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Autism or autism spectrum disorder AKA ASD is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Symptoms of Autism Can Include: (NIMH, n.d.)
- Inconsistent eye contact
- Having difficulties maintaining conversations
- Difficulties adjusting behavior to different social situations
- Sometimes, it appears as if the individual isn't listening during a conversation.
- Having a monotone (flat) voice with little variation in enunciation.
DSM-5 Definition of Autism:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by the DSM-5 as a lifelong condition. Individuals with Autism may struggle socially, demonstrate restrictive interests in hobbies, and exhibit repetitive behaviors (NCBI, 2015).
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Facts about Autism: (Autism Speaks, n.d.)
In the U.S., the autism lifetime prevalence rate in adults is 1 out of 45. In children, the prevalence rate increases to 1 in 31. When isolating gender, 4 in 100 boys are diagnosed as autistic, while only 1 in 100 girls are autistic.
74% of autistic students will earn a high school diploma compared to the 86% graduation rate for neurotypical students.
In lieu of a high school diploma, 19% of autistic individuals graduate with a certificate.
8% of autistic students do not finish high school. In contrast, only 5% of neurotypical students do not finish high school.
Why Does Autism Affect More Boys Than Girls? (Wenk, 2020)
Why Does Autism Affect More Boys Than Girls? (Wenk, 2020)
Males are 3x more likely to be diagnosed with Autism than girls
Genes cannot explain that difference
Many scholars believe that normal boys are being incorrectly diagnosed because they are being compared to girls, even though their brains hit developmental milestones on average more than girls.
Other people theorize that Autism is a misdiagnosis of someone with ADHD
Many scholars think that girls with Autism are overlooked and underdiagnosed
Testing for Autism (CDC, 2024)
Testing for Autism (CDC, 2024)
A patient is first screened by their pediatrician, this screening can include questionnaires that compare the patient to a neurotypical peer. If the screening indicates that the patient may be neurodivergent, they will be referred to a psychologist who may test for autism by assigning a structured task and asking the patient's parents additional screening questions. The psychologist will then make the autism diagnosis based on how the child solved the structured task along with the responses given by the patient's parents.
Seven Disorders that Act Like Autism but Are Not (Autism Speak, n.d.)
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Five Famous People with Autism (Hill, M. 2024)
Elon Musk
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Greta Thunberg
Eminem
Albert Einstein
Treatments for Autism (CDC. 2024)
- Behavioral approaches
Behavioral approaches focus on changing behaviors by understanding what happens before and after the behavior. Behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of ASD
Social-relational approaches
Social-relational treatments focus on improving social skills and building emotional bonds. Some social-relational approaches involve parents or peer mentors
Psychological approaches
Psychological approaches can help people with ASD cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is one psychological approach that focuses on learning the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Behavioral approaches
Behavioral approaches focus on changing behaviors by understanding what happens before and after the behavior. Behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of ASD
Social-relational approaches
Social-relational treatments focus on improving social skills and building emotional bonds. Some social-relational approaches involve parents or peer mentors
Psychological approaches
Psychological approaches can help people with ASD cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one psychological approach that focuses on learning the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/treatment-autism-spectrum-disorder/
This video talks a little more in depth about what Autism is (ASD)
Vocab for Autism:
(Reframing Autism, n.d.; Spielman, et al., 2020)
- Neurodivergent: A group of individuals whose brains are different than their "typical" peers
- Motor planning: Structuring and executing a task
- Complex Communication Needs (CCN): difficulty in communication
- ADHD: a developmental disorder characterized by difficulty controlling one's impulses, hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and difficulty following directions.
-Over diagnosis: when a normal person is incorrectly diagnosed with an illness, maybe because the person who diagnosed them did not rule out environment, drugs, or physical illnesses.
-Under diagnoses: when a person with a disorder (e.g. Autism) fails to get diagnosed, often due to stereotypes (e.g. girls do not get Autism).
-Misdiagnosis: when someone with one disorder gets the diagnosis for the wrong disorder (e.g. when someone with ADHD is incorrectly diagnosed with Autism)
This MRI illustrates the difference in brain center activation between a autistic brain and a neurotypical brain:
The Parts of the Brain Affected by Autism
Study finds that people with Autism or ADHD are also likely to have dysgraphia.
Mayes and his colleagues (2018) investigated whether IQ, Autism, and ADHD are correlated with dysgraphia. The study involved 1006 children with ages ranging from 6-16 years. 831 subjects of the sample group were diagnosed with either Autism or ADHD. Children who were diagnosed with a second (comorbid) diagnosis such as oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and LD (learning disabilities) were included in the study to provide a realistic sample group. One of the tests determined dysgraphia by having the subjects draw geometric shapes. The second test determined IQ through math and reading evaluations. The study found that ADHD and Autistic individuals score significantly lower when drawing geometric shapes and math. They found those with Autism or ADHD have a higher probability of experiencing dysgraphia. This study suggests those with Autism and ADHD should be screened for dysgraphia.
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