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DIAGNOSTIC SUMMARY PAPER

Diagnostic Summary Paper
AUTISM
Autism is a disorder that impairs the development of a person's capacity to interact
with, communicate with, and also maintain regular normal bonds with the outside world.
This disorder was described in 1943 by Leo Kanner, an American psychologist. Autism is
considered one of the more common developmental disabilities, and appears before the age
of three. It is known to be four or five times more common in males than in females. It
most cited statistic is that autism occurs in 4.5 out of 10,000 live births. The estimate
of children having autistic qualities is reported to be 15 to 20 out of 10,000. The
gender statement noted before is not uncommon, since many developmental disabilities have
a greater male to female ratio. 
Autistic characteristics are different from birth. Two more common characteristics that
may be exhibited are the arching of the back while being held, to avoid contact, and also
failing to anticipate being picked up (limpness in the body). Infants with autism are
described as being either very passive, or very agitated. Sometimes during infancy there
will be cases of head rocking, and or banging, against the crib, but this is not always
the case. Approximately one-third of children develop normally until the ages of 1 1/2 to
3, and then the symptoms emerge, referred to as regressive autism.
During childhood, there is a commonality of the affected child insisting routine. The
reasoning is that the child is not able to cope with novel situations. Wearing the same
clothes, or eating the same foods during meals, are examples. Tantrums can occur when
these perseverative behaviors occur.
Twenty years ago, most autistic individuals were institutionalized. Now only the most
severe cases live in institutions. During adulthood, autistic individuals are known to
live with their parents, in residential institutions, and some do live independently.
Because there are so many forms of this disorder, it has been said that there is no true
adjective to describe every type of person with autistic symptoms, or autism. My research
shows that there are no physiological tests that can be performed to determine whether a
person has autism. The diagnosis is given when a person exhibits the characteristics of
the disorder.
Note: In the last five years, researchers have agreed that those who display autistic
characteristics are commonly suffering from other related but distinct disorders, such as
Asperger Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Landau Kleffner syndrome, Rett syndrome, and
Williams syndrome.
Physiological researchers have discovered abnormalities within the brain, but the reason
for the abnormalities is not known, and it is not known where the relation to autism
lies. These abnormalities range from underdeveloped areas in the limbic system, to Vernal
lobules VI and VII, being smaller than average. Biochemical research has found elevated
beta-endorphins, relating to pain tolerance in autistic action.
In the cognitive realm, there is much talk of the theory of mind, or the inability to
realize that other people have their own unique view of the world. Some Cognitive
theorists think that the autistic person isn't able to understand that other people have
different thoughts, plans, and perspectives than their own.
Cognitive theorists also examine the 10% statistic of savant skills, an ability that is
considered remarkable by most standards. These savant skills are usually spatial in
nature.
Interventions and therapies are difficult. Family theorists try to work with the family
of the patient, to try to develop appropriate behaviors. There is no reported drug that
can be considered primary for the patient, although Ritalin is dispensed in many cases.
Behaviorists look at the changing of behavior through positive reinforcement, behavior
recess, and in turn examine the self-stimulatory and self-injurious behaviors. 
Physiological work such as visual training, and auditory integration training, is used to
reduce sensitivities to sounds above normal range, or to sounds the patient can consider
painful.
When it comes to autism, the most important thing to remember is that parents and doctors
in the medical field are now realizing that there can be treatments, and interventions,
that can be effective. In addition, note that Federal Law now requires the states to
provide early intervention services for autistic children between the ages of one to
three. The services exist to provide tools to develop the children academically, and
socially.