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Amaiyah Moyer

English IV.

Mrs. Wilson

November 21, 2017

Awareness of Autism

Thesis: Autism Spectrum Disorder or Aspergers syndrome is a disease that more people around

the world need to be aware of. More people should learn more about Autism and how it affects

the autistic children and their families because there is an increasing amount of people who are

diagnosed with Autism which requires knowledge about the disease in order for people to be able

to interact correctly with autistic kids.

I. General Information
A. Background
B. Types
II. Symptoms
A. Severe
B. Mild
1. Self injury and Epilepsy
2. Advanced communication skills and academic abilities
III. Areas of the Brain affected/ What Causes Autism
A. Reduced Connectivity
B. Increased connectivity
IV. Daily life for people with Autism
A. Kids and their obstacles
V. Employment for people with Autism
A. Employment Opportunities
B. Things that could improve
VI. Reasons for awareness
A. Examples
VII. Initiatives Towards Awareness
VIII. Visual Representations of people with Autism in Movies or TV shows
IX. Conclusion
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People learn new things everyday in order to help them perform everyday tasks, and

communicating correctly with others is an essential part of learning. Many people have a more

difficult time expressing how they feel or communicating just as people with Autism spectrum

disorder have. Autism spectrum disorder or Aspergers syndrome is a disease that more people

around the world need to be aware of. More people should learn more about autism and how it

affects the autistic children and their families because there are is an increasing amount of people

who are diagnosed with Autism which requires knowledge about the disease in order for people

to be able to interact correctly with autistic kids.

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Autism is a widely misunderstood disease that is often overlooked and is not as educated

about how to get along or co-exist with people that have ASD or Aspergers syndrome. Autism

spectrum disorder or ASD, is a developmental disorder characterized by persistent problems in

social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior,

interests or activities (Interactive Autism Network). People with Autism have a hard time

speaking or communicating their needs and wants with others. ASD is a developmental

disability, that usually shows signs during early childhood (Autism Society). Autism can affect

any child, but it is most common in boys. Signs can be shown as early as twelve months, with

babies that do not babble (Iowa Department of Education). If the baby does not babble or

interact with anyone, the baby already shows signs of Autism by not not babbling because

babbling is a babys way to communicate. Children with Autism may be sensitive to touch,

certain smells, loud noises, temperature extremes, and even certain colors (Dallas). For example

if a child with Autism were to go to a basketball game, he or she would anticipate the buzzer

going off and stick their fingers in their ears. The child may even have a meltdown and want to

leave because he or she cannot take it. A normal person may get a scratch or touch something

warm, and continue their day as nothing happened. If either one of those things happened to a

child with Autism, he or she would have a totally different approach. Autistic kids would feel as

if was a deep cut or an extremely bad burn when in actuality it is not. People with Autism have

different reactions to everyday tasks or things that people without ASD or Asperger's Syndrome

do.

Autism makes children perform repetitive activities as in, memorizing certain songs,

movies, or television shows (Iowa Department of Education). They also have to have a daily

routine and will become upset and have a meltdown if there is a change in any way, shape or
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form. A meltdown usually consists of crying, self-degrading comments, and they are extremely

hard to calm down. For example they may call themselves stupid or hit themselves repeatedly.

Autistic children are known for their social awkwardness that keeps them from speaking or

knowing exactly what a person means when the person uses sarcasm. Children with autism

oftentimes have difficulty with social interaction, communication, and behavior. Autistic patients

also have difficulties in the real world, the more regions disconnected, the more challenge the

patients have with social skills (Dallas). Autism is often times overlooked as being a learning

disability due to Autistic children being intelligent with social issues. In a study, using an

advanced form of MRI researchers were able to examine different areas of the brain. The boys

with Autism had reduced connectivity in the social-emotional processing parts of the brain

(Dallas). Though most Autistic children cannot communicate on the level that they are supposed

to, does not mean that they cannot communicate at all. People with Autism can talk and

communicate, but it all depends on who and what they are comfortable with.

Kids who grow up with Autism have many obstacles to overcome if they want to live a

happy, independent life. Autism is a spectrum disorder which means a childs symptoms can

vary from mild to severe (Iowa Department of Education). Kids who have mild Autism are

verbal, and will generally talk with others about things that the kids themselves like. Those with

severe Autism are typically non-verbal but also have unique talents and skills (Dallas). Even if a

child has severe or mild Autism there are negatives to each diagnosis. Some parents think that

they have overcome mild Autism because their child is making excellent grades in school, and is

able to communicate but most times the child speaks at a level in which is much younger. For

example, the child may be twelve years old but communicating on a six year olds level. Severe

Autism works differently but also has its pros and cons. Severe Autism is often when the child
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cannot speak at all and has trouble with other people, but at the same time the child is great at

artistic things. Classic features of any Autism is decreased eye-to-eye gaze, and the decreased

ability to read facial emotions (Dallas). There are many theories behind what causes Autism but

there is no known cause of Autism. The main theory about the cause of Autism is that it is

produced by vaccines that are given to children when they are babies (Iowa Department of

Education). All babies should continue to receive their vaccines no matter what the theories say

about Autism because there is a small chance of a baby having autism, yet a large chance of a

baby becoming sick due to diseases. There is also no cure for Autism, research has shown that

with early treatment and therapies, a child with Autism can live a happy, productive, and

independent life (Iowa Department of Education). As long as the child is content with

themselves and the people around them, life for them is great.

People with ASD or Aspergers Syndrome are often misunderstood by people that are not their

peers or family who understand what certain things mean or represent.

Individuals with Autism need other people to understand and be aware of what Autism is

because people will more likely be accepting, and understand why autistic people behave in a

certain manner. It is not fair for someone with ASD to be singled out and questioned just because

they see, and react to things differently than people without Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. In a

video published by NBC News, there was an incident where a fourteen-year-old male was

walking around a park waiting for whoever was watching him to come out and was arrested due

to suspicion of the young boy doing drugs. The video shows the teen telling the officer he's

"stimming" which is a type of behavior described as calming, or dealing with their nervous

ticks. Next the officer roughly grabs him and puts the young boy in hand-cuffs as the boy says

Im OK. The caretaker shows up and says Hes stimming , and the officer replies and says
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I dont know what that is. If the police officer was more aware of what Autism or ASD was he

would not have basically attacked the young man for minding his business and simply walking

around playing with a string. If it was a person without ASD or Aspergers Syndrome in the park

doing something that kept them calm like, being on their phone, the cop would have never

stopped them to see if they were doing something to harm themselves or others. The family has

threatened a lawsuit, and wants an apology from the officer and "a mandatory training program

that gives its officers the tools necessary to help distinguish between autistic and other

developmentally-disabled people, and common drug abusers." (NBC News). Often times it is

people of the family pushing for more awareness because people who do not understand ASD do

not care to learn more about it. Being aware of ASD and knowing how to communicate with

them is vital so that they are treated with respect as well as ultimately everyone being safe.

The issues with people with autism having jobs is that people expect things from them.

While there are many spectrum individuals for who have the opportunity to work or fit in with

normal everyday jobs, no one wants to admit that a working environment is often directly

incompatible with what makes Autism, Autism. Most people refer professionalism as behaving

a certain way. So if autism is defined and diagnosed by noticeable behavioral differences, then

this shows that people in America employing others are not trying their best to make sure that

there is equal opportunity for everyone. The unemployment rate for people with Autism

Spectrum Disorder is very extensive. Over the last five years, many new non-profits (and for-

profits with consciences) have formed to answer the 75-85% unemployment rate endured by

adults on the autism spectrum (Carley). When people with Autism do not have jobs , it causes

many problems for their families and the economy. If most people with Autism do not have jobs

it forces them to be dependent on their family, and their familys money. All due to people not
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understanding and being aware of Autism , and ultimately making changes to benefit them as

well as everyone surrounding them. The economy could be affected in a positive way because

more people would have jobs which equals more money spent, and basically having a better

economy.

More people should be aware of ASD or Aspergers Syndrome because autism is more

prevalent than what is was years ago. Now More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism

spectrum disorder (Autism Society). Since there are so many people with ASD or Aspergers,

there should be a bigger emphasis on educating people about autism. Prevalence has increased

by 6-15 percent each year from 2002 to 2010. (Autism Society). According to this source,

Autism is more common than it was in the previous years so since there are more people with

ASD that means even more people will be affected by it on an everyday basis. People eventually

if not yet will be encountered by someone with Autism and it is important for the person with

ASD as well as the person without it that as much of information possible about Autism is

known so that things do not take left turns and go places that they should not. Autism is not so

much of a disease but rather a different way of thinking. Often times children with Autism are

growing up in a loud, confusing, scary, different world.

Despite the lack of awareness for ASD or Aspergers Syndrome, there are some

initiatives towards the disease that exist. One of the most popular ASD awareness examples is

Autism Awareness Month. Each year during the month of April, individuals and organizations

across the globe celebrate Autism Awareness Month with events to educate local communities

and raise public awareness about autism (Autism Resources and Community). April 2 is Autism

Awareness Day; however, people who are closer and want more time to show awareness for

autism use the whole month of April. Many groups around the world hold runs or walks to show
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support for ASD or Aspergers. Events such as the runs or walks help raise awareness by having

people come out and walk which is a fun event that mostly everyone can participate in. Another

way awareness is shown for ASD is the color blue. As part of Autism Speaks Light it Up Blue

campaign, wear blue on April 2 to show your support during Autism Awareness Day. (Autism

Resources and Community). This campaign is also an effective initiative because this gives a

chance for people that do not know about the walks or smaller events, to participate. According

to Autism Resources and Community, last year over 11,000 buildings joined the campaign.

Puzzle pieces are the global symbol of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is the most common and

the most debated. Some people believe that the puzzle piece is offensive because it implies that

autistic kids are not whole. Others believe that it is a great way to interpret autism because it is a

huge mystery that has yet to be solved. Even though there are some initiatives towards making

ASD more aware, there could be more improvements on it so that people can know how to

correctly interact with them.

Movies and television shows are a very impactful initiative towards Autism Awareness.

When people are given visual examples of how people with ASD or Aspergers Syndrome are,

and how they live they can relate better. Examples of a well known movie that has an autistic

character is Rain Man. In the movie Rain Man it shows how dependent people with autism are

on their family, and people around them but at the same time shows other things that he is good

at. According to Stuart Murray, both Rain Man and Mark Haddons novel, The Curious Incident

of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003), served as foundational explanatory markers of autism for

different generations,... fictions that almost achieved the status of sociological documents in the

ways they engaged in a zeitgeist moment. This movie received a lot of recognition and awards,

which helped to greater achieve awareness for Autism. Another example of Autism in the media
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is the television show Atypical, which shows a young, teenage, autistic boy go through high

school. Throughout the show there are everyday complications that he has to overcome because

people do not understand him and are often times mean. By the end of the first season, the young

boys mom found a way to appeal to everyone at the school and the parents in order to help him

have a silent dance with headphones so that the young boy does not have to be at a loud dance,

but also be comfortable enough to attend. People should be more aware of how they treat people

with circumstances different from the ones that they are in.

In final consideration, it is important for kids and people in general to become as

understanding and empathetic as they can be towards people with Autism. People should learn

more about Autism and how it affects the autistic children and their families because there is an

increasing amount of people who are diagnosed with Autism which requires knowledge about

the disease in order for people to be able to interact correctly with autistic kids. Autistic people

have unique take on the world that can be fun, and educating. They can encourage people to have

a better appreciation for sounds, smells, or art that would normally just pass everyone else by.

People should learn more about ASD and learn more from people with ASD in order for there to

be an all around understanding for people to get along with each other and coexist as human

beings with feelings and desires to be accepted. All people deserve a chance to be by themselves

and have the chance to grow up to be happy and have their own things going for them.
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Works Cited

Activities of Daily Living. Interactive Autism Network, Interactive Autism Network at

Kennedy

Krieger Institute, 5 Dec. 2013,

iancommunity.org/cs/challenging_behavior/activities_of_daily_living.

"Autism." Iowa Department of Education Early Childhood Services Bureau (2010): n.

pag. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

"Autism Speaks Inc." How Is Autism Treated (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

<https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/documents/100-day-

kit/treatment_version_2_0.pdf>.

Bodycam Video Shows Police Officer Detaining Autistic Teen He Mistakes For Doing

Drugs. NBC News, 19 Sept. 2017, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/parents-demand-

answers-after-autistic-boy-held-ground-officer-n802801.

Dallas, Mary Elizabeth. "Different Areas of Brain Affected in Autism, Sensory

Disorders." Medicinenet (2014): n. pag. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

<http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=179777>.
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Carley, Micheal John. THE EMPLOYMENT SHIFT: RETHINKING AUTISM

EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES. The Art Of Autism, 13 Apr. 2017, the-art-of-

autism.com/the-employment-shift-rethinking-autism-employment-initiatives/.

Danforth, Laura. What Is Autism Awareness Month? Autism Awareness Month: The History

and Today, Autism Recources and Community (ARC), 1 Apr. 2017,

blog.stageslearning.com/blog/autism-awareness-month-the-history-and-today.

Densmore, Ann. What If the Diagnosis of Autism Is Wrong? Psychology Today, Sussex

Publishers, 31 Aug. 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/blog/listen-the-kids/201508/what-

if-the-diagnosis-autism-is-wrong.

"Iowa Department of Education Early Childhood Services Bureau." Autism (2010): n.

pag. Web. 12 Dec. 2016. <https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/Parent-

Factsheets_April2010_Autism.pdf>.

Miller, Caroline. "Child Mind Institute." Why Autism Diagnoses Are Often Delayed

(n.d.): n. pag. Web. 12 Dec. 2016. <http://childmind.org/article/why-autism-diagnoses-

are-often-delayed/>.

What Is Autism? Autism Society, Veracity Media, www.autism-society.org/what-is/.

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