IntoASD-U5A

Understanding Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Student Full Name Institutional Affiliation Course Full Title Instructor Full Name Due date Understanding Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) A common mental disorder in children is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The phrase autism spectrum is utilized in medicine to characterize children and people who struggle with developing language skills, physical coordination, socialization, and communication. With an increasing number of affected children, it becomes exponentially essential for parents and caregivers to understand the finer details of the disorder. This paper presentation seeks to give an insightful understanding to parents and caregivers of ASD, including strategies that can be used when dealing with children with ASD. A better understanding of the definition, characteristics, and effective intervention strategies helps develop skills and attain the success caregivers can offer the children. Evolution of the definition of ASD The definition of ASD has changed markedly over time, reflecting growth and deepening scientific discovery in the field. Early Classification and Diagnosis People viewed autism as a single disorder, not related to any other condition on the developmental spectrum. The initial methods of diagnosis, such as those of the DSM-III and DSM-IV, outlined several related conditions: such as Autistic Disorder (Steinbrenner et al). Each of the three associated conditions is treated distinctively and characteristically with its diagnostic criteria. The position's primary duty is to identify and categorize the various forms of ASD in terms of behavioral and growth features. Shift to a Spectrum Approach A single publication led to a massive change in 2013 when the American Psychiatric Association published DSM-5. The DSM-5 integrated all previously separate diagnoses under one umbrella, making it one condition referred to as ASD (Steinbrenner et al., 2020). It helps to understand in the sense that autism presents itself on a continuum of symptoms and severities rather than in discrete categories. Core deficits highlighted by the DSM-5 criteria for ASD are mainly deficiencies in interpersonal relationships and interaction, as well as constrained, recurring behavioral patterns, interests, or actions. In this definition, the spectrum approach is a recognition of a more precise view regarding the fact that people with autism can experience a broad spectrum of abilities and difficulties, thus pointing to the variability within the spectrum. Changing Perspectives on Autism Historically, autism was often viewed mainly from a "deficiency" perspective, talking about the impairments and challenges related to the condition. Eventually, this has led to delineating individual strengths and potentials that might exist in a person with autism. Such a change of outlook starts to be guided by autistic self-advocates and advocacy groups who have tried to make the appearance of autism as a difference rather than just a disability (Steinbrenner et al., 2020). More and more acceptance has developed not only over the perspective of person-first language ("person with autism") but also about identity-first language ("autistic person"), acknowledging that the varied preferences within the community are equally valid. Increasing Prevalence and Awareness The increased reported frequency has also influenced the conceptualization and diagnosis of autism. In the early 1990s, a survey estimated that about two in 10,000 people were autistic. In contrast, in 2020, estimates from the CDC said that about one in 54 kids are diagnosed with autism (Steinbrenner et al., 2020). This dramatic increase in the prevalence of this condition has spurred a tremendous growth in demand for effective educational and therapeutic services, driving extensive research into evidence-based practices. Emphasize Evidence-Based Practices The evidence-based medicine movement has focused on developing evidence-based practices related to interventions for autism. In such regard, interventionists working with people who have autism may consider two main categories: comprehensive treatment models and focused intervention practices (Steinbrenner et al., 2020). This model focu...