Mental Disorders: Connecting The Puzzle Children

Connecting the Puzzle Pieces

Alissa Meyer

Stephens College

Connecting the Puzzle Pieces

Some children are unable to socialize and avoid eye contact when interacting with others. These children also have difficulty understanding what other people are thinking and meaning through their tone of voice and expression. In addition, they also have a tendency to bang their head as a form of self-abusive behavior. They may also perform repetitive behavior like rocking or twirling. These children are faced with an intellectual disability known as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. They show more characteristics besides the ones previously mentioned, have several causes, and several signs are used to diagnose these children. The definition

However, there are various factors that are suspected to cause autism. These factors are genes that affect brain growth, which happens to interfere with the regulation of brain cells and the communication they have with each other. Other suspected factors are environmental factors and having abnormal levels of serotonin and neurotransmitters in the brain. The abnormalities of the brain are shown through brain scans and there are differences in brain shape and structure with children who are diagnosed with autism than those who do not have autism. Researchers are continuing to find problems that may be triggering autism by investigating problems with pregnancy up until delivery, environmental factors, which can be viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to certain

Autistic children are often visual thinkers and there are different ways to help them as an educator. One way to help them is by providing pictures instead of words for assignments and assessment. This also includes not only the educator using pictures instead of words, but allowing the child to provide pictures instead of words when completing assignments and assessments. Another approach an educator can take to help these children is by avoiding lots of verbal instruction when giving directions. It is important to remember these children have a communication barrier and the less verbal instruction is more positive for them. Many ASD children have a common autistic talent and encouragement of that talent should be offered to these students. For example, a lot of children with ASD often show strengths in art, music, and math and so these talents should be encouraged for the child. Some children with ASD may need help with fine motor skills and control of their hands. These students should be able to type instead of write. Also, they may have a fear of loud noises and they should be protected from loud sounds and noises in the classroom as much as possible. Another way to help these students is to simply understand what they are going through and continuing to try different methods to help them with their