Autism Outline

OUTLINE FOR THE REPORT
What is AUTISM?
Autism is an umbrella medical term used to describe a person with a group of
neurological conditions. Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain
development that affects how a person perceives and socializes with others which causes
problems in social interaction and communication.
Prevalence
Current estimates of prevalence of autism spectrum disorders are in the range of 1/54 in
the US, with similar ranges in other countries. Autism is about 4 times more common among
boys. In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders,
partially because of changes in diagnostic criteria.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum
disorder is often diagnosed in boys rather than in girls. Children often show symptoms of ASD
within the first year and then go through a period of regression between the age of 18 to 24
months of age.
People with ASD may also have a diagnosis of:

 Autistic disorder. Autistic disorder refers to the difficulties with social interaction,
communication, and play in children younger than 3 years of age.
 Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger’s syndrome refers to children who do not have
problems with language and tend to score in the average or above-average range on the
test of intelligence. People with Asperger’s syndrome have social problems and have a
narrow scope of interest.
 Childhood disintegrative disorder. These children show typical development for at
least 2 years and then lose their communication and social skills.
 Pervasive developmental disorder. These children show delays in social and
communication skills, but do not fit into another category.
Causes
The exact cause of autism spectrum disorder is unknown and the most current research shows
there’s no single cause.
Some risk factors are suspected of ASD include:

 Having an autistic immediate family member
 Genetic mutation
 Fragile X syndrome and genetic disorders
 Born by older parents.
 Low birth weight
 Metabolic imbalances
 Heavy metal and environmental toxin exposure
 History of viral infection of the mother
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
A person with autism spectrum disorder may affect social communication and interaction skills
which may be challenging for a person with this disorder.
Examples of social interaction and communication characteristics related to the autism

spectrum disorder include:
TREATMENT
There is no known cure for patients with autism spectrum disorder, for some patients with ASD,
supportive therapies and other considerations can help the patient feel better and decrease
certain symptoms.
 Behavioral therapy
 Play therapy.
 Occupational therapy
 Physical therapy
 Speech therapy
NURSING MANAGEMENT
Management of autism depends on the type of autism and the severity of symptoms. For
instance, mild types of autism such as level 1 autism spectrum disorder can be managed
through behavior modification or social training while individuals with Rett syndrome would
require more substantial support like physical or occupational therapy.
Some forms of autism require behavior modification and other additional support. You may be
required to change your child's diet to avoid preservatives, gluten, and artificial sugars. Another
example is adding food coloring to different foods in a meal to encourage your child to improve
their visual skills as they eat. Your family doctor will guide you on the specific treatment options
that will best serve your child.
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of autism involves several screenings, evaluations, and genetic examinations,
which may include:
 Developmental screenings.
Other screenings and tests. The physician may recommend a test for autism including:
 DNA testing for genetic diseases
 Behavioral evaluation
 Visual and audio tests to rule out issues with vision and hearing that are not related to
ASD
 Occupational screening therapy
 Developmental questionnaires
References: Phn, A. C. R. B. (2022). Autism Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan.
NurseStudy.Net. https://nursestudy.net/autism-nursing-diagnosis/

Autism Outline

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Autism Outline

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Autism Outline

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

OUTLINE FOR THE REPORT

People with ASD may also have a diagnosis of:

Some risk factors are suspected of ASD include:

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Examples of social interaction and communication characteristics related to the autism

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.