Treatment for Autism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Treatment for Autism - Essay Example Because the cause is uncertain, there is no precise remedy for the disorder. Treatment approaches are primarily for improvement, rehabilitation and education on appropriate social, vocational, and communication skills. This paper will discuss Asperger Syndrome in adults, their characteristics; impairments in social functions and social and emotional factors that affect their behavior. Likewise, this paper will talk about their direction towards diversity through possible employment. Treatment and management will also be highlighted. Asperger Syndrome Asperger Syndrome (AS) was initially recognized in the early 1940s by Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger. In his practice, he observed four of his young male patients with typical intellect and verbal communication development but demonstrating autistic traits. Abnormalities in social interaction and communication, together with restrictive and repetitive behavioral patterns were noted. It was in 1944 when the disorder was officially n amed Asperger Syndrome. Asperger Syndrome falls under â€Å"Pervasive Developmental Disorders,† as stated in Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association (1994) (Myles et al, 2005). Asperger Syndrome is a developmental disorder under the scope of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). AS individuals generally have normal or superior intellect. The disorder is typified by qualitative impairment in communication, social interaction and cognition; peculiarities in sensory input; restrictive number of extreme and highly focused interests; and difficulties in organization and motor movements (Attwood, 2003). Asperger Syndrome characteristics may be manifested to a bigger or smaller extent. AS individuals may have a tendency to experience exclusion and isolation and may have difficulty understanding the world around them, eventually resulting in disappointment, despair, resentment and self-disrespect (Attwood, 2003). Common Characte ristics of Asperger Syndrome Adults Asperger Syndrome individuals frequently display a restricted ability for natural social communications, difficulty in initiating and maintaining friendships, repetitive behavioral patterns, and a narrow topic of interests. While a few of them may exhibit definite dilemmas in communication, such as poor nonverbal communication and obscure speech, several of these individuals demonstrate good and even higher cognition and verbosity. Asperger Syndrome comprises delays in gross and fine motor development, including walking abnormalities and peculiar gestures (Brasic, 2009). Individuals with Asperger Syndrome have normal or above average intellectual capacity but may not show social sensitivities or sympathy towards family and friends. Evidences were reported that AS individuals manifest excellence in the fields of music, mathematics, physics, and computer science. Whereas the delays demonstrated are usually devastating, several of these individuals e xperience optimistic results, particularly those performing extremely well in matters independent on social interaction (Brasic, 2009). Majority of AS individuals are actually proud to be diagnosed with the disorder. It is strongly believed that famous men of history such as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison both have Asperger syndrome features (Hamilton, 2010). Qualitative Impairments in Reciprocal Social Interaction AS individuals are usually socially detached; not sensitive to the feelings of