Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) - 1140 Words

According to Peterson (2013), â€Å"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors, and stereotyped interests and activities† (p. 748). However, symptoms and their severity vary greatly in each child. There are three types that have been identified: Classic Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The cause of autism is unknown. According to Lockwood (2013), â€Å"Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) studied preschool children with autism and has shown the roles of prenatal vitamins in early pregnancy† (p.748). The findings predict that ASD might be prevented with the intake of folic†¦show more content†¦Autistic children tend to be delayed in babbling, speaking, and learning to use gestures. By age three, most children are on a pathway to learning language. They begin early with babbling, until they are saying a word or two, point out to objects they want, and turn to you when their names are called. Children who coo and babble in the first few months of life, but develop autism tend to loose these communicative behaviors. Other children experience significant language delay and don’t begin to speak until much later. When therapy is applied especially as an early intervention, most children learn to use spoken language and communicate. Children who are nonverbal learn to use different communication systems such as sign language, pictures, electronic word processors or even speech generating devices (Autism Speaks, 2015). You can look into these things, depending on your child’s needs. Leifer (2015) states â€Å"peer-related social behavior normally develops early in the preschool period, with symbolic play normally emerging by two years of age† (p.748). A child with ASD tends to have difficulty interacting with others, has flat facial expressions, avoids eye contact, dose not respond to name when called, and prefers to play alone. They may also have problems with sharing and showing their feelings. Since they have difficulty regulating emotions, their outbursts may be