Autism by

Autism

slrhine1 — 2023-08-31 00:36:13 UTC

Our group chose autism, more formally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects how a person communicates, behaves, acts, and learns. We chose this topic because 1 in 36 children are found to be on the spectrum. With this large statistic being able to study and learn about this common disorder will allow us to have a better understanding of the disorder and participate in the CHS 100 class.

Age Group

enguye28 — 2023-08-31 00:37:28 UTC

ASD is typically found by doctors by 18 months or even younger.

Gender

kperalt2 — 2023-08-31 00:40:16 UTC

It has been states males are more prone to have autism than girls. The ratio that has been consistent is 4:1 male to female when diagnosing autism.

Genetics

idoming7 — 2023-08-31 00:40:52 UTC

Although theirs no specific cause for Autism. Different research has shown that different genes might be involved with Autism. Some genetic disorders including Rett syndrome and X syndrome might be associated. Not only that but autism can run in the family since certain genetic mutations are inherited

Drugs During Pregnancy

slrhine1 — 2023-08-31 00:45:02 UTC

Although genetics is the biggest contributor to ASD, drug abuse in parents during pregnancy has been linked to be a cause in some cases.

Lower Density of the Cerebellum

slrhine1 — 2023-09-07 00:20:42 UTC

In people who are diagnosed with ASD, research has found that the density of neurons located on the cerebellum is significantly decreased. The cerebellum is the center for motor skills and speaking. With lower density of the volume and Purkinje cells people with ASD have struggles with control over movement and verbal speaking. The reason for decrease in volume is linked to genetics from the paternal mother and father.

Amygdala

idoming7 — 2023-09-07 00:23:11 UTC

Studies show that amygdala affects the development of the brain that causes anxiety in autistic children.

Orbitofrontal Cortex

enguye28 — 2023-09-07 00:23:29 UTC

The orbitofrontal cortex, located at the very front of the brain, is responsible for sensory integration and decision making. With damage to this part of the brain, or with those suffering from Autism, this can lead to compulsive behavior or anxiety.

Insula

kperalt2 — 2023-09-07 00:23:37 UTC

The insula is a structure involved with ASD. People who are diagnosed with Autism under medical studies have shown the decline in volume and thickness of this structure.

Abnormal Growth of Frontal Cortex

slrhine1 — 2023-09-07 00:25:48 UTC

In people with ASD many have struggles with cognitive processes such as decision‐making, planning and emotions. The frontal cortex is responsible for said things. Specifically, if one has ASD research has found that they have 7% more growth than non-ASD children. This overgrowth changes the anatomy of the brain and is mainly due to genetics.

Speech Therapy

slrhine1 — 2023-09-14 00:19:14 UTC

Although there is no cure for Autism therapies have been the main treatment for the goal to improve function and quality of life. Most common form of treatment is communication/language therapy; to improve the hurdle of verbal communication in ASD children.

Delayed Language

kperalt2 — 2023-09-14 00:20:32 UTC

People with Autism may show a presence of delay in developing language skills as well as having trouble understanding what is being told to them.

Delayed Motor Skills

enguye28 — 2023-09-14 00:21:06 UTC

A symptom of ASD is the delay of gross or fine motor skills. This can make children who have Autism reluctant to participate in certain activities.

Unusual Mood or Emotional Reactions

idoming7 — 2023-09-14 00:21:32 UTC

A symptom commonly viewed in Autistic people is unusual mood or emotional reactions. This could be seen as tantrums, hitting or injuring themselves or others, yelling, or even acting in a silly mood.

Avoidance of Eye Contact

slrhine1 — 2023-09-14 00:23:11 UTC

Due to the lack of social skills many ASD children deal with, they are not motivated to engage/keep eye contact.

Behavior

kperalt2 — 2023-09-14 00:26:39 UTC

According to the CDC there are not any specific test to diagnose ASD children however behavior helps a lot in diasgnosing.

This can be detected at a very young age of 18 months.

Educational Therapies

idoming7 — 2023-09-14 00:30:34 UTC

Children with Autism often respond well to educational therapies. These therapies help people with autism since they help them develop social skills, improve language competency, and good behavior using reinforcement techniques.

Structured Tests

enguye28 — 2023-09-14 00:32:35 UTC

Autism can be diagnosed through giving the child a structured test or by the results of a questionnare.

Social Anxiety

slrhine1 — 2023-09-21 00:30:27 UTC

People with ASD tend to have heightened senses. Many symptoms of Autism are shared with social anxiety, such as difficulty concentrating, irritability, language and genetic factors. Therefore, a high percentage of ASD patients also suffer from high social anxiety.

Frienship and Relationships

kperalt2 — 2023-09-21 00:31:39 UTC

People who have Autism have difficulty forming and mainting friendships through their life. This is due to having trouble understanding what is being told to them as well as having difficulty communicating.

Sleep Disorders

enguye28 — 2023-09-21 00:34:30 UTC

People with Autism may potentially suffer from a sleeping disorder such as insomnia or sleep apnea. On average, it takes them 11 minutes longer than the normal person to fall asleep.

Social Isolation

idoming7 — 2023-09-21 00:34:51 UTC

Autistic people are more likely to experience feeling loneliness compared to people without autism. Some autistic people choose to not interact with others due to struggling to interact with others. In most cases, this is due to people without autism not welcoming them, making autistic people feel more comfortable being on their own.

Drug Therapy

slrhine1 — 2023-09-28 00:32:46 UTC

Drug therapy can be complimentary to other therapies for people on the spectrum. One of the most common drugs is methylphenidate hydrochloride. Insurance is very likely to cover this drug and only make it a few cents, however if one does not have insurance and average out of pocket cost is $33. Certain drug therapies can work better than other therapies for ASD patients, if one chooses not to undergo drug therapy it can mean the difference between social communication and day to day function/quality of life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

enguye28 — 2023-09-28 00:36:08 UTC

One long term treatment for Autism is cognitive behavioral therapy. The initial evaluation cost to match a patient with a therapist is $350. Following appointments range from $100-$200 per session depending on the therapist. Luckily, insurance is likely to cover these expenses due to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Long term consequences if treatment is not sought out include anxiety and depression.

Behavior and Communication Therapies

idoming7 — 2023-09-28 00:41:14 UTC

Behavior and communication therapies usually range from $120 to $150 hourly. Usually, Insurance does cover behavior and communication therapies for autistic people. It is very important for autistic people to get this treatment because it helps them increase their language and communication skills. Many autistic people usually get other medical conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This is why it's very important for people with autism to also get behavior therapies.

Speech therapy

kperalt2 — 2023-09-28 00:42:51 UTC

According to MDsave the cost Speech Therapy vist in Arizona is from 140 to 149 dollars. The amount that insurance can be covered for instance in arizona can be completly covered. AHCCS is one example according to azhcccs which states that AHCCCS covers physical, occupational and speech etc. services. It does need to be rodered by a physician and be provided under a type of direct supervision of therapist. However, there are some insurance companies that decline coverage for these treatments as casrf states they can not be "medically necessary" to some companies. Without speech therapy many Autism patient can experience a difficulty with speech and might fall behind in speech communication as the get older.

Social Training

enguye28 — 2023-10-04 22:29:54 UTC

Social training is used to aid in the inability to read non verbal cues. It consists of practicing what to do in certain scenarios, modeling behaviors, and corrections. A therapist or teacher is able to carry out this rehabilitation. Social Skills is a long term effect because this therapy effective to younger kinds and last up to a life time.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

idoming7 — 2023-10-04 23:29:47 UTC

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective treatment for a range of mental and emotional health issues. Which include Anxiety and Depression. These two mental health issues are symptoms commonly seen in people with autism. Cognitive behavioral theory teaches you to think in a more positive way instead of focusing on the negative. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term effect that helps those with mental and emotional health issues change the way they feel. A licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist, social worker, and even a professional counselor is able to treat this therapy.

Hearing

idoming7 — 2023-10-12 00:48:02 UTC

Studies have suggested that hearing loss and autism are linked. A treatment for this includes hearing aids or cochlear implants. These treatments are devices that can help individuals with hearing loss. With low-gain hearing aids are beneficial for conditions like autism and sensory processing disorders. An Audiologist can treat autistic people with hearing aids.

Sensory Integration Therapy

kperalt2 — 2023-10-19 00:36:40 UTC

This therapy involves specific sensory activities to adjust a child to light. This therapy also adjust children to sound, touch, smells, and other input. Furthermore, activities may be swimming, brushing, playing in a ball pit, and many other sensory- related activities. The result of these activities may may be better focus, improved behavior, and even lowered anxiety. This therapy is under occupational therapy.

Physical Therapy

slrhine1 — 2023-10-19 00:36:58 UTC

In people who are higher on the spectrum of ASD these people are highly immobilized and likely wheelchair bond. For these people physical therapy can be life changing in helping with basic motor skills. Grasping, finger movement, strength training etc. Little improvements are made overtime and help these patients tremendously. It is crucial to start this therapy as young as possible. The type of professional needed would be a licensed physical therapist. However, there are also therapist who specialize in autistic children. Therapist can be found at aptaapps.apta.org .

Homeschooling

slrhine1 — 2023-10-26 00:43:20 UTC

ASD patients need a whole village in order to take care of them. Including this is parents of ASD children, everyone is involved, and everyone's lifestyle gets effected. One lifestyle change is choosing to homeschool your ASD child. In this way is your child has social anxiety and is not comfortable around anyone other than the parents this is a great way for them to still get education. If the child has less social anxiety, then choosing to enroll the child in an ASD specific school can also be very beneficial since they know how to properly take care of those kids. The professionals needed would be trained paraeducators and licensed special ED teachers. This kind of lifestyle change would be around a 7 on difficulty due to the low number of vacancy in schools.

Exercise

idoming7 — 2023-10-26 00:45:32 UTC

Exercise is very important for people with autism since physical activities such as walking, dancing, yoga, martial arts, jogging, or more specifically grab ball complex, Ball tap complex, Hurdle step-overs, and Bear crawls are great with helping reduce repetitive behavior. Exercise also helps with other common symptoms seen in autistic children such as anxiety, and depression. As well as improve social and communication skills. A professional who might help a person make these lifestyle changes are physical therapists as well as other healthcare professionals. To make this style change the difficulty level would be a 5 due to the different starting points of the children with ASD and the different benefits.

Children

enguye28 — 2023-11-02 00:35:13 UTC

A Special population commonly seen in Autism is male children, they are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Children are affected by autism due to genes. Children with Autism have problems with their brain structure or chemicals in the brain. Children have to depend on a guardian as well as have to deal with autism itself. Parents of autistic children may face the challenge of their treatment being unmet.

Substance Abuse Mothers

slrhine1 — 2023-11-02 00:40:03 UTC

Other than genetics, a leading cause of autism is substance abuse in pregnant mothers. Statistically, these individualized are also low income. So not only is the dependent guarding not a stable caretaker it makes administering care for their autistic child harder, and therefore makes it harder on the child to receive care if the income goes towards drugs instead of therapy or specialized schools.

Signaling Pathways in the Brain

slrhine1 — 2023-11-08 23:57:46 UTC

In a recent research article published in 2021, it found that the upregulation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of autism. The article mentioned that new drug therapy can be used in order to start firing that pathway and assist the symptoms of ASD. In fact, there are already inhibitors used to treat other neurological diseases such as Parkinsons, TBI, Down Syndrome etc. The article also includes a table that shows all the different parts and ways the brain is affected with the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway. One con to this is that since this is new research, even though there is a drug insurance companies are not likely to cover new drugs and will cause the patient to pay out of pocket. In order to be able to identify ASD the mother must be up to date on prenatal visits so they can prepare treatment like such as early as possible. The article also explains the importance of visits as soon as possible but could also lead to financial and uninsured patients being unable to do so.

Environmental

idoming7 — 2023-11-09 00:23:30 UTC

The environment plays a very important role in determining the risk of autism, along with genetic, and epigenetic factors. Environmental factors can affect the quality of gene expression without having to change the DNA sequence through epigenetic factors. Epigenetic changes can result in changes in the genetic expression of pathways enzymes which causes a change in the folate level. The folate level then leads to the contribution of Autism. Environmental Enrichment, in the form of sensory enrichment therapy, is one of the early treatments. This consists of different types of sensory and motor exercises daily. Sometimes theirs thermal stimulation, visual, Auditory, proprioceptive, and vestibular stimulation, and balance skills. These therapeutic exercises are administered once or twice a day, with each session lasting 10-15 minutes.

Placental Biomarkers

enguye28 — 2023-11-09 00:28:39 UTC

According to "The Prenatal Hormone Milieu in Autism Spectrum Disorder," changes in placental transcription throughout pregnancy may be used as a way to detect ASD early on. The placenta is crucial for fetal development and an adverse environment is a contributor to ASD. Complications with placenta also cause risk factors for ASD to arise, including: maternal infection, metabolic complications, and fetal growth restrictions. Disruption to the healthy development of placenta may be caused by stressors, inflammation, and metabolic disturbances. Another study identified that the thickness of placenta was also correlated to offspring having ASD.

Rs-fMRI Machine

slrhine1 — 2023-11-15 22:08:56 UTC

The Rs-fMRI machine is a sister machine to the MRI, however its main ability is to check the connection and conductivity in the pathways of the brain. Certain pathways that do not get used or have low conductivity have been linked to the diagnoses and treatment of Autism. Scans can even be done while to fetus is still in the mothers womb.

Eye-tracking technology

idoming7 — 2023-11-15 22:16:46 UTC

The eye-tracking technology is a screening tool, also known as the GeoPref test. It consists of using infrared light to follow the eye movement of the child as they watch certain things, such as series, movies, and geometric shapes. The eye-tracking technology is used to help diagnose autism, by offering the ability to detect autism in children from early as 16 months to 30 months. Although eye-tracking technology is beneficial, it's very expensive for companies to purchase and maintain. Which leads to the data that's being gathered by the eye-tracking technology being complicated to understand.

Socially Assistive Robots

enguye28 — 2023-11-15 23:30:50 UTC

Socially assistive robots are used to help Autistic children with behavioral patterns. The robot performs in a reward based system. It sounds a noise or gestures in a certain way only when the user carries out a certian action.

Visual Timers

kperalt2 — 2023-11-16 00:39:03 UTC

Visual timers are very supportive when it comes to assisting someone with Autism. It fact, they can be used almost in all situations. These timers are adaptable and portable. Some benefits to using a viausl timer is that it provides structure and routine to the patient. While it provides a structure and routine the patient will start to build independence which build condifidence in the patient. Some good outcomes of using visual timers is that it builds confidence and improves understanding for patients with Autism. This device is well recommended by therapists for people with ADHD as well as Autism. There are not known causes side effects of using visual timers although having children already on time schedules it can cause outside people or others to accommodate. For the patient it helps them more although it could cause in the beining some stress but ease over time.

Prenatal Care

slrhine1 — 2023-11-23 00:43:58 UTC

A foundational public health intervention to get would be prenatal care. The second a mother knows that they are pregnant it is crucial that they keep up on prenatal care in order to find any diagnosis inculding ASD early enough to start treatment if wanted. A barrier is mothers not knowing if they are pregnant, insurance/cost issues or access to healthcare.

Applied Behavior Analysis

idoming7 — 2023-11-23 00:44:22 UTC

Applied behavior analysis helps people with autism live safer and more fulfilling lives. Applied Behavior analysis focuses on teaching necessary skills and stopping dangerous behaviors. Some skills that are improved with this strategy are communication and language skills, as well as social skills, self-care and hygiene routines, and motor abilities. Some challenges that come with ABA is that not only is it expensive, but its difficult to teach parent and teachers strategies and interventions for their child or student.

Case Management

enguye28 — 2023-11-23 00:46:33 UTC

Applying case management to families and individuals effected is an approach to control the consequences of Autism. It incorporates a specialist's treatment plan along with other professionals, such as teachers, to aid in facing challenges. Case management may build consistent resilience to the individual and family. Barriers to this type of intervention include lack of insurance and high out of pocket costs for seeking out clinicians.

Information research and education

kperalt2 — 2023-11-23 00:49:13 UTC

Educating patients that are carring a fetus to embroy till the last week of pregnancy is important. Giving out mothers advice to exercise, and take the time to teach them about better eating habits could help reduce the chance of a baby being born with autism. The mother should also recieve tips from her provider to stay active so she not only stays healthy but for the baby. Going to checkup and the mother educating herself outside her provider is important. Taking vitamins and other supplements are ways she can take to stay healthy. Education is important to decrease chances of baby being born with Autism