Differentiation of Different Forms within the Autism Spectrum - Research Paper Example

The Implications of High Functioning Autism Introduction Developments in science and medicine have led to accurate establishment of the various features of autism and a differentiation of the different forms within the autism spectrum. The society has had negative perceptions on autism, most of which result from misconception and stereotyping of the disorder. As a result, people with autism have been labeled as outsiders within some societies. Nonetheless, in the contemporary society, there is a lot of information on autism which is presented in works of literature, research, movies and the media and thus perception on autism are slowly changing. In addition, the theory of labeling within the society has led to increased support for special treatment of people with autism. Furthermore, it has been argued that if these people lose the autism label they are likely lose preferential treatment. This research paper gives a critical analysis and discussion of autism with a special focus on the implications of high functioning autism within the contemporary society. Autism Defined Autism is a nervous system disorder which emanates from an anomaly a children’s neural development. Autism is defined within three distinct areas which illustrate that a child is autistic. These are social behavior in relation to communication, restricted activities or interests and imaginative or symbolic play (Noterdaeme and Christian 475). Therefore the disorder manifests itself through inhibited social skills such as impairment in communication skills. Children who are affected by this disorder also demonstrate inability to socialize with others (Crane and Adam 245). The medical definition of autism also illustrates the distinct repetitive behavior of the affected young people which is one of the characteristics of this disorder. Nonetheless, for a child to be defined as autistic, the aforementioned characteristic must be demonstrated before three years of age (Napolitano 265). However, it must be noted that clinical definition of autism recognizes that an autistic child has a good balance of specificity, reliability on the basis of novice rating and an IQ range with good coverage (Taylor and Hannah 377). Autism Spectrum Diagnosis The spectrum diagnosis for autism is the application of diagnostic approaches which are aimed at determining the specific form of autism which affects a child. In the diagnosis autism, the differences within the autism spectrum such as high functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome and Idiot savant syndrome are determines through variations of symptoms (Dymond, Christie and Steve 133). Both Asperger’s syndrome and high functioning autism are milder cases within the autism spectrum. The intelligence of a child with Asperger’s syndrome would be either average or above average. The symptoms of autism such as poor social and communication skills however persist. Additionally, in the diagnosis of autism symptoms of developmental delays such those of savantism are included in the differential diagnosis before a conclusive diagnosis is reached (Solomon and Sally 32). The features and symptoms of high functioning autism are important in its diagnosis. The difference between high functioning autism and other forms of the disorder is that, it presents the least severe of symptoms, a feature which is used in the diagnosis process. However, even individuals with high functioning autism have to cope with daily challenges which characterize the disorder, for example difficulty of the affected individual to relate with others (Reaven 192). One of the most prominent features of high functioning autism is a delay in the motor skills of a child. When a child presents with intelligence level which is above average but with a delay in motor skills, doctors reach a conclusive diagnosis for high functioning autism (Christina 114). Moreover, children with high functioning autism show difficulty in the understanding abstract language. A child with this disorder will therefore be unable to comprehend humor in addition with struggles with exchanging conversation with others. Furthermore, a child suffering from high functioning autism may not be able to response promptly to stimuli such as particular smells, textures and signs which are easily noticeable by a normal child. These features add up to the characteristics of a child who is affected by high functioning autism and play an important role in the diagnosis of the disorder (Margaret 348). Autism in Literature and Movies Autism has been presented by authors in works of art such as novels, movies and film. In Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, Christopher is depicted as a child with high functioning autism (Haddon 12). This is demonstrated by the fact that the child is logical and smart. Christopher’s autism is characterized by his struggles with social interaction and communication. Moreover, the child is obsessed about logical and orderly arrangement of things. The abilities that Christopher has made the society to treat him in a special way. The child has abilities of memorizing timetables, maps and numbers. He is actually considered to be genius because of the accuracy with which he talks about computers, astrology and even death. Mark Haddon’s work of fiction aims at depicting the attitudes of the society to a child with autism. The author illustrates that a child with autism has a capability of living by her or his own. For example the future of Christopher is depicted to be bright despite the inevitable challenges which he is bound to face within the society (Haddon 25). It is evident from the novel that the society appreciates milder forms of autism because of the rare talents and abilities which make the affected child to be demonstrate genius mental abilities. On the other hand the serious forms of autism such as savantism have received negative perceptions in the past because of the poor social skills which many consider to be a social handicap. For this reason children with savantism which lies within the spectrum of autism disorders make the affected children to be called idiot savants and thus the reference of this disorder as idiot savant syndrome. In the movie “Rain Man” Ronald Bass and Barry Morrow have written a script which has received debate and implications on the society’s popular culture on people with autism. The Rain Man is depicted as a person who is affected by savantism (Schull 48). As produced by Barry Levinson, the movie Rain Man illustrates how the media has stereotyped people with autism. It is evident that the view of the media on people with the various forms of autism is inaccurate and incorrect. The writers of the script however aim at removing the societal misconception about individuals with autism. From this movie, there is a revelation that many agencies and institutions have failed to accommodate people with autism (Schull 65). The Rain Man was rated as one of the best movies scripted and produced around the societal perception of autism spectrum. This is because the movie presents a logical presentation of the special skills that autistic people possess which would be utilized by agencies, institutions and organizations regardless of the fact that they have savant attributes (Schull 105). The Perceptions of the Society on Autism There are many misconceptions within the society on autism. The special abilities that some children with autism demonstrate are believed to be a feature of all forms of autism. This is not the case because not all autistic individuals have special abilities. Research findings reveal that it is only one out of 200 autistic people who have special abilities (Napolitano 266). As a result, children with autism who fail to demonstrate special skills and talent in art and mathematics for example are considered to be retarded. Nonetheless high functioning autism which is characterized by above average intelligence quotient is appreciated by the society as compared to other forms of autism spectrum (Noterdaeme and Christian 480). The perceptions and attitudes of the society toward autism have led to stereotyping of the affected people as socially handicapped (Crane and Adam 252). The society believes that autism is a condition which only affects children (Taylor and Hannah 380). This is a wrong perception because the affected children grow into autistic adults. There is no specific treatment for autism (Reaven 195). However it is possible to provide social support for the affected individuals which would help them to have an enhanced life experience. Nonetheless, a majority of the societal members believe that children with autism will eventually be cured (Solomon and Sally 32). However, with increased knowledge about autism which is being presented in works of art such as books, movies and media forums, there is increased awareness about the disorder within the contemporary society (Steuernagel 138). Most of the members of the society are not aware of the features which distinguish one form of autism from another. As a result autism is considered as a condition which deprives children of their social and communication skills as well as their intelligence (Christina 110). However, the increased enlightenment about autism has made the contemporary society to view high functioning autism in higher regards because the intelligence of the affected children is normally above average regardless of the compromised motor and communication skills (Margaret 347). Studies have revealed that people perceive autism as a very rare condition. Nonetheless, autism is more common than many people think. For example, it has been found that within the UK alone, one person of every 100 people has autism (Dymond, Christie and Steve 134). With the increased accessibility of information about this condition, people have started to realize that the disorder in all of its forms is common within the society and thus coping with autism is becoming less of a problem in the contemporary society as compared to the classical times. Labeling Autism According to Howard Becker’s theory, deviance from the normal makes individuals to be labeled as outsiders (Becker 14). Because of the eminent differences in behavior between normal children and those who are affected by autism, the society has generally categorized people with autism as outsiders. This has led to forms of treatment for the people with autism which is not far from discrimination. Becker’s theory reveals that the society often forms social groups in accordance with the behavior, features and attributes which they share. As a result, it is possible to find people with autism being segregated from the normal society because of the abnormal features which they demonstrate. The inability of people with autism to have social skills has led to neglect and discrimination (Steuernagel 140). Becker’s theory further demonstrates that the society has specific values such as social interaction which it considers as the norm and thus deviant from such values makes an individual to be stereotyped as an outsider. The discrimination which some societies have demonstrated against people with autism is not justifiable because it is not the choice of people with autism to avoid social interaction. These people must be given understanding, fair treatment and accepted as members of the society and not as outsiders. Conclusion In the light of the above discussion, it is conclusive that being labeled as having autism may lead to benefits such being regarded as an individual with superior and unique mental qualities. However, research reveals that it is only a small fraction of people with autism who have special talents, skills and abilities. However, the limitations which children and people with autism have in communication and social skills have revealed that some societies view people with autism as outsiders which demonstrate a form of discrimination against the affected individuals. Nonetheless the increased understanding of autism in the contemporary society has led to increased moral support and preferential treatment to people who have been labeled as having autism. Works Cited Becker, Howard. Outsiders, London: Collier-Macmillan, 1963. Print. Christina, Mann, Layne. "Early Identification of Autism: Implications for Counselors." Journal of Counseling and Development: JCD, 2007, 85.1: 110-4 Crane, Jennifer., and Adam Winsler. "Early Autism Detection: Implications for Pediatric Practice and Public Policy." Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 2008, 18.8: 245-53 Dymond, Stacy., Christie, Gilson., and Steve, Myran. "Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Needs to Change?" Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 2007, 18.3: 133-4 Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: [a Novel]. New York: Doubleday, 2003. Print. Margaret, Pericak-Vance. "A Comparison of Repetitive Behaviors in Aspergers Disorder and High Functioning Autism." Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 2007, 37.4: 347-360 Napolitano, Deborah. "Increasing Response Diversity in Children with Autism." Journal of applied behavior analysis 2010, 43.2: 265-71 Noterdaeme, Michele., Elke Wriedt, and Christian Hohne. "Asperger’s Syndrome And High-Functioning Autism: Language, Motor and Cognitive Profiles." European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2010, 19.6: 475-481. Reaven, Judith. "Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Co-Occurring Anxiety Symptoms: Implications for Assessment and Treatment." Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing,2009, 14.3: 192-199. Schull, Rich. Autism, Pre Rain Man: Pre Rain Man Autism. New York: iUniverse, 2003. Print. Solomon, Marjorie., Nirit Buaminger, and Sally, Rogers. "Abstract Reasoning and Friendship in High Functioning Preadolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders." Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 2011, 41.1: 32-43 Steuernagel, Trudy. "Increases in Identified Cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Policy Implications." Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 2005, 16.3: 138-46. Taylor, Bridget., and Hannah, Hoch. "Teaching Children with Autism to Respond to and Initiate Bids for Joint Attention." Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2008, 41.3: 377-91 Read More