It is important to be able to educate others on the causal theories of ASD and properly explain how ASD is diagnosed.

CE340 Unit 2 Assignment Template Name: Term: “Discuss two ways that treatments and views on ASD have changed over time” Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment, together with prevalent perceptions about the disorder, has experienced substantial shifts. During the middle of the twentieth century, professionals misunderstood ASD, so kids with the condition frequently experienced institutionalization and received harsh medical interventions like electroconvulsive therapy (Lordan et al., 2021). The prevailing view at the time was that ASD was a result of poor parenting, particularly the “refrigerator mother” theory, which blamed mothers for their kids’ condition. The research community eventually discredited the earlier theory to establish ASD as a neurodevelopmental condition primarily determined by genetics. The contemporary approach to autism treatment consists of implementing early intervention through behavioral therapy and developing individualized education plans (IEPs) for each child (Lordan et al., 2021). Scientific evidence and compassion led to ASD treatment evolving from institutionalization and objections to benefiting and encouraging children with autism spectrum disorder. Treatment practices now eliminate the practice of delivering standardized care for all patients. Children with ASD used to get generic treatment despite the diverse presentation of symptoms and varying severity levels in the past. The healthcare industry now focuses on developing customized treatment approaches that deal with patients’ characteristics and challenges (Zaky, 2017). The therapeutic method called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) represents one of the most common treatments when explicitly used to create programs addressing individual developmental needs (Zaky, 2017). The treatment process for autistic children now recognizes families as essential because studies demonstrate that parent involvement enhances outcomes for ASD patients. Source: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/autism-spectrum-disorder-treatment-market-report “Discuss three suspected causes of ASD today” Researchers have discovered multiple elements that potentially lead to the development of ASD, even though its underlying causes remain unidentified. Scientists widely agree that ASD results from hereditary factors (Zaky, 2017). Research shows that if one child in a family has ASD, then there is a higher chance of additional family members developing the condition linked to inheritance. Studies have confirmed that several ASD-related genes exist, but scientists have yet to discover the genetic factor entirely responsible for this medical state. Environmental factors exist as another suspected origin of ASD development. Valproic acid and other particular substances that pregnant women consume before giving birth can lead to ASD development (NIEHS, 2023). Studies show that conception occurring l...