Applied Behavioral Analysis with Autistic Children essays

Applied Behavioral Analysis with Autistic Children essays Autism is a severe developmental disorder, which if left unchecked, can usually progress to developmental disabilities at a young age. The causes of this disorder are largely unknown. It includes genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms may be present from, or even before birth, or appear gradually or suddenly after two or more years of apparently normal development. There is some evidence of alerted neurotransmitter levels; some children show slight physical changes, such as the shape of their ears; there is a strong correlation with maleness and non-rightandedness; and there is correlation with certain genes. (www.autismbook.com) There is a one in nine chance that a child will have autism. Early symptoms may include grossly delayed language or motor development; atypical play; such as spinning, lining up, staring at or feeling toys; lack of peer play or friendships; pronounced fears, crying fits, sleeplessness, or noise sensitivity. (www.autismresources.com) Some autistic children may develop some skills early, such as the ability to recognize letters and signs. People think that children with autism are withdrawn; this is a misconception some autistic children are withdrawn but some children are perfectly friendly with the proper social and communication skills taught. Older children may develop aggressive, hazardous, a self-injurious behavior to such a degree that they need institutional care. Most children develop language, but it is consistly echoed words and phrases. If I were to say what is your name? The autistic child would echo what I have said and say, what is your name. There is strong evidence that many or even most children with autism are actually able to learn as much as typically developing children, when they are given the right environment. Most autistic children have what people call learning blockage. (www.autismtoday.com) No one really understands why autisti...