Imagine if one or more of your senses were heightened. Would it make you a superhero? Kind of. There are people in our communities with heightened senses but sometimes the intense sensations don 't make them feel comfortable or strong. Sometimes it can be too much and all they want to do is go somewhere quiet, dimly lit, and get under a heavy blanket. These people live among us with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and are nevertheless, exceptionally extraordinary.
Overview
Autism is an atypical neurodevelopmental condition (Lai, 2014). It can include difficulty with social interactions, performing similar activities and movements, that may fall into a pattern, and/or delayed or affected speech. A diagnosis of Autism can also include co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, or epilepsy. Autism Spectrum Disorders include Asperger’s, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and of course, Autism (Batshaw, 2012). Autism itself can range in severity from low functioning to …show more content…
Outcomes of early intervention programs have proved beneficial when compared to earlier studies that claimed that “58-78% of adults with autism have poor or very poor outcomes in terms of independent living, educational attainment, employment, and peer relationships.” Along with early intervention, speech before the age of six, positive and inclusive social conditions during childhood, and higher childhood intelligence also tend to lead to better outcomes. Adulthood becomes more challenging for people on the autism spectrum due to the loss of major support networks like school, family (if/when parents pass away), and mental health services that are usually only provided to children and
Overview
Autism is an atypical neurodevelopmental condition (Lai, 2014). It can include difficulty with social interactions, performing similar activities and movements, that may fall into a pattern, and/or delayed or affected speech. A diagnosis of Autism can also include co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, or epilepsy. Autism Spectrum Disorders include Asperger’s, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and of course, Autism (Batshaw, 2012). Autism itself can range in severity from low functioning to …show more content…
Outcomes of early intervention programs have proved beneficial when compared to earlier studies that claimed that “58-78% of adults with autism have poor or very poor outcomes in terms of independent living, educational attainment, employment, and peer relationships.” Along with early intervention, speech before the age of six, positive and inclusive social conditions during childhood, and higher childhood intelligence also tend to lead to better outcomes. Adulthood becomes more challenging for people on the autism spectrum due to the loss of major support networks like school, family (if/when parents pass away), and mental health services that are usually only provided to children and