Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comprehensive Psychology Report Analysis

This psychology report delves into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting communication and social behavior, primarily affecting children. The report highlights the disorder's diagnostic criteria according to DSM-5, its prevalence across various demographics, and its neurological underpinnings. It emphasizes the significant social stigma associated with ASD and its impact on individuals, leading to potential psychological disturbances such as anxiety and depression. The report identifies genetic and environmental risk factors, while underscoring the challenges in treating ASD and the crucial role of family support. The report concludes by reiterating the importance of early diagnosis and family involvement in managing ASD, acknowledging limitations in its scope and suggesting avenues for further research.

Running head: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Introduction
The disorder chosen for discussion is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is a
neurodevelopmental disorder that restricts communication and social behavior (Nimh.nih.gov,
2018). The reason for choosing this disorder is that it is one of the most common disorders
affecting humans and yet, one of the least researched.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
defines ASD as the disorder in which the affected has difficulty communicating and interacting
with people. Sleep disorders, epilepsy and motor impairment are the most prevalent neurology
associated with ASD.
The essay attempts to establish that children are mostly diagnosed with this disorder and
that more than any medical treatment or therapy, support of the family is vital for those affected
with it.
Population
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects people from all cast, race, ethnicity and socio-
economic groups. However, the children, amongst all other groups are most vulnerable to
develop ASD. According to the 2018 statistics released by the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), out of every 59 children, one is diagnosed with this disorder (Cdc.gov, 2018).
The disorder is found to affect boys four times more than girls. One in every 37 boys develop the
disorder whereas the ratio is one is to 151 in case of girls (Cdc.gov, 2018).
Children, mostly during their infancy are most vulnerable to diseases and ASD is no
different. Although no specific reason for developing this disorder has been found, it has been

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noticed that genes tend to influence a child’s chances of developing this disorder. Apart from
that, environmental factors such as viral infections to mothers before the child’s birth could also
result in ASD. Birth complications also result in the child developing the disorder especially the
Asperger’s Syndrome, which is also a type of ASD. In general, one percent of the total
population in Canada suffers from the disorder. One out of 66 children in Canada is diagnosed
with ASD (AutismOntario.com, 2018).
Conditions
People with ASD are often seen as mentally sick or abnormal individuals in the society.
The social stigma attached to the disorder makes it difficult for the affected ones to recover or
even live peacefully. As Gumińska, Zając and Piórkowski (2015) state, “Autism brings many
difficulties which influence the level of social roles in consequences leading to a social
isolation”. The authors hold the view that with higher level of awareness about ASD, the social
isolation for ASD affected people could be reduced.
People with ASD not only struggle socially, they have a difficult time interpreting the
society as well. ASD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder and hence, to regard an ASD
patient as psychologically unable would be wrong. Nonetheless, there are psychological
disturbances that ASD patients face such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and
depression (Autism-help.org, 2018).
Biological conditions that surround ASD are mostly associated with the kind of
environment a child receives prior to birth and immediately after birth. Many parents have been
worried about the possible vaccine link with ASD and that has led to the decreased rates of
vaccinations and immunizations taken during infancy.

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Coming to the causes of ASD, scientists are yet to find any plausible cause that could
explain the onset of the disorder. Nonetheless, some risk factors have been identified as causing
the disorder and these include genetic causes such as having parents or sibling with ASD, other
genetic conditions like Fragile X Syndrome and Rett Syndrome could also cause ASD. Whatever
might be the cause, ASD causes people to feel isolated from others (Nimh.nih.gov, 2018). Living
with an ASD, affected person affects not only the entire family but also those in acquaintance
with the person. The greatest problem that ASD affected people face is their inability to
communicate not only physically but also emotionally with their families. On the other hand,
families face the problem of unable to understand the struggles of their close ones with ASD.
It is recommended by experts that ASD must be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. One of
the biggest issues concerning the treatment of ASD is that it has no single perfect treatment.
Medication, therapy and other social service programs are some of the treatments know to treat
ASD only marginally. More than treating ASD, these treatments are helpful mostly in keeping
the symptoms of ASD from appearing frequently. It is therefore important that the individuals
with ASD receive constant support of their family.
Conclusion
In the end, it can be reiterated that ASD is most common amongst children and its most
effective treatment is to have the support of the family. The essay has analyzed the various
aspects of ASD and found that children are the most vulnerable to it and it occurs more in boys
than in girls. The essay has some limitations in that it has not done extensive research on the
treatment of ASD. It is suggested thus that further research on the disorder be conducted.

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References:
Autism-help.org. (2018). Autism, PDD-NOS & Asperger's fact sheets | The cause or causes of
Asperger syndrome, a common Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from
http://www.autism-help.org/aspergers-syndrome-cause.htm
AutismOntario.com. (2018). http://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/web/Info about
ASD. Retrieved from
https://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/web/Info+about+ASD?OpenDocument
Cdc.gov. (2018). Basics About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD | CDC. Retrieved
from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
Gumińska, N., Zając, M., & Piórkowski, P. (2015). People with autism in society–challenge of
21th century. Case of Poland. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 174, 576-583.
Jeste, S. S. (2011). The neurology of autism spectrum disorders. Current opinion in
neurology, 24(2), 132.
Nimh.nih.gov. (2018). NIMH » Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml