KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

Nation Religion King

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HOME WORK OF ENGLISH
CLASS: I2 10(A2)
GROUP: 06
Topic: AUTISM

Name of Students ID of Students Score

1.THAI Sokmean e20220755 ……….
2.THAN Sreynich e20221461 ……….
3.SRY Soheng e20220823 ……….

Lecturer: Ms. MEAS Phallin

Academic year 2023-2024

 Contents
Introduction ..........................................................................................3
Body .....................................................................................................6
Symptoms ..........................................................................................6
4.How to prevent ...............................................................................9
Can Autism Be Prevented? ................................................................9
References ..........................................................................................12

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I. Introduction
1.Meaning
What is autism?

Autism is a
neurodevelopmental
disorder that affects
communication,
social interaction,
and behavior. It is a
spectrum disorder, meaning that it affects individuals differently
and to varying degrees. Moreover, autism is also known as
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ‘Spectrum’ refers to the wide
range of characteristics, skills and abilities that different people
with Autism have.

This means that people with Autism experience differences

in the way they communicate and interact socially, and their
behaviour may be repetitive or highly focussed .No two people
are affected by Autism in exactly the same way. People with
Autism also tend to experience differences with their senses that
can affect the way they feel about and respond to their
surroundings. Autism is not a disease or illness.

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 2.History
The term autism was first introduced by Eugen Bleuler in his
description of schizophrenia in 1911.He is a Swiss psychiatrist. He
noticed that some of his patients exhibited a withdrawal from social
interaction, a lack of interest in others, and an inability to communicate
effectively. Bleuler believed that these symptoms were related to the
patients' underlying psychological condition, rather than a separate
disorder. It wasn't until the 1940s that autism was recognized as a
distinct disorder. In 1943, Leo Kanner, a child psychiatrist at Johns
Hopkins University, published a paper describing a group of children
who exhibited similar symptoms to those observed by Bleuler. Kanner
coined the term "early infantile autism" to describe the disorder.

Around the same time, Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician,

identified a milder form of autism that became known as Asperger's
syndrome. Asperger's syndrome is characterized by difficulties with
social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behaviors
and interests. In the decades that followed, researchers continued to
study autism and its causes. In the 1960s, researchers began to focus on
the role of genetics in the development of autism.

They found that autism was more common in families with a history of
the disorder, suggesting that there may be a genetic component to the
disorder.

In the 1980s, the diagnostic criteria for autism were revised,

leading to an increase in the number of children diagnosed with the

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disorder. This increase led to a greater awareness of autism and a push
for more research into the disorder.

❖ Summary of Autism History Timeline

Here's a timeline of some key events in the history of autism:

• 1908: Eugen Bleuler first uses the term "autism."

• 1943: Leo Kanner publishes a paper describing a group of
children with similar symptoms, coining the term "early
infantile autism."
• 1944: Hans Asperger describes a milder form of autism that
later became known as Asperger's syndrome.
• 1960s: Researchers begin to study the role of genetics in the
development of autism.
• 1980s: Diagnostic criteria for autism are revised and "autism
spectrum disorder" becomes the preferred term.
• 1991: The organization now known as Autism Speaks is
founded by Bob Wright and Suzanne Wright.
• 2009: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) reports that about 1 in every 110 children has been
diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
• 2010: Andrew Wakefield loses his medical license and is barred
from practicing medicine, following the retraction of his autism
paper.
• 2013: The DSM-5 combines autism, Asperger’s, and childhood
disintegrative disorder into autism spectrum disorder.
• 2014: The president signs the Autism Collaboration,
Accountability, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act
of 2014.
• 2020: The CDC determines 1 in 54 children have been
identified with an autism spectrum disorder.

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II. Body
1.Symptoms
The first signs and
symptoms of autism (also
known as autism spectrum
disorder or ASD) can vary
widely and appear at
different times. Some
people on the autism
spectrum show signs
within the first few months
of life. Others don't show
signs until much later.
Up to 12 months of age,
signs of autism can
include:
• little or no babbling
• little or no eye contact
• showing more interest in
objects than people
• appearing not to hear
when spoken to directly
• playing with toys in an unusual or limited manner
• repetitive movements with their fingers, hands, arms or head
• starting to develop language skills but then stopping or
losing those skills
Up to 2 years of age, signs may also include:
• very specific area of interest
• limited or no interest in other children
• behavioural issues like self-injury or self-isolation
• repeating words or phrases without appearing to understand
them
• difficulty with reciprocal social interactions (like playing
peek-a-boo)
• liking to have things a certain way, such as always eating the
same food

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 Possible signs of autism at any age can include:
• little eye contact
• distinct reactions to:
• Lights
• Tastes
• Smells
• Sounds
• Colours
• Textures
• very specific interests
• repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
• repetitive behaviours, such as spinning
• nonverbal communication or delayed language
development
• intense reactions to minor changes in routine or
surroundings
2.Causes
Progress has been made toward understanding different environmental
risk factors, and the clearest evidence involves events before and during
birth, such as:
• Advanced parental age at time of conception
• Prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain pesticides
• Maternal obesity, diabetes, or immune system disorders
• Extreme prematurity or very low birth weight
• Any birth difficulty leading to periods of oxygen deprivation to the
baby’s brain
But these factors alone are unlikely to cause autism. Rather, they appear
to increase a child’s risk for developing autism when combined with
genetic factors.

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3.Impacts
People with autism may have difficulty with communication and
social interaction; restricted interests and repetitive behaviors; and
inability to function effectively in school, work, and other areas of life.
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental
condition that affects how people process information from the world
around them. It impacts a wide range of skills, including:
➢ Social communication and interaction: People with autism
may struggle with verbal and non-verbal communication, finding
it difficult to understand social cues, body language, and tone of
voice. They may also have trouble expressing their own feelings
and needs.
➢ Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests: People with
autism often have strong interests in specific topics and may
engage in repetitive behaviors related to those interests. They may
also dislike changes in routine and prefer things to be predictable.
➢ Sensory processing: People with autism may experience
sensory input differently. They may be oversensitive to certain
sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or textures, while being under-
sensitive to others.
The impact of autism varies greatly from person to person. Some
people with autism may be nonverbal and require a lot of support, while
others may be highly verbal and independent. However, autism can
have a significant impact on a person's education, employment, and
social life.
Here are some of the ways autism can impact a person's life:
➢ Education: Children with autism may struggle in school due to
communication difficulties, social challenges, or sensory
processing issues. They may need extra support or specialized
instruction.
➢ Employment: Adults with autism may face challenges finding
and keeping a job due to social anxieties, communication
difficulties, or problems with organization.

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 ➢ Social life: People with autism may find it difficult to make and
keep friends due to social awkwardness or communication
problems. They may also feel isolated or lonely
Despite the challenges, there are also many strengths associated with
autism. People with autism may have:
➢ Strong focus and attention to detail: This can be an asset in
many jobs and academic pursuits.
➢ Exceptional memory: Some people with autism have a
remarkable ability to remember information.
➢ Creativity and innovation: People with autism may think
"outside the box" and come up with unique ideas.
4.How to prevent
Can Autism Be
Prevented?
Autism cannot be entirely
prevented or cured, but there
are ways that a woman can
reduce the chances of their
child being diagnosed. Although no cure exists at the moment,
researchers have found that specific actions can greatly reduce the
likelihood of it showing up after a woman gives birth. Autism spectrum
disorder is a disability that develops in the brain. It causes delays in
development, particularly regarding social functionality. About 1 out
of every 44 kids in the U.S. has autism. Women that are planning on
getting pregnant, or are in their prenatal period already, can look into
plans to not only reduce ASD showing up but deliver an overall healthy
baby. As such, medical experts have learned that issues with brain
growth can be seen very early during pregnancy, even during a
woman's second trimester. Beginning when the baby's conceived, what
a woman eats, takes, and even the way they feel can have an impact on
their child.

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How To Prevent Autism
Although psychologists
aren't entirely sure what causes
autism, they do know what actions
can raise the possibility of
diagnosis later in a child's life.
Genes play a big part in it. In some
exceptional instances, a child can
be born with birth imperfections if
the mother came into contact with specific chemicals during the time
that they were pregnant.
Here are some additional ways the risk of autism showing up in a child
can be reduced:
✓ No smoking, no drinking, no drugs
✓ Eat well
✓ Vaccinations:Some vaccines, such as MMR, have been studied
for their association with autism.
✓ Getting existing conditions treated
✓ Stay away from airborne chemicals
✓ Staying away from others who smoke
✓ Use caution when cleaning
✓ Maintain a relaxed environment

III. Conclusion
The exact cause of autism is still unknown, but research
suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors likely
play a role. Genetics are believed to be the biggest influence, with
some genes increasing the risk of autism. Environmental factors may
include exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy or
complications during birth.
Unfortunately, there is no current way to prevent autism.
However, there are steps expecting mothers can take to promote a

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healthy pregnancy, which may reduce the risk of health problems in
general for the baby. These include regular check-ups, a balanced
diet, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Vaccinations are also
important, as they can help prevent infections that could potentially
impact fetal development.
While autism cannot be prevented, early intervention services
can be very helpful for children with autism. If you are concerned
that your child may be on the spectrum, talk to a doctor to get a
diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

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References
https://www.autism.org.au/what-is-autism/
https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/autism/history
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
health/services/diseases/autism-spectrum-disorder-
asd/signs-symptoms-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd.html
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/auti
sm
https://images.app.goo.gl/QBkR3f5MgWErgrVU7
https://psychcentral.com/autism/levels-of-autism
https://cannondisability.com/blog/autism-benefits-for-
children/

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