The Social and Emotional Well being of the Australian Child of Autism and its Effects on the Family - Term Paper Example

The Social and Emotional Well being of the Australian Child/ Adolescent and its Effects on the Family Name: Institution: Course Title: Instructor: Date: A Report on the Social and Emotional Well being of Australian Child/ Adolescent and its Effects on the Family: A Case Study of Childhood Autism Executive Summary The purpose of the report was to outline the social and emotional well being of Australian children/ adolescents and their impact on the family using health issue of autism as a case example and to know how nursing can be used to solve the same. The analysis through secondary data indicated that autism in a great deal compromises the social and emotional well being of children. This is because it interferes with one’s ability to employ his or her cognitive faculties. Consequently, one can’t be fully equipped with social skills as he or she is likely to suffer from extreme conditions like anxiety. It is apparent that the individual is likely to face prejudice and stereotyping from those who are not familiar with her or his status. He is likely to be seen as rude, emotional and withdrawn. In a nutshell, it means that the child’s behavioural, emotional and social functioning will not be attended to by their families and society at large. Further as a result of this condition, the families are like to face numerous strains like emotional drain and financial drain. These calls for action as the statistic indicates that approximately 63, 000 children aged 6-12 are autistic. This affects approximately 500, 000 families. To guarantee this well being, the study recommends that there is urgent need to review the role of nursing and nurses in the process. The report advocates for strong training background with increased specialisation of nurses who can deal with the same. Moreover, these nurses should be well remunerated so that they play an active role in helping these children. Lastly, the nurses should be equipped with various social skills that equally help them navigate the challenges of dealing with this group. The study concludes with the fact that nursing has an important role in helping achieve social and emotional well being of children. Table of Contents Executive Summary ii Table of Contents iii 1.0 Purpose 1 2.0 Introduction 1 3.0 Definition of Terms 2 4.0 Background 3 5.0 Contributing Factors 4 6.0 Impact of Autism on Families 4 7.0 Recommendations 6 8.0 Conclusion 7 References 8 1.0 Purpose In economic view, ill health is a costly affair to individual, families and the economy at large. In addition, it is a costly affair emotionally and socially. Nursing is an important profession in guaranteeing social and emotional well being of an individual and thus, of a nation. Nurses play an integral process of bringing one back to health or handling people throughout their illness. This means they need up to date recommendations from reliable studies and reports to guide them. On the other hand children/ adolescents are a critical mass for the future development of a nation and if their health in terms of emotional and social well being is not guaranteed then the whole nation is doomed. The essence then is how nursing profession can be used as an intervening factor of guarantee the desired well being of an individual and that of a nation. Using autism disorder as a case study, this report examines the social and emotional well being of the Australian child aged between 5-18 and the impact of the same on families. To achieve the above, the report explores the contributory factors to the said health issue and subsequently examines its impacts on family. To cap it all the study provides recommendations to the nursing profession which can then be used to improve the situation. 2.0 Introduction Those who suffer from life long illness are prone to emotional and social shocks. The underpinning concept behind this is that without proper medical, social and economic mechanism, they are more vulnerable to numerous challenges as compared to those who are leading normal life. This is equally critically to children and adolescents who are dependent on their families for survival. The emotional stress that these people undergo has a potential of ripple effect on the family, society and nation at large. Autism impairs the capability of an individual’s social interaction and communication efficiency (Raising Children Network, 2010). This is more critical to children who need these social and emotional skills for survival with estimation that at least 1 in 1000 is affected (Child and Youth Health, 2012). The overall indulgence of the nursing profession is then how to provide services that empower these people emotionally and socially through medical approaches. This is because the family can be emotionally be drained by not accepting and understanding why their child is not like others. 3.0 Definition of Terms There are various frameworks of understanding well being. These include cognitive functioning, physical health & development, behavioural/ emotional functioning and social functioning (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 2012, p.2). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (2012, p.1) defines child’s social and emotional well being as “the ability to attend to children’s behavioural, emotional and social functioning.” This is done by providing skills, capacities and characteristics that empower them to leave in positive healthy way. Australian government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012) defines a child as one who is under 18 years. Autism falls within the category of disorders referred medically as pervasive development disorders. These disorders inhibit communication and social development (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Autistic spectrum disorder is defined as “abnormal chemistry and biology in the brain that appears in the first three years of life”. The exact cause of this disease is not exactly known. However, various medical literatures have tried to link it to genetics, diet, digestive tract changes and mercury poisoning among others (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012). New Zealand Guideline Groups (2010, p.1) defines it as delayed or difficulty in three development areas. These include communication, social interaction thinking/ cognition or behaviour. 4.0 Background Autism disorder is real concern as it makes a child hyper in his or her behaviour. These include anxiety, irritability, aggression and attention problems among others. This if not well addressed might make others who are well to think that they are irrational or non rational by failing to engage their cognitive faculties. This is where the concern for their emotional well being comes in because they face double the challenge to attain social and emotional well being. With possibility of suffering from prejudice and bias, they need a concerted effort. For instance some may think they are rude and end up abusing or responding towards them physically. Moreover, these children due to their emotional instability, they can easily commit suicide. In addition, they are likely to engage in anti social behaviour as a result of neglect and loneliness. Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (2007, p.2) notes that there are varying figures on the approximate prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The same statement is corroborated by Buckley (2006, p.ii) where he quotes health minister by then that there is no national data on autism. However, basing their argument on government statistics, they note that ASD prevalence rate is 62.5 per 10, 000 for 6-12 year old children. This translates to the fact out of 160 children; one is likely to be autistic. This therefore means that for children aged 6-12 in Australia 10, 625 of them are autistic. Moreover, they note that if this percentage is extrapolated it can translate to 125, 000 people (2007, p.3). In a wider perspective, the report notes that this disorder affects approximately 500, 000 families (p.3). Buckley (2006, p.1) in his research using state of Victoria indicates that the prevalence rate is 67 per 10, 000 people. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) quotes a study that had shown that from 0-29 those who have the disorder are approximately 64, 000. The report notes that three quarters of autistic people are aged 5-18.The case for young people is emphasised here since they state that there is low prevalence in late teens. This means there should be an effort at medical level especially in nursing aimed at helping the above said bodies. 5.0 Contributing Factors Literature provided by U.S. National Library of Medicine (2012) observes that there is no clear cut known causative factor (s). The close they come to pointing the cause is based on what they term as risk factors. In this context/ framework, they note that there are combinations of factors that can cause autism. In their view, one of the main culprits is genetic factors. For instance, they indicate that identical twins are more prone to be autistic than fraternal twins or other siblings. Moreover, those born in the families with autism are likely to have children who suffer from the same. Apart from these they note that there are other suspected factors, but they are yet to be proven. These include diet, vaccine sensitivity, mercury poisoning and inability of the body to properly use vitamins and minerals. 6.0 Impact of Autism on Families As already noted, autism interferes with a child’s communication, thinking and behaviour. The disease interferes with ones social-mortar & cognitive skills. This means that owing to their unique situation, their social and emotional well being is likely to be compromised since the family, society and nation at large might not be well equipped to meet their behavioural, emotional and social functioning. In addition, to meet their already unmet and precarious conditions, families and society have to be empowered so that they can empower them for future life. Moreover, in certain situations, the kids are likely to suffer from neglect, seclusion, teasing and negative perceptions (Gupta and Singhal, 2005, p.64). Parents with autistic children undergo various challenging experience as compared to other parents. The first challenge that these people undergo through is stereotyping. The stereotype can be directed towards the child or the parents. This is likely to come from those who do not understand the situation. These can include staring, teasing and demeaning comments. The subsequent is the question of why as a parent one is not having a typical child like others (Pisula, 2011, p.93). This is based on the fact that the demands of autistic child are unique depending on the emotions he or she is undergoing. In addition, the challenge of having the kid adapt to expected standards is a concern to many parents. These include sleeping, eating and socialising. The next stress comes from stress of finances. One source of these stresses is the need for evaluation and medical costs such as therapies. Others are payment for caretakers. Apart from these, there are is the long term thought of future care-taking. Autism is life-long disorder that has to be managed throughout one’s life. This can subject one to unknown future fears. Apart from the above, one can have the fear of not knowing how the care giver he or she has employed is equal to task (Pisula, 2011, p.83). 7.0 Recommendations During training and at various institutions that nurse work at, they should be empowered adequately to be able to identify during various post natal clinic visits to identify and recommend to the paediatrician for further analysis in any suspect cases. This will help in early detection so that parents are not caught off guard and that they can learn at early stage to cope with the conditions so that the well being of the child is not compromised. The nursing profession should open up and expand specialised training in areas like applied behavioural analysis, occupational therapy and sound pathology. Moreover, to attract and retain such employees, state governments should remunerate them well so that they can contribute in the process of rehabilitation and guaranteeing of well being. This also means the ministry of health has to post such people in various public hospitals. In the context of home based care nursing, health authorities can appoint and second nurses who move around to the autistic families to check on them on a weekly basis. This can be done in terms of prevalence rate in a given locality. Apart from technical training, nurses should be equipped with various social skills so that they can act as directors of support group who carry outreach activities to various organisations and associations of parents with children suffering from autism. There should be a strong health information system for ease of tracking of patients. Schools admitting children with autistic conditions should have nurses knowledgeable in the disease. 8.0 Conclusion The report purpose was to analyses well being and role of nursing in achieving the same. The report identified that autism compromises the well being of Australian child in numerous ways. These include not able to employ the cognitive faculties thus, making a child to act in extremes. This compromises on the development of social mortar and cognitive skills which are essential for navigating this world. Moreover, it impacts on the family in terms of emotional drain and monetary costs. The report notes that nursing is an important profession in addressing the same is bold measures in terms of training, capacity development and remuneration is put in place. References Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (2007). Prevalence of Autism in Australia: Can it be Established from Existing Data? Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://autismaus.com.au/uploads/pdfs/PrevalenceReport.pdf Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009). Autism in Australia. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4428.0Main%20Features42009? opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4428.0&issue=2009&num=&view= Australian government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012). Children Passport. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: https://www.passports.gov.au/web/newppt/applyingu18.aspx Buckley, B. (2006). Autism/ASD diagnosis rates in Australia. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://autism.anu.edu.au/pdf_files/buckley_submit2.pdf Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (July, 2012). Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html Child and Youth Health (May, 2012). Autism. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=293&id=2321 Gupata, A. and Singhal, N. (2005). Psychological support for families of children with autism. Asia Pacific Disability Journal Vo. 16, No. 2, pp. 62-83. New Zealand Guideline Groups (June, 2010). What does ASD look like? Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://www.nzgg.org.nz/library_resources/71_asd_quickcard Pisula, E. (2011). Parenting Stress in Mothers and Fathers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, A Comprehensive Book on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dr. Mohammad-Reza Mohammadi (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-494-8, InTech, Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/a-comprehensive-book-on-autismspectrum- disorders/parenting-stress-in-mothers-and-fathers-of-children-with-autism-spectrum- disorders. Raising Children Network (November, 2010). Autistic Disorder. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/autistic_disorder_signs_and_symptoms.html U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (April, 2012). Administration for Children and Youth. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/im/2012/im1204.pdf U.S. National Library of Medicine (May, 2012) Autism. Retrieved on 30 August, 2012 from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002494/ Read More