operative when it is combined with behaviour therapies (Donohue et al., 2019).

The outcomes of autism may vary as kids identified with autism at a premature age may be treated and experience some improvement to frequently interact with their peers. However, research has shown that up to 49% of adults diagnosed with autism still stay with their parents and hardly 12% seeking employment (Dr Ananya Mandal, 2019). According to Dr Ananya Mandal (2019), the prognosis of autism also depends on the diseases that coexist with it. Finally, it is essential to note that diagnosis of autism is usually done by various professionals depending on their different levels of proficiency.

References

CDC increases the estimate of autism's prevalence by 15 per cent, to 1 in 59 children | Autism Speaks. (2019). Retrieved 7 September 2019, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/cdc-increases-estimate-autisms-prevalence-15-percent-1-59-children

Donohue, M. R., Childs, A. W., Richards, M., & Robins, D. L. (2019). Race influences parent report of concerns about symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 23(1), 100-111. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317722030

Dr Ananya Mandal, M. (2019). Autism Prognosis. Retrieved 7 September 2019, from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Autism-Prognosis.aspx

Koyama, R., & Ikegaya, Y. (2015). Microglia in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders. Neuroscience Research, 100, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2015.06.005

Testing & Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children | Boston Children's Hospital. (2019). Retrieved 7 September 2019, from http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/a/autism-spectrum-disorders/testing-and-diagnosis

Zablotsky, B., Black, L. I., Maenner, M. J., Schieve, L. A., & Blumberg, S. J. (2015). The estimated prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities following questionnaire changes in the 2014 National Health Interview Survey. Accessed from https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/38790