Who Do Children with Disabilities Live in Society - Article Example

Introduction: In the recent times there has been an increase in the cases of autism. This paper presents a literature review of ten articles which discuss various aspects of autism and its preventive measures besides dwelling on additional training for special education for the interventionists to aid children with high functioning autism. It describes various perspectives about autism disorder. 1. The article ‘Train class teachers to recognize autism’, written by Fiona Macleod emphasizes the importance of the trained persons to deal with the increasing problem of autism. There is an urgent need of addressing the ignorance among primary care givers and professional interveners on the problem of autism. The writer states that “One man described how the teaching assistant at his son’s school did not even know what Asperger’s syndrome was this lack of knowledge contributes to the argument that autism should be a compulsory subject in teacher training.” (Macleod, 2009, p.1). The author reveals in this article that hundred cases of Autistic Spectrum Disorder are reported in Scotland but there is a dearth of qualified teachers to deal with this situation. Even though some teachers do their level best, they need a support from others. This article, overall, points to the fact that we need to pay close attention to the issue of autism and take urgent measures to train teachers to deal with the situation. 2. ‘Child demographics associated with outcomes in a community-based pivotal training program’ reveals the result of a study on the efficacy of the community-based training program to deal with the menace of autism among children. This artiacle, written by Mary J. Baker Ericzen, Aubyn C. Stahmer and Amelia Burns, is published in Child and Adolescent Services Research Centre, Children’s Hospital and Health Centre, San Diego. In this program 158 families with children who are affected by autism took part. 269 families were enrolled in parent education program from 1999 to 2003 in children’s hospital at California and among them 158 families were selected for parent education program. The result of the study shows that all children who participated in this program experienced improvements in adaptive functioning. The article persuades us to take cognizance of the situation and take further steps to create awareness in parents, to confront such situations. 3. ‘Genius may be an abnormality: Educating students with Asperger’s Syndrome or High functioning autism’ is an article by Temple Grandin which reveals that high intelligent children stand the chance to have Asperger’s Syndrome. The writer points out different cases of intelligent students who are labeled as having autism or asperger’s syndrome. There are two kinds of thought processes in high intelligent people who have autism like high verbal thought and visual thought. The people who have such disorder have different skills and abilities. Therefore, there should be trained teachers who are able to develop the talents of students suffering from autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Throughout the article the writer accentuates the importance recognizing the brilliant a compliments that people with autistic disorder are capable of achieving. 4. Karen Kane who is the author of ‘Autism: Individual approach yields results’, starts this article by asking whether autism is a neurodevelopment disorder or a biomedical issue and whether the remedy for the disease is to be limited to therapies. Autism is a spectrum disease and the general behaviors of an autistic person are defects in communication, lack of social skills, repetitive behavior and obsessive interests. The writer is of the opinion that special education for the autistic students should be imparted in the regular class room which must be equipped to meet the special needs of the autistic children. If large numbers of children are put in a class room, one cannot expect much progress as personal attention to each becomes impossible. 5. The article ‘Largest study ever to investigate risk factors of autism and other developmental disabilities will begin enrolling families in Bay Area and across United States’ focuses on the result of a study conducted by the researchers from California Department of Public Health, and other five sites. The study tries to unravel the genetic and environmental factors that lead to the development of the autism. It was a five year study in which 2700 children and their parents were involved. The findings indicate that “the result may also contribute to better services and treatments for affected children and to implement prevention strategies.” (Largest study ever to investigate risk factors of autism and other developmental disabilities will begin enrolling families in Bay area and across United States, 2009, p.1). 6. Amy Sherrill is the author of the article ‘Co-teaching proves successful concept’. This article claims that co-teaching is proven, effective and successful method to deal with autistic students. In the past, students who were facing learning disabilities were pulled out of the class room. But students at East Hills Middle School, Greenwood are provided extra help without moving form class room. This school applies the method of co-teaching which makes sure that every child understands the curriculum of the class. This ensures the presence of special teacher and other teachers specialized in math, literature and other discipline. 7. ‘A social adjustment enhancement intervention for high functioning autism, asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder NOS’ is a credible article written by three authors Marjory Solomon, Beth L. Goodlin Jones and Thomas F Anders. This article presents the results of a study on social adjustment enhancement curriculum for boys whose age ranges from 8 to 12 and it took 20 weeks for the study. The curriculum was formed to address three issues of students, who are having high functioning autism, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder and the parents were also provided a semi structured training of psycho education at the meeting session of children. It is reported that there is improvement in the facial expression recognition and problem solving ability when it is compared with the students those who have not attended the session. 8. Jonathan m Campbell and Christine A Marino are the authors of ‘Brief report: Sociometric status and behavioral characteristics of peer nominated buddies for a child with autism’ that explains the correlation of behavior and social determinants of children with autism. There were 293 children who participated in the study and there were three measures in this study such as social status, behavioral and buddy nomination. Buddy nomination was measured in terms of perceived unpopularity, being viewed as helpful and smart and lack of influence in relation to popularity among friends and within the class room. The study reveals that children with autism can do many things as others do. But they need someone to help and teach them the way how things are to be done. 9. The article ‘Guilt and blame are the mother’s lot when her child has autism’ is written by Michael and Fitzpatrick. The author speaks about the parents who accuse themselves for the delay of understanding the early developmental problems in their children. Sometimes, the parents blame health professionals for the delay of the accurate diagnosis. There is a prejudice among people that after three years the brain growth is not possible. They tell that the first three years are very important and crucial in the development of the brain. John Bruer criticized this speculative theory pointing out that there is no nueroscientific evidence for the basis of this prejudice. So the early intervention should support the parents mitigating the distress after the diagnosis. 10. ‘Parent implemented early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic view’ is an article written by a clinical psychologist, Helen Mc Conachie. The writer says that there is an increase in the incidence of autism disorder among children and states that one among 200 children is reported as having the disorder of autism. The parents also participated in the formulation of intervention strategies and thereby the skills of the children were developed and the distress of the parents was lessened. This article brings out the fact that training of parents is an effective the intervention strategy for the children who are affected with autism, and there should be more studies on this area. Reference List Largest study ever to investigate risk factors of autism and other developmental disabilities will begin enrolling families in Bay area and across United States. (2009). Autism Today: Everything You Need to Know About Autism.1. Macleod, F. (2009). Train class teachers to recognize autism. Autism Today: Everything You Need to Know About Autism. 1. Read More