Autism and ABA

By Regan,Kasandra and Hasti

What is Autism?

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects 1 in every 59 children. Autism is more prevalent in boys than in girls (4:1). Autism severely impacts how a person communicates with others, making it difficult for those with autism to build social bonds with others. An individual with autism may learn, communicate, and interact differently than their neurotypical peers. Since autism is on a spectrum, there is a wide range of symptoms and severities of autism. Some signs of autism may include: lack of eye contact, repetitive motions (tics), difficulty understanding other emotions, extreme sensitivity to sounds and textures, and trouble expressing their needs and wants.

What is the cause of autism?

The exact cause of autism is unknown, but scientists have a variety of ideas. Some potential causes for autism include genetics and environmental factors. Some studies have also linked autism to other genetic conditions, such as Rett’s syndrome which is a rare genetic neurological disorder that affects speech and language production, mobility, breathing, eating, and causes tics and seizures. Genetic mutations can increase the chance of getting autism. Another indicator that autism may be genetic is if one identical twin has autism, the chance of the other twin having autism is highly likely. Scientists have found that taking certain drugs, such as alcohol and anti-seizure medication while pregnant can increase the chance of having a child with autism.

Who can diagnose autism?

If you are the parent or guardian of a child dealing with autism, “You'll likely be referred to a specialist who treats children with autism spectrum disorder, such as a child psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, or developmental pediatrician, for an evaluation.” ( Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic). If you're thinking about going into the medical field and want to work with children with autism and other developmental disorders, these jobs may be perfect for you! In order to be a child psychiatrist, you will need to complete medical school, a 3-year residency in psychiatry, and 2-year specialized training focused on child psychiatry. All-in-all, it takes a typical person 9 years after college to become a child psychiatrist. To become a child psychologist, you will need a Ph.D. or Psy.D in psychology, and state license requirements vary from state to state. The whole process can take 8-12 years depending on the college and program you choose. To become a pediatric Neurologist you need to go to medical school, complete a 1-2 year internship in general pediatrics, and complete a 3-year residence in child neurology. Child psychiatry, child psychologist, and pediatric neurologist are very rewarding jobs, as they pave the path that leads children with autism towards a better life.

---

References

Autism spectrum disorder. (2018, January 06). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352934

How Common is Autism? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://autismsciencefoundation.org/what-is-autism/how-common-is-autism/#:~:text=In 2018, the Centers for,Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Identical twins with autism differ significantly in severity of social traits. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/identical-twins-autism-differ-significantly-severity-social-traits#:~:text=While many genetic studies have,traits between identi

Miller, A. (2016, September 29). What Courses Do I Need to Take to Become a Child Psychiatrist? Retrieved from https://education.seattlepi.com/courses-need-become-child-psychiatrist-2120.html

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? (2020, March 25). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

Writer, S. (2020, August 27). How to Become a Child Psychologist: Child Psychology Degrees and Careers. Retrieved from https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychologist/child-psychologist/