Jane Doe
Autism is a disease that begins to show signs in early childhood and continues throughout the individual’s life. There are wide arrays of signs, symptoms, and behaviors that can be seen among those who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which can make proper diagnosis challenging at times. To better understand the complex nature of ASD, several videos are observed and correlated with the diagnosis criteria from the American Psychological Association’s DSM-V. The following six videos each display a variety of autistic individuals of various ages that show the different symptoms common to ASD.
Video 1: Two Year Old Boy
In the video, a two year old boy is shown walking and dancing to music as his mother calls out to him from behind the camera. Immediately there is evidence of flapping hand motions that are a symptom common among autistic children (“The Rocker Mommy,” 2011). He is also walking around in circles repeatedly with consistent movement that is correlated to be a definite symptom used by the DSM-V for flagging ASD. In addition to the repetitive body movement of turning circles and flapping his hands, the boy appears to be unable to fully communicate with his mother. She is heard asking him various questions that are appropriate for his age level, yet he appears to have delayed speech and language skills (“The Rocker Mommy,” 2011). This little boy is clearly still at an early developmental stage, therefore only the physical signs of his body movement repetition, along with his lack of communication can be found as confirmation of receiving a diagnosis of ASD.
Video 2: Five Year Old Bridgette
A five year old girl named Bridgette who has moderate to severe autism is filmed by her parents in the bathroom where they work on therapy (“Kwatts2000,” 2007). She is shown taking a break from therapy to play. Immediately it is easy to confirm that the child has some significant developmental issues from her odd behavior. There does not seem to be any expression on her face, rather an emotionless appearance without any indication of what she may be thinking or feeling. It is almost as if she is in a world of her own (“Kwatts2000,” 2007). Her facial expression almost looks as if she is frowning the whole time looking somewhat aggravated without any signs of happiness in her expression. Her lack of proper eye contact is further evidence of possible ASD. Other aspects of her autism can be seen by the rocking type movement of her body, as well as the hand movements, and her need for moving from place to place within the bathroom (“Kwatts2000,” 2007). One could concur that another strange factor of therapy and play time in the bathroom is a sign of an obsessive interest and attachment to needing to be in a place that she feels most comfortable. As her parents begin to sing nursery rhymes, she is not entirely interested or attentive of interacting with them, and when she does attempt to sing along it is rather difficult to comprehend all the words she says (“Kwatts2000,” 2007). In Bridgette’s case, it is easy to see moderate to severe signs of autism.
Video 3: Autism Stimming in the Car
In this video, a boy is shown sitting in the car making strange noises while moving his hands to his face, his ears, and other unusual movements (“SarahRose0413,” 2011). There is no expression of happiness on his face and nearly no eye-contact with his parents who are assumed to be video-taping the child. He seems somewhat distressed, which may likely be his reason for stimming as a method to comfort himself from whatever sensory stimulation that may be bothering him (“SarahRose0413,” 2011). The boy almost seems oblivious of where he is as he is completely withdrawn from his environment and entirely focused on the stimming that can be seen through hand motions and the guttural sound coming out of him (“SarahRose0413,” 2011).
Video 4: Diana’s World
A teenage girl named Diana is interviewed in this video along with her mother. It is obvious that Diana is a high functioning autistic individual based on her ability to communicate with the individuals who partake in the filming (“Toni Boucher,” 2011). She is coherent and able to show some expression and be aware of the things that bother her, such as when friends gave her hugs (“Toni Boucher,” 2011). Her mother reminisces about the habits she had while young, which are typical in those with ASD. For example, when heading to preschool she had to find “the perfect rock” before she felt comfortable leaving for school (“Toni Boucher,” 2011). Diana’s incredible obsession with reading her favorite book series is another example of the single-minded focused attention on activities that autistic individuals often display (“Toni Boucher,” 2011).
Video 5: Severe Autism Meltdown
The little girl in the video is clearly having an inconsolable tantrum that could result in self-injury the way that she is slamming her head against her mother who has to hold onto her face to limit the movement (“Helena Rutan,” 2014). One could assume that she is feeling overwhelmed by something in her environment that has set her off into an all-out rage infused fit. For a brief moment she calms down when spinning the plastic container on the table, which is what many autistic children often do(“Helena Rutan,” 2014). These erratic behaviors involving an out of control tantrum by the child with autism is conclusive of ASD.
Video 6: Positive Aspects of Being an “Aspie”
Asperger’s Syndrome falls into the autism spectrum diagnosis based on the DSM-V. The video recorded by a young woman with Asperger’s Syndrome shares with viewers what life is like as an Aspie (“TheAnMish,” 2011). Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of life with ASD, she informs the viewers of the positive traits and qualities that can be found in those living with the disease Aspie (“TheAnMish,” 2011). She explains that individuals with the disorder tend to be extremely loyal and caring, almost to a flaw, which may be associated with the inability to properly understand other’s responses towards them Aspie (“TheAnMish,” 2011). She also talks in depth about the way an Aspie can focus intensely on what they enjoy doing Aspie (“TheAnMish,” 2011). The focus that they can have on activities they enjoy is of an obsessive nature, which is a common characteristic symptom of ASD.
References
Helena Rutan. (2014, Sept. 20). Severe Autism Meltdown. Mother Attempts to Restrain Autistic
Daughter from Self-Injury. [Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spuMFceTZGo
Kwatts 2000. (2007, Oct. 7). This is Brigette. This is autism. [Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqSGSMZfgNQ
SarahRose0413. (2011, Feb. 13). Autism stimming in the car. [Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxH-Vubdzus
TheAnMish. (2011, May 11). Positives about being an Aspie. [Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At4Vmo13vJE&list=PL7B99BC795735F363
TheRockerMommy. (2011, Feb. 16). Adorable 2 Year Old Boy Displaying one of the Early
Signs of Autism (Hand-Flapping). [Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKOfrT9H5Gs
Toni Boucher. (2011, March 27). High Functioning Autism and Sensory Issues - Diana's World.
[Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnEJeH6lP8M
