Autism and Dementia
Description of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dementia
Behavioral Criteria for Autism and Dementia
The Incidence Rates and Causes
Options for Treatment Based on Theoretical Models
Description of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dementia
Autism Spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder which is essentially a brain dysfunction that has the potential to affect emotion, learning ability and memory that gradually comes to light as an individual grows up. This is generally evident in children and sometimes, if undetected and untreated, can manifest in adults also. Autism Spectrum disorder can include brain dysfunctions due to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Down syndrome and intellectual developmental disorder. In modern medicine, Autism and ADHD are also considered to be Autism Spectrum disorders (http://aadmd.org, 2015).
The root of autism seems to be in the very early brain development. Since it is a brain developmental condition that becomes prominent as an individual continuous to grow up, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. While there is no absolute cure for autism, it is widely accepted that relatively normal development and reduced undesirable behaviors can be achieved through appropriate behavioral management measures. It is also a fact that individuals affected by autism have a normal life expectancy.
Dementia is generally describes as a brain condition where there is a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life of an individual. It is a condition of the brain that tends to impair the ability of individuals with respect to their cognitive abilities like memory functions, problem solving capabilities and general perception about things around.One of the manifestations of dementia is memory loss and Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia while the second most common form of dementia is Vascular dementia which occurs after a stroke. A wide range of symptoms that are associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday is generally referred to as dementia.
Behavioral Criteria for Autism and Dementia
There are several discernable behavioral criteria for autism. One of the most significant behavioral criteria for autism is impaired social interaction. Autism is generally inherent in an individual and develops as the individual continues to grow. Therefore the characteristics of autism develop and become discernable gradually over time. Such characteristics of impaired social interaction can include indications such as being unresponsive to people or concentrating focus intently on one item and excluding of other items or functions for considerable periods of time. In time, it is noted that individuals with autism gradually withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement.
The characteristics are further accentuated by non-reaction to social engagement, individuals often become unresponsive to their names and often avoid eye contact with other people, have difficulty in interpreting and understand social cues and lack empathy. One of the indicators of the disorder is the inability to become coherent with a group or participate in group activities. There can also be some form of obsessive behavior and sometimes self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging. As side effects of autism, individuals can develop tuberous sclerosis, epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder (http://aadmd.org, 2015).
The behavioral characteristics of dementia can include a number of cognitive dysfunctions of the brain but essentially should include at least two core mental functions related to memory recall ability, communication and language problems, ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgment ability and ability to create the correct visual perception.
The specific characteristics of dementia can include impaired everyday simple activities like problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood.
Many of the characteristics of dementia are progressive as they begin slowly and gradually get worse. Hence one can ascertain a dementia condition if an individual experiences memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills.
The Incidence Rates and Causes
The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring wing of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder. The report states that this disorder occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups (CDC - Facts about Autism Spectrum Disorders - NCBDDD, 2015). The prevalence is more common among boys (1 in 42) compare dot girls (1in 189). An average prevalence rate of 1% of the population has been identified to have autism as concluded from...
Psychopharmacology Website: www.bap.org.uk The British Association of Psychopharmacology (BAP)(n.d.) is a scholarly society and enlisted philanthropy. It advances exploration and instruction in psychopharmacology and related zones, and unites individuals in the educated community, well-being administrations, and industry. Shaped in 1974, it is the biggest such national relationship in Europe, and the second biggest in the world. The website has a lot of different content available that would help me in my coursework.
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