Abstract
Autism is a disorder characterized by speech disorders, communication difficulties and impaired neurological disorder. This disorder mainly affects children of the age of 8 months to approximately 10 years. This paper discusses the importance of identifying children with autism at an early age. The paper gives a brief introduction, followed by detailed definitions, research, concepts and applications. He research reveals that early discovery is vital for intervention and proper care
Autism in Children Ages 3-5
Introduction
Autism is a disorder that is mainly characterized by speech disorders, communication difficulties and impaired neurological development. This disorder is common among people of all ethnicities and age (Barbaro & Dissanayake, 2009). According to the research carried out in the United States, 1 out of 80 children have this disorder. Moreover, autism is prevalent in boys as compared to girls. Further studies revealed that the rate of children having autism is increasing. United States scientists discovered that autism has now become the fastest growing disorder in the world. Unlike in the past when the disease was rare, the disorder is now be seen at a more regular rate. More children are being affected (Begeer et al., 2012).
Terms Used in the Research
Several key terms have been used in the research. The first term is pervasive development disorders which are types of disorders that entails delays in growth and development of social, speaking or communication skills. Children who have this type of disorder do not think well. They are always confused. It affects children who are 3-5 years. An example of such disorder is autism (Shattuck et al., 2009).
The second term is autism. Thirdly, diagnosis is a common term used in the medical field. It is defined as determining the nature and the cause of a disease and disorder (Fountain, King & Bearman, 2011). Also, epidemiology like diagnosis is common in the medical field. It is described as the study of the impact and cause of a certain disease as related to a specific region or people (Shattuck et al., 2009).
Problems
Studies reveal that there is no given cure of autistic disorder. Though there are methods used to treat it, no known specific cure has been given. However, in order to reduce the prevalence of autism, early detection is needed. When autism is discovered at an early age, the federal or state government is given the time to come up with policies that will assist in the treatment and occurrence. Moreover, research has revealed that the earlier the parents know about their children’s situation, the better it is to give the desired care that will assist in curing the child. Despite the importance of early discovery, studies have revealed that autism is not discovered as early as it is required. This has contributed to the increasing prevalence of Autism cases in the United States (Shattuck et al., 2009).
Early Discovery of Autism among Children is Vital for Treatment and Policy Development
Research reveals that early discovery of autism disorder contributes to a child’s psychological and physical development. Further studies show that early discovery assists in proper policy development by education professionals. The identification of autism takes a broad perspective, for example, diagnoses and special education. Due to the importance of early discovery, pediatrics association has suggested screening of all children during clinic checkups which are usually done on children at the age of 1-3 years. This is supported by the fact that pediatrics in the United States are able to identify autism in children under the age of two years (Shattuck et al., 2009).
Studies that had been done earlier showed that the impairments associated with autism can be changed through early treatment. Early intervention is directly related to early diagnosis and discovery. Early identification, according to scientist, has helped the parents to have knowledge of their children’s growth difficulties. This has assisted them to handle the care giving procedures and techniques. It has also given them insight on looking for professional help from experienced pediatrics who will give them genetic counseling (Johnson, 2007). Moreover, it has assisted policy makers, especially in education to come up with early childhood intervention methods that are suitable to children with disabilities such as autism. Early identification of children with autism is therefore very vital if the increasing cases of autism are to be reduced (Shattuck et al., 2009).
Summary of the Investigations
Several studies concerning the effect of early identification on intervention of autism on children at the age of 3-5 have been done intensively. From these researches, pediatrics have discovered that it is possible to put out a continuous checkup on children under the age of three. These checkups are able to reveal children with autism. A study done in the United States revealed that it is very vital to have an early identification. One of the studies carried out in different States in the United States entailed the use of children approximately 8 years old from various ethnicities (Shattuck et al., 2009). Therefore, investigations carried out in this research entailed children 3-5 years old and it focused on the importance of early identification on intervention of autism
Main Points Supporting the Research
This paper supports the idea that early discovery assist in proper treatment of autism among children aged 3-5 years. First of all, the research has clearly shown that pediatrics in the United States are of the idea of early identification. Moreover, studies reveal that early identification have assisted parents in looking after the children and policy makers in coming up with effective legislations that help the disabled children both at home and in school (Shattuck et al., 2009).
Relationship of the Research to the Contemporary society
Community developers have played a vital role in trying to come up with concepts and methods that can be used to assist children with autism in the society. However, despite their efforts, research has revealed that there is an increasing rate of children being affected with autism. This is because children with autism are being identified when they are of age. This is commonly seen in Black and Hispanic communities. As a result of the late discovery, intervention has become difficult. Therefore, the current society needs help when it comes to issues related to autism (Shattuck et al., 2009; Johnson, 2007).
Further Research Possibilities and Applications
This research can be effectively applied in early childhood education since it provides policies to be applied in this sector. It is very vital to carry out research on the effects of early intervention. However, further studies are needed in the area related to ethnicity. Studies revealed that there is disparity in the level of identification in Black and Hispanic Communities as compared to Whites. Because few researches have been done on this, more is needed on it (Mandell, Wiggins, Carpenter, et al., 2009).
References:
Barbaro, J., & Dissanayake, C. (2009). Autism spectrum disorders in infancy and toddlerhood: A review of the evidence on early signs, early identification tools, and early diagnosis. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 30; 447–459. doi:10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181ba0f9
Begeer, S., et al. (2009). Sex Differences in the Timing of Identification among Children
and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism Development Disorder, 43(5):1151-1156. DOI 10.1007/s10803-012-1656-z
Fountain, C., King, M. D., & Bearman, P. S. (2011). Age Of Diagnosis For Autism: Individual And Community Factors Across 10 Birth Cohorts. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 65,503–510. doi: 10.1136/jech.2009.104588
Johnson, C.P. (2007). Identification and Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. American Academy Of Pediatrics, 120(5); 1883-1215. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-2361
Mandell, D.S., Wiggins, L., Carpenter, L.A., et al. (2009). Racial and ethnic disparities in the identification of children with autism spectrum disorders. American Journal of Public Health, 99:493-498. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.131243
Shattuck, P.T. et al. (2009). Timing of Identification among Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from a Population-Based Surveillance Study. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(5):474-483. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e31819b3848.
