Hypersensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders essays

Hypersensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders essays Hypersensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders Brents mother was concerned. Brent was one year old, had nearly begun to speak a few words and was progressing quite a bit below what should be expected of him, but he was Mamas little man just the same. By the time he was one and a half he still never really made eye contact with his mother or father, but sometimes things take time, right? Soon Brent was two and seemed to be regressing more than progressing, but some kids are like that- hell learn, right?. Then, one day Brents mother walked into the kitchen and saw Brent sitting in the floor rocking. This behavior seemed odd to Brents mother, but whatever made Brent happy was ok. Eventually Brent would love to spend hours at a time rocking in the floor, sometimes waving his hands in front of his face. Brents mother was extremely concerned. Her child had autism. A neurological disorder that impairs communication, social interaction, and the use of eye contact among other things (Diagnostic). Autism spectrum disorders occur in approximately four out of every 10,000 children in the U.S. and is the third most common developmental disorder in the U.S. affecting over 500,000 people (Autism). Autism is so prevalent that even politicians have jumped on the bandwagon in attempting to educate parents and fund research programs to fight against the rising number of children diagnosed each day (Breaux). Autism, however is not a new phenomenon sweeping the nation. It has been present in our society- and given a name since around 1943 when Leo Kanner wrote a paper titled, Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact. He first depicted people with autism by saying they suffer from an inability to relate to themselves in the ordinary way to people and situations from the beginning of life. This statement appears to be very true, but what are the underlying causes ...