User talk:Atommont

Children with Autism Eric looked and acted almost like every other child at the age of 4 he was always running around and getting himself into all sorts of trouble. Although Eric was unable to speak at the age of 4 his mother simply thought he was slow and that he would eventually grow into a regular functioning member of society. He was enrolled into preschool but the teachers did not know what to do with him. Eric was the only child who didn’t know how to talk in the class and he would always rock back in forth inside of his chair. Instead of taking the proper actions they simply passed Eric onto kindergarten where he continued his peculiar behavior. After being referred to a specialist by his kindergarten teacher Eric was diagnosed with autism. He did not gain this disorder through germs or viruses but simply through genetics. Eric was then taken out of regular classes and put into ones where the teacher was more knowledgeable about the disorder of autism. They knew how to better care and teach for children like Eric. Although Eric’s life would never be completely normal he was able to learn how to read and write at the 6th grade level, as well as being able to talk to others without the aid of pictures. Eric had truly become a capable person who had overcome the incurable disease of autism. I told this story in order to introduce you into a small part of autism. First of all you have to know who and what autism is in it self. After you know the signs of autism and how it works you can move on to the issue at hand which is autism in young children. The last focal point I will touch on will be whether or not there is a cure for autism. More than anything else I want to convey that children who are born with autism face many obstacles but they are still capable of fully functioning in everyday society. (Fact Sheet) Let us first talk about who diagnosed and named the idea of autism first in their patients. The Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the New Latin word autismus in 1910 as he was defining symptoms of schizophrenia. Autismus directly translated to English is autism. Bleuler derived it from the Greek word autos meaning self and used it to mean morbid self-admiration. This was referring to the autistic withdrawal of the patient to his fantasies, against which any influence from outside becomes an intolerable disturbance. (Autism Fact Sheet) One also has to understand what autism is in its plainest form and according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary autism is, “a variable developmental disorder that appears by age three and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate with others, and by stereotyped behavior patterns.” But beyond simply a definition autism affects almost every aspect of their social and psychological development. (Shane) There are also many signs to autism such as a difficulty communicating with others, repetitious behaviors such as rocking back and forth or head banging, a limited range of interests and they may become very upset over a small change in their environment or daily routine. (Autism Fact Sheet) But beyond those generic signs to autism an autistic child usually does not reply to his or her name and they usually avoid eye contact. They also have trouble interpreting what others are thinking or feeling. They basically lack a sense of empathy because they cannot read social cues, tone or facial expressions. (Biklen) Another fact about autistic children is that they almost always start speaking later than other children and refer to themselves by their name and not using pronouns such as I or me. (Com. Unbound) They also have a reduced sensitivity to pain but an increased sensitivity to sensory stimulation, and therefore autistic children usually resist being cuddled or hugged. An autistic child might also appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement. (Autism Fact Sheet) On the other hand of the textbook answer to what autism I went to someone who deals with autism on an everyday basis. I interviewed one Maria Gonzalez about her five-year-old son Danny who has autism in a mild form. She explained to me that Danny has been the biggest obstacle she has had to face in parenting, but she also informs me that it is also the most rewarding. I asked her if she could would she want to change her Danny and her answer surprised me when she said no. She stated that she would never ever change anything about her beloved son simply because she has fell in love with the way he is. Maria walked me through a normal day with Danny at her side; she began by letting him pick out his clothes for the day explaining to me that it helps when he chooses his clothes because it does not end up in a fight between the two of them. After that she bathes Danny and puts on his clothes. She then drives for 20 minutes to a special school where Danny gets the extra help that he needs to learn. After school Maria picks up Danny and they go home, at home Danny does his homework with the help of his mother or his sister Rosa. Maria then checks him homework and allows him to watch some television before she puts him to bed at eight o’ clock. Maria informs me that nighttime is the worst. Due to Danny’s autistic behavior to constantly be moving it is hard for Maria to settle him down enough to go to sleep. She sometimes has to wait hours on end by Danny’s side until he falls asleep. (Gonzalez) Maria Gonzalez let me speak to her son one afternoon over lunch and I was amazed at his vocabulary, although he may have stuttered it still amazed me to no end. I soon understood what she meant by Danny not being able to keep still. Danny had to be moving every 5 seconds or he would become antsy and start to throw a tantrum or cry.