Autism
By Jana Arentz
Psychology 101
March 16, 2008
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Autism is one of five developmental disorders that are part of the Autism
Spectrum Disorders, which also includes Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Pervasive
Development Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. “Autism is a complex
developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result
of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting
development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills” (Autism Society of
America, 2008a). Although the severity of autism varies from case to case, general symptoms of
autism include little to no eye contact with others, sensitivity to touch, staring into space for
excessive amounts of time, difficulty in both verbal and non-verbal communication and social
interaction, and resistance to change.
Today, autism affects “an estimated 1 in 150 childbirths” (ASA, 2008b). In other words,
roughly one and a half million Americans are believed to have some form of autism today.
What’s worse is that the diagnosis of autism is on the rise at a “startling rate of 10-17 percent per
year. At this rate, the Autism Society of America estimates that the prevalence of autism could
reach four million Americans within the next decade” (ASA, 2008a).
Unfortunately, autism “is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls” (ASA, 2008c),
affecting “around one in ninety-four” (About, 2008). Lee Grossman, the director and CEO of
the Autism Society of America, calls autism “the most non-discriminating, equal opportunity
condition” (ASA, 2008b). In other words, autism affects every race, religion, ethnicity, or
nationality all the same. Children cannot outgrow autism, however “studies show that early
diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes” (About, 2008).
There is no known cause for autism, however “it is generally accepted that it is caused by
abnormalities in brain structure or function” (ASA, 2008). There are, though, many different
theories that are being studied and tested more and more each day. Scientists know that “brain
scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism versus
neuro-typical children” (ASA, 2008). Also, in many families, “there appears to be a pattern of
autism or related disabilities” (ASA, 2008), which further supports a genetic basis to autism.
Another factor supporting genetics as the cause of autism is that “autism tends to occur more
frequently among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including Fragile X
syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and untreated phenylketonuria” (ASA, 2008).
Still, other scientists are studying the possibility of problems during the pregnancy and
also certain environmental factors, such as “environmental toxins which are more prevalent in
our current environment than in the past. These individuals have a metabolic impairment that
reduces their ability to rid their bodies of heavy metals and other toxins. Build-up of these toxins
in the body can lead to brain and nervous system damage and developmental delays” (ASA,
2008). “Oxygen deprivation during fetal development or delivery also plays a role in promoting
autism” (Dawson, 2007). “Prenatal exposure to viral infections, organophosphates (chemicals
found in pesticides and insecticides), and also valproic acid might be particularly harmful to the
developing brain” (Dawson, 2007). Some believe that it is an interaction of both genetics as well
as the environment that “results in abnormal brain development and symptoms” (Dawson, 2007).
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Several studies have been done around the world that show older parents are more likely
to have autistic children. “This reflects the fact that genetic mutations become more likely the
more that cells divide” (Dawson, 2007). The older we get, the more cells divide and make
copies of themselves. One study done on Israel found that “children of men who were forty or
older were almost six times as likely to develop autism compared with children of men younger
than thirty” (Dawson, 2007). Another study done in the United States found that “children born
to mothers who were thirty-five or older were more than three times as likely to have autism
compared with those born to younger women” (Dawson, 2007). Finally, a European study found
“the risk of having an autistic child more than doubled for mothers thirty-five or older” (Dawson,
2007).
One of the most popular and well-known theories is that “mercury and thimerosal, which
were often used in vaccines, could cause autism” (Sack-Min, 2008). One family, the Polings,
blame their daughter, Hannah’s, autism on the toxins in the vaccines she was given. “Within
days of receiving nine vaccines during a visit to her doctor, Hannah became another person.
Months later she was diagnosed with autism. The Hannah we knew was gone” (Cotliar, 2008).
Hannah’s autistic behavior includes screaming, sitting for hours, staring into space and refusing
to be touched, as well as walking in circles and talking to herself. More recently, “Hannah
developed a seizure disorder and she has begun to hit and bite herself and leave her house
without any warning” (Cotliar, 2008). According to court documents, the shots given to Hannah
“significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, a disease that impedes a cell’s
ability to generate energy. That, in turn, produced a brain injury that resulted in autistic
behavior” (Cotliar, 2008). Though the Poling family won their case and will be compensated for
Hannah’s care, the government refuses to state that vaccines are the cause of autism because,
even with the removal of thimerosal from all vaccines, the autism rate is still rising. Also,
millions of children still receive vaccines and do not develop autism.
Scientists are constantly looking for any clues to the true cause of the neurobiological
disorder autism. Unfortunately, “some people speculate there could be 90 to 100 genes, plus
thousands of environmental stressors involved in triggering autism. It could take years or
decades before a cause is found, and even longer to find a cure. People have to be realistic and
understand that autism is at least as complicated as cancer” (Sack-Min, 2008).
Obviously, future research should focus on the causes of autism, hopefully leading to a
cure. “Given the brain’s marvelous plasticity, the hope is that it may be possible in the future to
intervene and help the brain ‘rewire’ to either avoid autistic symptoms or minimize the
consequences” (Dawson, 2008). However, as children continue to struggle with autism today,
we should be doing all we can to give them the best education in schools as well as life-skills
that is possible. We should begin following the example set by New Jersey’s Brick Township, a
school focused solely on providing excellent education and services for children with autism. In
each classroom, there are numerous aides who work with the students individually on a specific
lesson. Individualized lessons are created for each child because of the students’ dramatically
different personalities and learning levels. Parents are constantly involved in the school day as
well. While inclusion has become a big issue lately, “some caution that a failed attempt at
inclusion could have more severe ramifications for autistic students because of their social
weaknesses” (Sack-Min, 2008). However, “just because they have autism doesn’t mean they
shouldn’t have these opportunities” (Sack-Min, 2008).
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Works Cited
Cotliar, Sharon (2008, March 24). One family's victory. People Magazine, March issue, [121-122].
Dawson, G. (2007 November). Searching for early signs of autism spectrum disorders. Retrieved March 16, 2008,
from http://www.health.harvard.edu
Sack-Min, Joetta (2008, March). The cost of autism. National School Boards Association, Retrieved March 16, 2008
Simontacchi, Carol (2008, March). Autism update. Active Interest Media, Inc., 70, Retrieved March 16, 2008, from
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.ycp.edu:8000/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid.com
(2008a). About autism. Retrieved March 16, 2008, from Autism society of America Web site: http://www/autismsociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home.com
(2008b). What are autism spectrum disorders?. Retrieved March 16, 2008, from Autism Society of America Web
site: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis.com
(2008c). What causes autism. Retrieved March 16, 2008, from Autism Society of America Web site:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatcauses.com
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