Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects the ability to communicate and interact. Individuals with this disorder process faces differently and this emerges early in development. The New York Times article titled, “What Causes Autism?” talks about different risk factors that are associated with autism. Autism runs in families and there are certain genes that increase the chances of the disorder. There are also certain mutations that could lead to autism. Scientists have identified around hundred different genes that once mutated could cause ASD. The article further talked about different environmental factors that could also lead to ASD. For instance, the use of S.S.R.I could trigger ASD as it affects serotonin which is found in high levels in autistic people. Since autism runs in families having had a previous child with ASD could increase the risk of having another child with the disorder. Additionally, males are three times more likely as females to have the disorder. Overall, these risk factors do not mean that one will get the disorder and autism is very rare with only 1.8 percent of the children in the USA have it.
In the article “Neural correlates of face processing in etiologically-distinct 12-month-old infants at high-risk of autism spectrum disorder” researchers examined neural correlates of face and object processing in twelve month old infants with high risk ASD with FXS versus ASIBs. They recorded the Event-related potentials to familiar and unfamiliar face and toy stimuli. The results showed that controls expressed greater potentials to new stimuli whereas infants with FXS exhibited opposite patterns and kids with ASIBS did not differentiate between different stimuli. These results show differences in facial specialization across infants with high and low risk for ASD.
Even though there is no cure for autism, being able to diagnose it earlier can help people reduce some of the symptoms of autism. There are certain therapies that kids with this disorder can enroll in which can help them participate in typical activities. Both of the articles talked about the risk factors involved with autism. The first article talked about the genetic and the environmental risk factors involved with autism. Whereas, the second article talked about the differences in facial specialization that are associated with autism. If we pay close attention to these risk factors, we can be more prepared to help children suffering with autism. I am looking forward to learn more about autism and where the research regarding ASD goes in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment