Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a health condition that affects many children. The first section of this paper provides an introduction to autism, including a general definition of the condition and a brief overview of its history. The second section, which is on statistics / epidemiology, provides relevant demographic data and statistics on risk factors associated with autism. The third section addresses the financial costs of autism, including costs to individuals, the U.S. government, and society. The fourth section offers an examination of the anatomy & physiology / etiology of autism, even though it is not currently well understood. The fifth section discusses the diagnosis / treatment / prognosis of autism in children. The treatment options that are discussed include both behavioral and pharmacological interventions. By examining these relevant topics, it is possible to gain a better understanding of the effects of autism within childhood development.
Autism is a condition that can significantly impact childhood development. Autism, also known at Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad spectrum of disorders that are defined by conditions that fall into three core categories: problems with social interaction, difficulties with communication, and repetitive behaviors (Autism Speaks, 2017). The severity of the symptoms in these areas can differ between individuals, and the combination determines where the child falls on the autism spectrum (Autism Society, 2016). Autism was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943 (Autism Science Foundation, 2017). Kanner hypothesized that autism was caused by bad parenting or other negative experiences (Autism Science Foundation, 2017). Since then, other theories for the causes of autism have been put forth, such as the notion that vaccines cause autism, which was popular in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, but was later disproven (Autism Science Foundation, 2017). Today, research is ongoing, but understandings of autism, its causes, and its impacts are greater than ever before.
Autism can affect individuals of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed during childhood (Autism Society, 2016). According to 2016 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 in 68 school-aged children have ASD (CDC, 2017). The estimated level of prevalence has not changed since 2010, but it is up significantly from the year 2000, when the CDC estimated that ASD only affected 1 in 150 children (CDC, 2017). Studies from other countries in Asia, Europe, and North America suggest that the overall average prevalence of ASD is between 1 and 2 percent (CDC, 2017). While autism has been observed in children from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups in the United States, ASD is 4.5 times as common in boys as in girls, affecting about 1 in 42 boys, as compared to 1 in 189 girls (CDC, 2017).
There are several factors that may increase a child’s risk of autism. For instance, if a child has ASD, the chance that their sibling will also be affected is between 2 and 18 percent (Autism Science Foundation, 2017). For monozygotic (identical) twins, if one twin has autism, chance that their twin will be affected is between 36 and 95 percent (Autism Science Foundation, 2017). Children are also at higher risk of ASD if they have older parents, were born prematurely, or had a low birthweight (CDC, 2017). In addition, autism is associated with a variety of other developmental disorders, with co-occurrence estimated at a frequency of 83 percent (CDC, 2017).
Autism is associated with significant financial costs. According to one estimate, the lifetime cost of caring for a child with ASD can be as high as $2.4 million (Autism Society, 2016). Every year, the U.S. government spends an estimated $90 billion dollars on autism-related activities and services, including research, insurance costs, non-covered insurance expensive, Medicaid waivers for autism, educational costs, housing, transportation, employment, therapeutic services, and caregiver costs (Autism Society, 2016). The medical expenses for a child with ASD are 4.1 to 6.2 times higher than a child without ASD (CDC, 2017). Additional behavioral interventions beyond standard medical costs can cost between $40,000 and $60,000 per child per year (CDC, 2017). Although there are no direct productivity losses associated with children who have ASD, there are often parental productivity loss due to the higher level of care required for children with autism (CDC, 2017).
The etiology of autism is not well understood. Researchers have found that the shape and structure of the brains of children who have ASD are different from those of children without autism (Autism Society, 2016). Although no single cause has been identified, autism is known to be associated with certain genetic conditions, exposure to viruses and chemicals, and metabolic imbalances (Autism Society, 2016). Scientific research into the pathophysiology of ASD is ongoing (Autism Science Foundation, 2017).
Autism can be diagnosed by a child psychiatrist, psychologist, pediatric neurologist, or developmental pediatrician (Mayo Clinic, 2017). There is no single medical test that can be used to identify ASD, so specialists typically use a combination of behavioral observations and tests to determine whether the child meets the criteria for autism, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (Mayo Clinic, 2017).
Autism is treatable, but there is no single ideal treatment method (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Treatment strategies are highly individualized, and they typically include a combination of home-based and school-based therapies (Mayo Clinic, 2017). These include behavior and communication therapies, educational therapies, and family therapies (Mayo Clinic, 2017). In some cases, a child may be prescribed a medication to reduce symptoms, such as antipsychotics for hyperactivity or antidepressants for anxiety (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Although a child will have autism for the rest of their life, effective management strategies can improve health outcomes (Autism Society, 2016).
In conclusion, autism is a complex health condition that involves communication problems, difficulties with social interactions, and repetitive behaviors, and manifests differently in different individuals. Today, autism affects many children in the United States and around the world, especially boys. There are significant financial costs to individuals, the government, and society as a whole. Although the causes and physiological aspects remain poorly understood, a variety of treatment strategies have been developed that can improve life outcomes for children who are diagnosed with autism. Researchers hope that ongoing research will further clarify the risk factors and physiological aspects of autism.
