There are many diseases and disorders that seem to be developing at a rapid and unexplained rate in this society. Many Americans perceive these to be an illness or a deviant condition. One of the “illnesses” that is very common in our society today is autism. What is autism? How and why has it developed? According to the Autism Science Foundation (ASF), autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication skills, as well as extremely challenging behaviors. The behaviors include repetitive motor behaviors like, hand flapping, body rocking, insistence on sameness, resistance to change, and in some cases self-injury or aggression. Many individuals with ASD have impairments, although some have low or even above average IQ’s. Thirty to Fifty percent of people with autism also have seizures (ASF.org). Dr. Leo Kanner first described autism in 1943. He reported on children who showed a lack of interest in other people, but they had a highly unusual interest in an inanimate environment (ASF.org). At the time autism was thought to be an early form of schizophrenia. This led to the belief that its onset could be caused by bad parenting or a negative experience ASF.org. Studies have shown this is not the issue. Looking into to autism and the disorders, there are five autism spectrum disorders. These are sometimes called Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD). The disorders are pervasive developmental delay, autism; which is sometimes referred to as classic autism, childhood autism or autistic disorder, asperger syndrome, rett syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder (ASF.org).
What causes autism is uncertain. What is supposedly “certain” is that most autism can be detected in infants as young as six to eighteen months (ASF.org). However, in an article by Jeremy Minyard called The Autism Information Epidemic, he says “There are no reliable biological indicators in most cases of autism. Behavioral symptoms vary widely and often overlap with other neurological disorders. The initiative of parents in identifying these symptoms in their own children, and encouraging a doctor to do the same, makes diagnosis of the disorder much more likely”. Many scientists have determined autism comes from genetically based conditions according to the ASF. Scientists are unsure if any environmental triggers may be the cause or the main factor involved with this condition (ASF.org). There are also theories that have become popular in recent years. One of the theories is that autism is due to what is put in a child’s vaccine and food. In the two video clips below, highly rated talk show host Alex Jones breaks this issue down by using declassified government documentation, and reasons behind this issue. In these alarming videos Jones tries to make it clear to your attention. After watching these video clips or reading this blog, I highly recommend that you research and follow up on what Alex Jones is discussing. Most importantly, research the issue of autism. You can also visit infowars.com for further information. Caution, you may receive an awaking.
According to the ASF, autism is four times more likely to affect boys than girls. This is also found in all racial, ethnic, and social groups. In an article by Michelle Diament called Minorities Show More Severe Signs of Autism, it mentions that it is unclear exactly why children from minority backgrounds are diagnosed with autism later. The researchers from this article say it could be related to cultural differences in how people perceive development as a child. Another interesting point mentioned in Diaments article from researchers says “They could not rule out the possibility that there may be biological differences in the manifestation of autism among different ethnic groups contributing to the more pronounced delays observed in children from minority backgrounds”. In relation to deviance, this is an underlining social construction that impacts this illness and perception. Minorities should not be automatically labeled deviant because of a perception or sign of autistic symptoms.
One of my brother’s friends is an African American living with autism. You would not know it if you met him. Throughout the ten years I have known him; he eventually came out and told his friends he was autistic. At first we laughed in disbelief thinking there was no way he could have been autistic. One night I asked both of his parents about his condition and found out it was a fact. For having autism, his IQ is fairly high. He is a graduate of the University of Washington. This is a prime example of the misconceptions about autism. Society has this belief that those living with this condition are not able to do what others can. The reality is, as we learn more about autism truth gets revealed.
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Work Cited:
http://contexts.org/discoveries/the-autism-information-epidemic/
http://mtdiablosped.blogspot.com/2012/02/minorities-show-more-severe-signs-of.html
http://autismsciencefoundation.org/
