Essay Sample on Autism: A Developmental Disorder Characterised by Unique Behaviours

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that is characterized by impaired social behavior, poor communication and language, and a narrow range of interests and activities that are unique to the individual and are done repetitively. Despite the fact that Autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is usually considered a developmental disorder since its symptoms are often realized at the early ages of a child. Patients of Autism also present conditions such as; epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Autism spectral disorder can be diagnosed and treatments are given to the patient so as to improve their ability to function and suppress some of the conditions accompanying it. However, these individuals do face a lot of challenges such as loneliness, lack of friends, and little support from the community making it hard for them to cope. They always have a rough time trying to 'fit in' to the daily routine, they get anxious when they cannot comprehend what is going on around them, and also feel frustrated trying hard to express their feelings and concerns about certain things.

In their attempt to run away from these stressing situations, they develop a behavior that will make them appear odd and strange compared to other people around them. This circumstance forces the autistic to isolate themselves from the 'world' and often tend to be housebound, a factor that has a negative impact on their social life and emotional configuration in general. This also lowers their self-esteem, and confidence which does not allow them to take part in many social, educational, and other life experiences that normal people go through. In such a situation they could easily develop mental health problems. As they keep growing into an adolescent, and youth stage, they may encounter difficulties coping up with their peers for they are often bullied, and harassed.

In their adulthood, life does not offer them opportunities like the ability to acquire a job or live independently since they lack social skills. This ends up in the autistic sticking around parents, and siblings their entire lifetime. Moreover, this condition affects the entire family with siblings not having the confidence of socializing with people out there, owing to the fact that one of them is disabled. Parents also face a couple of challenges raising autistic children, and end up being depressed and have a heavy burden placed upon them to raise these kids. Financial problems kick in due to the high costs of treatment and regular hospital visits, and sometimes one parent has to sacrifice their work so as to tend these children.

Despite the fact that autism brings about a lot of difficulties to the autistics, family, and friends are often there to offer emotional, and physical assistance. Family and friends are the first people to respond after diagnosis and are often the only ready source of help one can need. Some people might not respond quick enough to help because they do not understand what it is all about. Sometimes, parents and siblings get frustrated and fail to evaluate how to cope with the situation, how to be strong and, manage their emotional attitudes towards handling the diagnosis.

Parents to these children should provide safety to the autistic and develop a mode for teaching them some things. The child's safety can be achieved by marking out a private section for them in the home where they can relax and, feel safe. Some will need to be bounded within as their behavior may be violent or prone to self-injuries. The parents in the aim to teach the child should be very consistent as autistics often find it hard to reproduce what they have learned in one setting to another. If a parent decides to teach the child on communicating using sign language, then that should be the norm. Parents also have the task of rewarding any positive aspect of the child's daily routine. Praising autistics when they do good things will make them want to do more good for more praises.

Parents should also make time for fun and play with their autistic children. Often autistics express more of their feelings and develop bonds through activities that make them feel happy. Therefore parents have to spare some of their time off duty to chill, play and make fun with these children. This will also help the parents to evaluate the things that their autistic child finds enjoyable and those they hate so that they can be careful in the future.

Siblings, on the other hand, should learn to accept the autistic as one of their own and show love for them. They should not feel embarrassed about them and should be comfortable in playing or having fun with the autistic. At times, siblings find it hard to spend time with their autistic sibling since they may appear to lack interest in the whole thing, but instead, the healthy ones should try and find or device ways they could interact with the autistic. For instance, they can get an activity to involve the autistic in and have fun together. They could all possibly device ways to ensure that the entire family is happy together. That feeling of acceptance is what does it all, accepting the diagnosis and appreciating it by not feeling bad is the first thing that will build a friendly environment within the family.

To ensure a good sibling relationship, parents should ensure their children understand the condition clearly and this will help them understand how to connect with their autistic sibling. This will also encourage a tolerant heart in the child where they can understand their brother or sister no matter what they have done.

On the other hand, friends to the family are tasked with supporting the family of the autistic. These families are often affected by depression, financial problems, and withdrawal from the community. However, as a good friend to the family, one should receive the news of the diagnosis with respect and maybe recommend some better treatment facilities you have previously known. Friends could also spend time together with the family and the autistic, for this will at the least enlighten them and make them feel that they are still a part of the community because these families often feel isolated.

Friends could also offer a helping hand whenever. One may offer to collect groceries for the family, stand in for them when they are not around, and also watch over the autistic sometimes. Moreover, friends to the autistic should learn to accept the situation of their friend, and learn how to cope with it. They ought to ensure that they do not isolate them, and always work towards making them feel better and calmer. This can be achieved by looking for sensory sensitivity in the autistic so as to know what they like and what they don't.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having an autistic child in any family is really a big challenge. This is because they require a lot of attention to bring up and since it is not common, these families always feel resented and isolated. This is because it requires the family to swiftly change their behavior and make the needs of this child a priority, family-centered, and require their strength as a whole. Moreover, autistics not only need medical attention so as to feel better but also the love and care from those around them. This love soothes the heart and makes one feel accepted in society. It will help reduce the tension in the autistic and remove the feeling of isolation.

The most important thing, however, is how to avail information to parents to children with autism. This is where friends and the community at large come in to offer a helping hand to the family. It is also wise to consider regularly seeking medical attention since it helps reduce some of the conditions that accompany autism.