A Relationship Between Autism and Psychology - Essay Example

Abstract
Autism refers to a developmental disorder that interferes with the ability of children to communicate and relate with people effectively (PubMed Health, 2012). It interferes with the normal development of the brain thus affecting interactions and communication. The real cause of the disorder has not yet been discovered. However, psychologists associate it with atypical chemistry and biological processes in the brain (Corsello, 2005).

Autistic children encounter difficulties when performing activities such as verbal and nonverbal communication, play, and social interactions (Cohen, 2002). In many children, autism develops before the age of 3. A relationship between autism and psychology has been established by defining and associating their dynamics. Psychology is a field of study that deals with the human mind.

Consequently, children become psychologically affected by being different from other children. Inability to communicate and interact effectively causes them social anxiety and depression that has far-reaching psychological implications (PubMed Health, 2012). Psychologists use various variations of talk therapy to correct strained communication skills. A psychologist is able to help autistic individuals improve their communication skills, overcome anxiety and depression, and learn how to interact effectively with other people (Flusberg, 1999). Autistic individuals react differently to different situations, show obsessive attachment to items, show great sensitivity to touch, smell, or touch, and repeat certain movements. They also avoid social situations, avoid interactions, become withdrawn, and treat other people inappropriately (PubMed Health, 2012). Psychologists understand these reactions because they emanate from adverse effects on certain faculties of the brain.

One of the roles of psychologists is to diagnose and recommend treatment methods for autism (Flusberg, 1999). Therefore, autism cannot be effectively diagnosed and treated without the services of psychologists. They aid autistic individuals to eradicate depression, anxiety, and preservative behaviors that affect them adversely (Corsello, 2005). Psychologists accomplish these roles because they fully understand the effects and consequences of autism. On the other hand, psychologists also help victims to manage their lives, improve social interactions, and understand various social cues that determine the effectiveness of communication.

Autism and psychology are related through the methods used to treat the disorder. These methods include psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, and developmental psychology. Psychotherapy is a method that involves the use of talk as a way of solving a patient’s emotional problems (Corsello, 2005). Psychologists use methods such as role-play and exposure therapy to assist autistic individuals (PubMed Health, 2012). Applied behavior analysis manages the disorder by teaching autistic individuals new behaviors that replace existing behaviors that could have resulted from the effects of the disorder. Psychologists use rewards to teach patients certain behaviors thus conditioning them in ways that eradicate the disorder (Corsello, 2005). Development psychology deals with aspects of child development. A direct link can be established between this branch of psychology and autism because autism interferes with the normal development of a child’s brain while psychology studies the functioning of the brain. It forms the foundation for autism remedies such as relationship development intervention.

Cognitive psychology is a branch of psychology that plays a critical role in the identification of social and communicative impairments that result from autism (Flusberg, 1999). The discipline uses cognitive deficits analysis and identification of the features of the phenotype involved in the development of the disorder. To this end, it has been used to explicate deficits observed in the fields of play, communication, and social interaction among autistic individuals. Psychologists comprehend autism because they understand the functioning of the brain. Therefore, they know what affects it, and how it can be treated. The theory of mind is a theory that represents a psychological model of autism, thus linking psychology and autism (Flusberg, 1999). The theory has aided psychologists in interpreting language and social deficits in autism.