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Researched by Cailin O. |
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Project Report
Introduction
Autism affects many people and my cousin is one of them. That is why I decided to do autism for my independent project. If it weren’t for Dr. Leo Kranner we wouldn’t know about autism. Fragile X syndrome was how autism happened but now doctors have found that genetics have more of an effect with autism. There were people who didn’t believe that people with autism could do certain things. Autism effects 1 out of 150 people and is more common to boys then girls. It effects people different at different ages. There is No Cure, but therapy and treatment can help. There are many different opinions about autism so nobody knows what will be the future for autism. I interviewed Lauri Berriman and she taught me very much about autism.
History
The history with autism goes as far back as 1911 with a Swiss psychiatrist named Eugene Bleuler. He believed that he discovered autism, but really it was just schizophrenia. Autism wasn’t discovered until 1943. Dr. Leo Kranner, of Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital, was responsible for autism’s discovery. Dr. Leo Kranner was one of the first people to publish an article about the disorder and he labeled it autism from a term from the Greek language meaning ‘self.’ His article in 1943 stated basic features of autistic ‘aloneness’ and individuals “inability to relate themselves in ordinary ways to people and situations.” Australian researchers discovered the Fragile X syndrome in the 1970’s. It is responsible for a quarter of males with mental retardation. The Fragile X can also cause autism. Males affected by Fragile X tend to have a large head with prominent ears and forehead and a large jaw.
How People Get Autism
New research targets for autism are now being recognized. This will improve more understanding of this disorder and how to treat it. Research into the causes of autism has been focusing on genetics. Lately, new research has shown that a rare genetic variation raises the risk of autism. The study showed sometimes this defect was inherited but other times were just a random genetic accident.
Myths -
Can Autistic People Love?
In the 1940’s, when autism was first being recognize they thought these kids couldn’t form intimate bonds or warm loving relationships. Since that time evidence shows ability to love is present. With treatment autistic kids cannot only experience love but learn to show it.
Can’t Communicate or be Creative?
Many studies prove that wrong if caregivers help these kids. Doctors would believe that caregivers helped autistic people how to communicate and be creative then they can be themselves. Autistic kids can’t think abstractly? People do not believe that autistic kids can’t think abstractly or interfere. They believe that they are not or cannot be the same as such people. That myth was proven wrong.
Who and How Many Are Diagnosed?
Autism is the most common disorder. Early research showed that autism affected every 5 out of 10,000 people a year. Today people have discovered autism really affects every 1 out of 150 people. Autism is 2 to 4 more common in boys then it is to girls.
Behavior
Autism can cause humans not able to use language abnormally or not at all. About half of the children diagnosed with this disorder never learn to speak. They are quiet so that is why the babies with autism are called “Angel Babies”. Some behavioral problems in these babies might have trouble sucking or eating. Another problem is they don’t enjoy diaper changing, dressing, bathing, or other interference. Most undiagnosed babies would indicate that they wanted to be held by holding out their arms to be picked up but autistic babies don’t. Diagnosed babies are interested in bright, twinkling, spinning objects. They also enjoy television and music. They laugh when tickled, cuddled or bounced up and down but not when face to face with someone. Autistic children don’t like change. They don’t like trying new food. They don’t like it when you rearrange furniture and they don’t like change in clothing. Some kids become really attached to certain items. They often repeat some motions such as rocking or spinning objects around. In extreme cases some children with autism would injure themselves. 70% of the kids with autism have some degree of mental retardation.
There is No Cure
Proven studies shows that there is no cure for autism. Some treatments or therapy might help autism or autistic patients in their behavior. Drug treatment and Music therapy can help autism. (If you would like to see all treatments and therapy you can look on the pamphlet.)
The Future
People have different opinions like some people would like there to be a cure for autism but some people don’t. I personally would like to have autism cured. There are some good explanations for why people do and don’t want to have it cured. People who don’ t say it is because autistic children have their own world that they would like to keep in their life. A reason why people do want autism cured is because autism can have difficulties included which isn’t the best.
Conclusion
Again, autism is a disorder that is very common. It does give some people hard times and some not so much. If you know someone who is autistic, the best is to just treat them as you would want to be treated. Autistic children and adults may be different but they are still a regular person, deserving the same kind of respect as everyone else.
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