1) The document provides a history of autism, tracing it back to 1911 when the term was first coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. It discusses key figures like Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger who further studied and characterized autism in the 1940s. 2) Signs and symptoms of autism are outlined, including issues with social skills, language, behavior, and sensory processing. Common comorbid conditions like ADHD and OCD are also noted. 3) Prevalence rates of autism are increasing, with current statistics of 1 in 88 children in the US being on the autism spectrum. Boys are much more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

1. Maria Thanos
Atypical Child/Adolescent Development
01: 830: 346:01 Fall 2013
EN B 120 Busch Campus
Prof. Stevie M. McKenna MA
steviemc@rci.rutgers.edu
“Children with Autism”

2. Autism p.2
We all have, but one life to live, and with it comes a deep sense of being human. To be loved
and cared for, as well as giving back to others is an inherent quality of mankind to treat each
other equally and with dignity, especially the establishment of Autism as a valid special-
education code under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, (IDEA) implemented in
1991. It is an epidemic worrying parents, educators, policymakers and public health officials
alike, in order to stem the tide with finding a cure. Some cures are specialized educational
interventions along with “lifestyle changes to enhance better quality of life for children with
Autism at an earlier age, along with safe and effective medicines to ameliorate some of the
symptoms of autism” (Grinker, 2007, pp.1-8).
History of Autism
Autism, also called “Classic Autism” or “Autistic Disorder” is a developmental condition
affecting the social communicative skills, physical actions and fine motor skills, as well as the
linguistic skills which are evident before the age of three. Autism is derived from the Greek
language meaning ‘autos’ translated to the ‘self’.
 In 1911, Swiss Psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the word "autism" in schizophrenic
patients who showed symptoms of withdrawal into one’s inner world, and were self-
absorbed, thus lacking interpersonal skills. Moreover, it is associated with the classic,
severe form of autism.

3. Autism p.3
 In 1943, Austrian born American child psychiatrist Leo Kanner distinguished the disorder
from schizophrenia. Upon evaluation of eleven children, he described them with the
following common traits: 1) impairments in social interaction, 2) anguishly distressed for
changes/modifications, 3) good memory, 4) delayed and deferred echolalia, 5) over
sensitivity to a variety of internal and external stimuli (especially sound), 6) food
problems, 7) limitations in spontaneous activity, 8) good intellectual potential, usually
coming from families with certain talents. Dr. Leo Kanner named the children simply as
“autistic”.
 In 1944, Vienna born pediatrician, Hans Asperger later becoming a psychiatrist,
independent of Kanner, wrote about a group of children calling them “autistic
psychopaths”. In most aspects they had similar characteristics resembling those of the
children of Kanner's description, but believed this was predisposed of biological and
environmental factors. The difference was that he did not mention the uncontrollable and
immediate repetition of words spoken by another person, also known as echolalia, as a
linguistic problem, but that the children talked as if they were like little grown-ups.
Furthermore, he discussed how their motor activity, was more clumsy, and rather
different from other so-called normal children at the time. Asperger was confident that,
“future studies would show that the autistic personality is neither biologically nor
genetically related to schizophrenia” (Grinker, 2007, pp56-59). Moreover, Asperger’s
disorder was seen by late twentieth century researchers as highly intelligent individuals
with milder symptoms of autism, otherwise also called “little professors” with exorbitant
vocabulary and a passion for art.

4. Autism p.4
 In 1967, Bruno Bettelheim wrote a book titled “The Empty Forest” and entailed about
three therapy sessions with children. He too called them autistic and proclaimed that
their disorder was the indifference and the coldness of their mothers, implying of not
nurturing, or having any consideration of their children. He utterly, did not allow parents
in taking part of their children's therapy. www.english.certec.lth.se/autism/kunskap_,
www.Britannica.com
Signs and Symptoms
 Loss of Skill set
 Not hitting language developmental marks and oral sensory disturbances
 Normal predictable behaviors regress into abnormal behaviors
 Odd movements, gestures that fascinate them
 Not developing normal play with toys
 Abnormal levels of anxiety
 High pain threshold
 Lack of eye contact or Visual disturbances
 Lack of Socialization and no response to vocal commands
 Headaches
 Auditory disturbances
 Frequent infections (sinuses, ears, colds)
 Seizures
 Hand Flapping, Toe walking

5. Autism p.5
 Temper Tantrums
 Sleep disturbances
 Loss of Speech
 Irregular bowel movement, diarrhea, constipation & Gastrointestinal Inflammation
 Stimming / Repetitive actions on dif. objects (McCarthy, Kartzinel, 2009,pp.11-17,302)
Prevalence Rates
Based on statistics gathered by the United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), it is a rather growing problem, if not an epidemic in some states like
California for example. On a national level it is affecting 1 in 88 children on the autism
spectrum disorder – a ten-fold increase in prevalence in past forty years. This phenomenon is
persistent with males over females, whereas boys are nearly five times more likely to be
diagnosed with autism than girls with 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with
autism in the United States alone. Social economic status does play a role, since it usually costs
a family roughly $60,000 dollars a year on average. Federal funding is at about 5% for scientific
research funding compared to many less prevalent childhood diseases. Nevertheless, having no
medical detection or a total cure for autism, cautious research shows that this increase is only
partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. This ever growing dilemma also affects
tens of millions throughout the world, which governmental autism statistics implore that the
prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. Hypothetically, a
greater awareness of enhanced diagnosis and environmental influences are two basic reasons that
have augmented the autism epidemic awareness. (www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html )

6. Autism p.6
Gender Features and Overlapping of Autism
Some unusual features of Tourette syndrome are more common in boys compared to girls.
Frequent movements, otherwise known as tics usually show up in childhood, and may be worst
as males enter puberty during their early adolescence years of 13 to 15, in the early teens. Many
people eventually outgrow them. Parents ought not to worry or show any form of excitement
towards their children’s tics, unless they interfere with their daily lifestyles. Suggestions of
discussion with your loved one, medicinal applications, as well as serene but focused activities
may improve their outcome with the disorder.
Tourette syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system, a co-morbid disorder with Autism
Spectrum Disorders such as autism and Aspergers syndrome, which occurs mostly in Caucasian
boys than others. It often occurs with other problems too, such as:
 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
 Anxiety
 Depression
(www.nlm.nih.gov/.../tourettesyndrome.htm )
In addition to the aforementioned many children who might have been labeled as mentally
retarded in the past are now being reclassified as, an impeding preference towards being
diagnosed as “Autism”. What is more, a surge of “previous diagnosed children with ADHD or

7. Autism p.7
Borderline Personality Disorder are now cohesive, if not related to as having Asperger’s
Disorder, especially at a younger age (Grinker, 2007, pp.154-160).
In conclusion, if a child does have autism, early diagnosis is imperative, although there is no
cure for autism, interventions can be helpful in developing language, managing behavior, dealing
with social interactions and learning other essential skills to promote a positive outcome in their
lives. After all, we are indebted by society and morally inclined to research and find more
solutions to diminish the stigma of autism, whereas a professional educated team along with
positive parenting might be the key to exasperate some of the disadvantages of children with
autism. In accordance, a young child's brain has great capacity for learning, the sooner these
interventions start, the greater and better their impact is likely to be in their lives and ameliorate
mankind with its uniqueness.

8. Autism p.8
“References”
Grinker, R. R. (2007). Unstrange Minds. Cambridge, MA: Basic Books.
McCarthy, J., & Kartzinel, J. (2009). Healing and preventing autism: a complete guide. New
York: Dutton.
CDC - Data and Statistics, Autism Spectrum Disorders - NCBDDD
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Encyclopedia Britannica
www.britannica.com
The History of Autism - Certec
www.english.certec.lth.se/autism/kunskap_
Tourette Syndrome: MedlinePlus
www.nlm.nih.gov/.../tourettesyndrome.htm