An Essay Exploring Autism Spectrum Disorder: Definition and Details

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), also known as autism. It begins by defining autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social skill deficits, repetitive behaviors, and communication challenges, and it then explores its history, prevalence, and diagnostic criteria. The essay further categorizes autism into different types, including autistic disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder, highlighting the unique characteristics of each. It then delves into the potential causes of autism, discussing both genetic and environmental factors, while acknowledging that the exact causes remain unidentified. Finally, the essay outlines the various symptoms associated with autism, ranging from difficulties with social interaction and communication to sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviors. The essay concludes by emphasizing the increasing prevalence of ASD and the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with the condition.

Running head: ESSAY ON AUTISM
ESSAY ON AUTISM
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1
ESSAY ON AUTISM
Introduction
Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a condition where the
individual lacks social skills, shows repetitive behavior and struggles with verbal and non-verbal
communication. People suffering from autism also have sensory issues like aversion to sights
and sounds.
The essay aims to provide an explanation of autism by drawing on numerous sources. It
will include a thorough definition of autism followed by its types. Further, the essay will discuss
the causes and symptoms of autism.
Discussion
Autism, as already mentioned is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by troubles
with “communication and social interaction” (Who.int, 2018). During the 1940s, a German
scientist named Hans Asperger recognized a related condition, which is now known as
Asperger’s syndrome. In the later years, autism continued to be linked with schizophrenia until
the mid 1960s when researchers and medical professionals started to understand autism in
children separately. The advancement in technology and increased studies made it possible for
people to define autism clearly and provide treatment accordingly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that autism occurs
mostly in boys that in girls with the ration being four males to one female. In 2014, CDC also
found that ASD occurs in almost one 1 in 59 children (Cdc.gov, 2018). In the United States,
autism is found in one in every six children, CDC further reveals. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO) reports of 2018, 1 in 160 children throughout the world possess ASD
(Who.int, 2018). The condition although begins in childhood but continues into youth and

2
ESSAY ON AUTISM
adulthood. On the one hand, those with mild disability manage to live independently while on
the other, those with severe disabilities need care and support throughout their lives.
Autism varies in different person and is thus categorized into different types. Three types
of autism have been most commonly identified. These include autistic disorder, Asperger’s
Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Healthdirect.gov.au, 2018).
People with Asperger syndrome have no severe disability. The chief problem people with
Asperger’s face is the social skills and tend to have a compulsive focus on one thing or carry out
the same behaviors repeatedly. It is however, important to note that the syndrome was not
recognized as a sub-category of autism until 2013. It was only after the standard book for mental
health experts, Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Disorders (DSM-5) changed the classification
(Barton et al., 2013).
The autistic disorder or classic autism is the most commonly found condition in children.
Those with autistic disorder generally have “significant language delays, social and
communication challenges and unusual behaviors and interests” (Asws.org, 2018). In many
cases, autistic disorder causes intellectual disability in people as well.
The third type of autism is pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) known also as
atypical autism (Healthdirect.gov.au, 2018).. In this type of autism, people demonstrate some
symptoms of both classic autism and Asperger’s. Those having this type of autism generally
have fewer disabilities as compared to autistic disorder.
As suggested by scientific evidences, several factors contribute to the incurrence of ASD
in children, which include genetic and environmental factors as well. Nonetheless, scientists
have not been able to identify the exact causes of ASD.

3
ESSAY ON AUTISM
Many researchers and scientists have agreed that genes have a part to play in increasing
the risk for ASD in children. In the views of LaSalle (2013) “autism is clearly a complex human
genetic disorder that involves interaction between genes and environment”. Children having a
parent or a sibling with any one type of ASD have a higher risk of acquiring the disorder.
Some studies have also found that certain environmental factors lead to ASD. To provide
an instance, a pregnant woman’s exposure to environmental agents might cause the child
developing ASD. These environmental factors include pollution of all kinds, mercury and other
contaminants amongst others. In a 2014 study, it was found that children had the highest risk of
being affected with ASD who have been exposed to high levels of pollution (Zerbo et al. 2013).
Symptoms of autism are varied as per the types. The symptoms include, not responding
to their name, avoiding eye contacts, having trouble speaking and so on. Severe symptoms
include, flapping hands, spinning in circles, unusual reaction to certain sounds, smell, taste and
look of things.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that autism or ASD is becoming an increasingly common
disorder. Children with ASD are often discriminated or bullied upon and often regarded as
mentally ill or abnormal. The essay provided a through explanation of autism, its types, causes
and symptoms. The discussion found that the actual causes of ASD are yet to be identified.

4
ESSAY ON AUTISM
References:
Asws.org. (2018). Autism definition, who it affects, and the types | ASWS | W. Michigan.
Retrieved from https://www.asws.org/WhatisAutism.aspx
Barton, M. L., Robins, D. L., Jashar, D., Brennan, L., & Fein, D. (2013). Sensitivity and
specificity of proposed DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers. Journal
of Autism and Developmental disorders, 43(5), 1184-1195.
Cdc.gov. (2018). Data and Statistics | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD | CDC.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Healthdirect.gov.au. (2018). Types of autism. Retrieved from
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/types-of-autism
LaSalle, J. M. (2013). Epigenomic strategies at the interface of genetic and environmental risk
factors for autism. Journal of human genetics, 58(7), 396.
Who.int. (2018). Autism spectrum disorders. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders
Zerbo, O., Iosif, A. M., Walker, C., Ozonoff, S., Hansen, R. L., & Hertz-Picciotto, I. (2013). Is
maternal influenza or fever during pregnancy associated with autism or developmental
delays? Results from the CHARGE (CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and
Environment) study. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 43(1), 25-33.