Kacey Burke
ENGL1102
Research Essay
10/14/13
Can a person with autism live a normal life? Autistic children grow up to either live normally or always have problems associated with their disorder. Autism has many different causes, symptoms and ways of treatment. The causes of autism could include many factors. Even though most people think it is, genes aren’t the only cause for autism. The National Autism Association reports, “The rapid rise in the rate of autism over the last 20 years cannot be attributed solely to genetics (NAA 1).” They may not be the only cause, however, genes are a factor. They play a huge role in how the child develops. Studies conducted show, “Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with …show more content…
When a child is diagnosed with autism, they usually have another disorder or sickness along with it as well. Statistics from the NAA explain, “Individuals with autism often suffer from numerous co-morbid medical conditions which may include: allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders and more (NAA 1).” Children with this disorder normally have a substantially low immune system, which causes them to be more prone to have infections and illnesses. When children are too young or have a handicap, it is hard to notice symptoms and signs of autism since they are already shoeing similar symptoms. The NINDS tells, “ASD varies widely in severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps (NINDS 2).” When a child has autism they may have a problem with communication. Speaking with others may come as a major challenge as well as staying focused on the person they are trying to associate with. Studies show, “The hallmark feature of ASD is impaired social interaction. As early as infancy, a baby with ASD may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time (NINDS 1).” Some children have a harder time understanding specific words and may repeat …show more content…
Being treated simply means that a person can practically live a normal life while still having some symptoms of the disorder. Some cures are much too complex to obtain for certain disorders or illnesses. Some children may need continuous rehabilitation to learn to cope with having autism. As the NAA states, “Currently there is no cure for autism, though with early intervention and treatment, the diverse symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved and in some cases completely overcome (NAA 1).” Children who are involved in some type of program for autistic kids usually forget about their health problems and act almost as if they are a normal child. Treatments should be altered to help children with the symptoms as they grow older. The rehabilitations aren’t the same for a teenager as they are for a young infant which means that over the course of the child’s life, they should be adjusted for more complicated tactics to assist the brain in developing correctly over time. Researchers explain, “During adolescence, some children with an ASD may become depressed or experience behavioral problems, and their treatment may need some modification as they transition into adulthood (NINDS 1).” The treatments for a young child should not be used for an adult. When a family becomes involved in the research and coping with autism, they can then learn how to properly care for the child. Some studies show,