In the first semester of this year, I have a presentation about autism and I have a text, some photos and a video about it.
Autism
is a group of complex developmental brain disorders. In other words, autism is
a physical condition linked to abnormal biology or chemistry in the brain.
What causes autism?
Researches
show that the exact causes of these disorders remain unknown. But there is a
combination of factors that lead to autism.
Genetic
factors seem to be important. For example: both having autism, identical twins
are much more likely than fraternal twins or siblings. Because identical twins
have the same genes. Similarly, autistic
children generally have problems about language. Language abnormalities are
more common in relatives of autistic children. These are roles of genetic
factors.
The
number of autistic events has increased since 1980s. the rate of autism is
increasing between 10 and 17 percent annually. In 1980, autism was a very rare
disorder, it was diagnosed in 1 of 10.000 children in the United States. Now,
it impacts in 1of 110 children in the United States. In Turkey, in 1 of 150
children is diagnosed. Today, children in South Korea shows higher
characteristics of autism than children in the United States. In 1 of 38
children is diagnosed in South Korea. This year more children are diagnosed
with autism than AIDS and cancer & diabetes combined.
How is autism diagnosed?
There
is not any medical test for autism. A diagnosis is based on observed behaviors
and some educational or psychological
testing.
In
the first year of their lives, many autistic children do not interact and avoid
eye contact. They may resist attention or passively accept hugs. They may not
seek comfort or respond to parents displays of affection r anger in a typical
way. Although they are attached to their
parents, their expression of this attachment is unusual. Autism can affect the
way a child perceives the world and make communication and social interaction
difficult. All symptoms of autism typically last throughout a person’s
lifetime.
Autistic
children use language unusual way. They can not combine words into meaningful
sentences. Some speaks only single words while some repeat the phrase over and
over. But unfortunately some of them remain mute throughout their lives.
Children
with autism are slower to interpret what others thinking and feeling. For
example; smiling may have little meaning for them. For autistic child, COME
HERE may always mean the same thing whether the speaker is smiling and
extending her arms for a hug.
It
can be difficult to understand for others what autistic children are able to
say. Their body language may also be difficult for others. Their facial
expressions, movements and gestures may not match what they are saying. Their
tone of voice may not reflect their feelings.
Let's watch a video;
Autistic
children can not share their experiences and comment about them. Because they
do not think like others.
It
is common for autistic people to have difficulty in regulating their emotions.
This can take the form of immature behaviors such s crying in a class or verbal
outbursts that seem inappropriate for people around them. They have tendency to
lose control. At times they may breaks things, attack others or hurt
themselves.
They
may simply scream or grab what they ant. Until they are taught better way to
express their needs. Autistic children can do whatever to get through to other.
Children
and also individuals with autism might spend hours lining up their toys.
Typical behaviors of autistic children are that they make their toys in order
and they put objects or toys at the top of the other.
Generally,
they do not want any changes. A slight changes in their routines, such as
mealtimes, clothing, taking a bath, time of going to school etc. can be
extremely stressful for them. They want general order in their lives. Although
they seem physically normal, odd repetitive motions may set them apart from
other children and individuals repeatedly flap their arms or walk on their
toes. Autism can wreck marriages, destroy parents health and challenge the
lives of the extended family. For the person living with autism, this world is
a deeply confusing, isolating and often unhappy place.
A
famous autistic Temple Grandin said that she felt herself like an anthropolog
in Mars because she did not have ability to understand the social
communication.
About
30 percent of autistic children have severe pica. What is pica? Pica is a kind of eating disorder that includes
eating non-food items such as paint, san, paper etc.
Sleep
problems are also common in children and also adolescents with autism. 39 % of
autistic people have also epilepsy.
Children
as young as 1 year old can show signs of autism. The most important thing is
that a parent or a caregiver should learn the early signs of autism. E.g. not
back and forth sharing sounds, smiles by 9th months, no gestures and
babbling by 12th months, no words by 16th months are
crucial signs that parents should ask to a pediatrician for an immediate
evaluation.
The
United Nations declared that April 2nd Autism Awareness Day in order
to increase and develop the world knowledge of autism. So, they want to give a
voice to the millions of individuals in
worldwide who misunderstood, undiagnosed and looking for help. They
invite us to join them to make their aim possible!
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