Margaret E. Glover
COM/156
July 6, 2013
Jessica Smith-University of Phoenix
Autistic Children Leading More Productive Lifestyles
Autism is one of the neural developmental disorders mainly characterized by the impairment of aspect such as the social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication. These adverse side effects of autism are mainly because of the impairment of the nerve cells and their synapses. Autism is one disorder that is believed to be genetically inherited. Families that have one child with autism disorder have a high chance of getting a second autistic child. Exposure to pesticides has also been linked to autism. This is because some of the studies indicate that the pesticides interfere with the genes involved in the central nervous system. In addition, other factors, such as exposure to certain pharmaceuticals, have also been found to have a high risk of autism. Treatment of autism in most cases is a very intensive and comprehensive undertaking that involves the autistic child’s entire family and a team of professionals. The applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, medications are some of the ways that can be used in the treatment of the autism. With the application of these therapies the children are able to gain more independence and progress both at home and in school. This therefore implies that the autistic children can lead a more productive lifestyle with treatments, medications, interventions and family.
Considering the behavioral analysis as applied in the treatment of the condition, it is evident that it can help to improve several behavioral aspects of the autistic child. This method of treatment helps in encouraging the children to develop positive behaviors and at the same time help in discouraging the negative behaviors among autistic children. The applied behavioral therapy is based on the principle that appropriate behaviors, including the speech, can be taught using the various scientific principles (Matson, 2009). In this case, the method assumes that children are more likely to repeat any positive behavior that is rewarded at the same time they are less likely to continue with the behaviors not reinforced. Using the applied behavioral analyzes, the method may incorporate other tools such as the applied verbal behavior, which helps autistic children realize that language can help one to get what he or she wants. These programs help the autistic child to learn and practice skills both in the structured and unstructured situations. Various studies indicate that the children subjected to the applied behavioral analysis therapy in most cases experiences more improvement in aspects such as learning, reasoning, communication and most important in adapting to different environmental conditions (Evans & Dubowski, 2001). This in turn helps in improving the performance of the child in their school work and in other social activities.
Early diagnosis and treatment of autism can help to improve the performance of the child in several ways. Some case studies indicate that most autistic children are not diagnosed until the age of three to four. Diagnosing a child with autism at an early age can help to ensure that the child undergoes education intervention therapy. This type of therapy can help the child not only to learn the various academic subjects but also improve on the fictional communications and different social skills. In relation to this, the education therapy can help to ensure that the child gains their cognitive skills and at the same time help in reducing the disruptive behavior. In a study done by Eldevik, et al., (2012) 31 children who received behavioral intervention at the early age of two and six years in their preschool setting were compared with twelve children receiving normal treatment. The study indicated that the autistic children who received behavioral therapy at an early age had an improved