Autism Spectrum Disorder
By: Adian Elliott
What is autism ?
A mental condition that is usually diagnosed from birth to early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people.
Body system affected by this condition or disease
central nervous system
the immune system
the Neuroendocrine system
the musculoskeletal systems
Comparison of a normal and autistic body
Autistic Body-Have a hard time socializing, Plays with toys in a odd fashion like lining them up, Have very few purkinje cells, rock, Has a hard time making a relationship, Sometimes speaks but not very much, usually makes noises and uses sign language
Who it affects
Both male and female are affected by autism. All people can get autism. It usually develops in early ages.
How it occurs
Usually this happens when there is a slow development in one's brain. It can happen from birth to 48 months of age.
Diagnosis
Abnormality in the development in the brain. Doctors can sometimes tell when the head size is unusual. Also patients that might have been diagnosed have fewer purkinje cells that a normal person has.
Signs and Symptoms
Playing in a weird fashion (Lining up toys)
Rocking
Does Not make eye contact
Doesn’t respond when someone says the name of the person with autism
- Spaces out at random times
- Has trouble making relationships
Treatment for this disease/condition
They sometimes have behavioral interventions to help the autistic child by rewarding them for good behavior. Drug therapy can also help with the repetitive behavior.
Prognosis
The average life expectancy of a person with autism is 18 to 21 years. This disease does not cause death, however it does cause a shorter lifespan.
Connections
My brother has autism spectrum disorder and he acts different than my other brothers. He rocks and lines up toys he also puts the toys away and take them back out right after. When he was 1 year old he crawled in the weirdest fashion.
I asked my class how many of them knew an autistic person 60%(6/10) said they knew one.