Autism Awareness

Autism Awareness

        Emily Pickard, a retired clinical psychologist, is a well known advocate for the National Autism         Association who is known for her hard work and dedication which is shown in her article         “What Causes Autism”. Her article, written for individuals wanting to know or learn more about         autism, defines what autism is and some of the contributing factors that might cause autism.         Autism is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in         communicating and forming         relationships with other people and in using language and abstract         concepts. It is a theory that autism is caused from strictly environmental factors. These include         but are not limited to: Pesticide Exposure, Parental Age, Pharmaceuticals, Freeway Proximity,         and  Prenatal Vitamin Intake. The main argument about autism is whether autism is a genetic         disorder or whether it is caused by certain vaccinations. Emily states that “ Vaccinations can         trigger or exacerbate autism in some, if not many, children, especially those who are genetically         predisposed to immune, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions” (2). This article is extremely         important to my research paper because it debates both sides on whether autism is caused by         vaccinations/Environmental factors or if it is a genetic disorder.

Scott, Cameron. "Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism — So What Does?" Healthlines RSS News. Healtline,                 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

        Cameron Scott, a reliable researcher, who mainly researches for Healthline which is displayed         in the article “Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism So What Does?”. His article, written for interested         adults, explains why vaccines don't cause autism. Experts agree that, although the outward signs         of autism show up in toddlers just as they are getting a major course of vaccines, the condition         is most likely set by the time a child is born. The strongest  factors affect a baby before birth.         The genes linked to autism affect the  early development of brain circuits. Cameron states         “Much of the strongest evidence on which environmental factors can spur autism also focuses         on what happens to a fetus in the womb” (4). This article is the concrete block to my research         paper because it proves my point that vaccines do not cause autism.

Wang, Paul. "Are Children Born with Autism, or Does It Develop Later?" Autismspeaks.org. Autism         Speaks, May-June 2004. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

        Paul Wang, Autism Speaks senior vice president for medical research, is known for his accurate         research and proper diagnosis of individuals. Dr. Paul Wang's targeted audience is those who         chose to raise autism awareness. In most medical conditions, the underlying processes are         triggered before their signs and symptoms become obvious. Toxic exposures during pregnancy         and complications associated with delivery can disrupt brain processes before birth and shortly         afterwards. Mutations in the genes associated with autism can affect how the brain develops and         functions, starting well before birth. Even though the outward symptoms of autism may not be         apparent immediately after birth, the underlying brain differences are accumulating. Dr. Wang         stated “sometimes the brain can compensate to make up for the disrupted processes. Eventually         though, if the         disruption was sufficiently severe, the compensatory processes are no longer         enough, and symptoms emerge”(12). This article is a partial component to my essay because it         explains when someone gets autism and proves that autism is not caused by vaccinations.

Smith, Amy. "Autism Spectrum Disorder." NIMH RSS. National Institute of Mental Health, Dec.-Jan.         2011. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

        Amy Smith, mental health expert, displays her knowledge about autism in the article “ Autism         Spectrum Disorder”. Amy's targeted audience is anyone who would like to learn what autism         spectrum disorder is and what causes it. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by Persistent         deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts; Restricted,         repetitive patterns of         behavior, interests, or activities; Symptoms must be present in the early         developmental period; and Symptoms cause clinically significant         impairment in social,         occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. Some children are mildly         impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. Scientists don't know the exact         causes of autism spectrum disorder, but research suggests that both genes and environment play         important roles. Scientists have only had some success in finding exactly which genes are         involved. Amy claims, “Most people who develop Autism Spectrum Disorder have no reported         family history of autism, suggesting that random, rare, and possibly many gene mutations are         likely to affect a person's risk” (32). This article is imperative to my research project because it         explains how someone gets autism and what the symptoms of autism are.