Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is described by the DSM-V as a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by the manifestation of deficiencies in communication (both verbal and non-verbal), social interactions, and by the occurrence of repetitive patterns of behavior (31). Being a spectrum disorder, autism has many varying degrees of severity, symptoms, and behaviors. It is not diagnosed to a specific set of behaviors, but rather to behaviors that contribute to the impairment of social interactions and communication. Autism is categorized as a neurodevelopmental disorder because the symptoms that are produced are caused by defects in brain development (31).
Autism presents itself during the early developmental stages of childhood, and …show more content…
First, autism is one of the most prevalent disorders in the world, affecting about 1% of the world’s population (American Psychiatric Assoc. 55). According to the Autism Society, “Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability.” Also, the NINDS states that every 4 in 5 people with autism are male. Because of its pervasiveness, most people know someone or have seen someone with the disorder, including myself. As I progressed through school at an early age, I witnessed kids with autism, never fully understanding what it meant to have the disorder. One of my friends from middle school has a sister with severe autism that I have had the chance to interact with. About two years ago, my father remarried and we moved in with his wife. She runs a therapy program for kids with disabilities, many of whom have autism. Since then, my interest in autism has grown. I now better understand the behaviors of someone with ASD, and that helps tremendously when interacting with that person. And the most interesting part is now, after reading the section of the DSM-V covering autism, I easily recognize many of the …show more content…
Brenda Malcolm Stoffel, my stepmom, runs a therapy program for kids with disabilities. Most of her students are from Pathfinder Services or private referrals. Currently she has 15 regular students, 10 of which have some form of ASD, and works with them an hour a week for 6 week sessions, twice a year. Most of her students have been with her for 5-10 years. Her therapy revolves around the students bonding with four horses, then using that comfort for skill oriented tasks. She uses the horses in a variety of ways to build social skills in the children, from as simple as talking to the horses up to riding the horses while performing complex tasks like reading alphabetical letters or talking to people and following
Autism presents itself during the early developmental stages of childhood, and …show more content…
First, autism is one of the most prevalent disorders in the world, affecting about 1% of the world’s population (American Psychiatric Assoc. 55). According to the Autism Society, “Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability.” Also, the NINDS states that every 4 in 5 people with autism are male. Because of its pervasiveness, most people know someone or have seen someone with the disorder, including myself. As I progressed through school at an early age, I witnessed kids with autism, never fully understanding what it meant to have the disorder. One of my friends from middle school has a sister with severe autism that I have had the chance to interact with. About two years ago, my father remarried and we moved in with his wife. She runs a therapy program for kids with disabilities, many of whom have autism. Since then, my interest in autism has grown. I now better understand the behaviors of someone with ASD, and that helps tremendously when interacting with that person. And the most interesting part is now, after reading the section of the DSM-V covering autism, I easily recognize many of the …show more content…
Brenda Malcolm Stoffel, my stepmom, runs a therapy program for kids with disabilities. Most of her students are from Pathfinder Services or private referrals. Currently she has 15 regular students, 10 of which have some form of ASD, and works with them an hour a week for 6 week sessions, twice a year. Most of her students have been with her for 5-10 years. Her therapy revolves around the students bonding with four horses, then using that comfort for skill oriented tasks. She uses the horses in a variety of ways to build social skills in the children, from as simple as talking to the horses up to riding the horses while performing complex tasks like reading alphabetical letters or talking to people and following