autism descriptive essay

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Why Autism Awareness is Important

Categories: Autism Psychological Disorders

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The experiences of families raising autistic children: A phenomenological study

Farzad faraji-khiavi.

1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Health Services Management, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Mansour Zahiri

Elham amiri.

3 Department of Rehabilitation Management, Rehabilitation Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Behnaz Dindamal

Narges pirani.

4 Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND:

Conditions and needs of autistic children have impacts on both the children and the family members who have crucial roles in raising the child. The prevalence of autism is increasing, and this fact makes it necessary to focus more on experiences of parents who have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hence, this study aimed to reflect the experiences of parents who have autistic children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study was a qualitative research with phenomenology approach which was conducted using content analysis approach. Participants were 14 parents with ASD children in Ahvaz, and they were included based on purposive sampling method. To gather the required data, semi-structured interviews were formed. Data analysis was performed by Colaizzi's seven-step method.

Fifty-four conceptual codes were extracted from interviews of ASD children parents. Parents of these children had two main experiences: first family related and second education and treatment problems. Family problems included three categories (financial, psychological, and family relationships). Education and treatment was categorized into three (schooling, transporting, and quality in facilities).

CONCLUSIONS:

Problems mentioned by parents of autistic children highlight the need for providing training and counseling services as well as emotional supports from both society and government. Planning and implementing supportive plans empower parents to strategically face problems and eventually improve their life quality and mutual understanding.

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of pervasive developmental disabilities known as the most prevalent, serious, and yet unknown disorders during childhood.[ 1 , 2 ] Children with ASD are identified by a range of problems in their emotional, physical, and interactional skills, daily routines and playing, language development and natural speech, as well as imitative ability.[ 3 ] ASD symptoms typically are apparent within the 1 st year of age; however, certain clinical diagnosis does not happen before age three.[ 4 ] Although there is little information about the certain cause of ASD,[ 5 ] some studies have found that ASD etiology is not just characterized by a unique factor instead environmental and genetic risk factors, or a combination of both factors, play roles in ASD etiology, however, just recently it is agreed that ASD is mostly caused by genetic factors.[ 6 ]

In the last two decades, the prevalence of ASD has remarkably increased.[ 7 ] It is estimated that ASD prevalence in 2014 was 2.24% which showed three times more than 2000 estimation.[ 8 ] In Iran, ASD prevalence among 5-year olds is estimated at 6.26 in 10,000.[ 9 ]

ASD can be seen among all races, ethnics and across all socioeconomic groups. The prevalence of ASD among boys is four times higher than girls,[ 10 ] but in girls, ADS is more comorbid with some diseases like epilepsy.[ 11 ] Increasing prevalence of autism requires more focus on experiences of these children's parents.[ 12 ] Special needs and conditions of autistic children influence not only the child but also family members who play roles in child development.[ 13 ] Families with ASD children are facing a wide range of stressful and challenging conditions such as unexpected disabilities, child's harmful behaviors, and behavioral disorders, difficulty in getting services, dilemmas in finding an effective treatment, and finally, restricted and dull interaction with other members of the society.[ 14 ]

The most stressful factor that parents with autistic children have experienced is limited acceptance of autistic behavior by society members and failure to receive social support.[ 15 ] Lack of such supports increases parents' stress level.[ 16 ] A fairly large number of studies confirm that mothers of autistic children face more challenges than mothers of other children with special needs, and have lower cognitive well-being[ 17 , 18 ] as well as suffer from more stress.[ 19 ]

A child with ASD may lead to several negative effects; parents feeling guilty, mothers quitting jobs to take care of the child, a low marital life quality, parents' depression and isolation feelings due to lack of time to spend for their personal needs.[ 20 ] In addition, these disorders also insert financial burden on families to cure and rehabilitate children.[ 21 ] In Asian countries, the cost of treatment and care for such children is about 70% of an officeholder.[ 22 ] It is obvious, without instructing and supporting families, their resources (money, energy, time, and spirit) may decrease day by day.[ 14 ]

Based on what went on, identifying ASD parents' problems and needs is crucial due to the impacts of ASD on children and their families, increasing prevalence of the disease, and the fact that autism is a lifetime disorder. Furthermore, Khuzestan province and its capital city, Ahvaz, is one of the autism centers in Iran, yet no comprehensive study has been done on these issues. Therefore, this study was conducted for the first time in Khuzestan province, although it was previously conducted in some other provinces of Iran. Considering multicultural context of this province, high prevalence of ASD, and scattered ASD centers, this study aimed to reflect the Experiences of families with ASD children in Ahvaz.

Materials and Methods

This study was a qualitative research with phenomenology approach which was conducted using content analysis approach.

Participants

Participants were 14 parents with ASD children in Ahvaz. Participants were included based on purposive sampling method, and they were added until data saturation point was obtained. Inclusion criteria were: living autistic child with family, the ability to speak Persian, and consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria also included: The family has another autistic child and the child has another physical or mental illness.

Data collection

To gather the required data, semi-structured interviews were formed. Participants answered questions such as: “Do you have financial problems because of your child's illness?” “Do have affected care of your child on marital status?” or “Do you have depressing during in this time?”. The time and place of the interviews were confirmed by the participants; in average, each interview lasted for 90 min ranging 60–120 min regarding each participant's condition. They were informed about the aims of the study, and participants' consent forms were collected. All the interviews were recorded and completed during 3 months (September 22 to December 20, 2018).

Data analysis

All the interviews were transcribed by two of the researchers; the data were analyzed through seven-step Colaizzi's method. (1) Manuscripts of interviews were read several times by research team, (2) Significant statements which were directly related to research subjects were identified, (3) Relevant meanings were extracted and formulated from significant statements, (4) Identified meanings were clustered into categories and themes, (5) An exhaustive description was developed about experiences of families with autism children (6) Fundamental structure of the studied phenomenon was produced, and (7) Fundamental structure verification was sought through asking participants about final categorizations.[ 23 ]

In addition to check the trustworthiness of the data Lincoln and Guba's four-criteria (credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability) was used.[ 24 ] The validity of findings increased by means of Investigator Triangulation.

Ethical issues

When the study received ethics code (IR.AJUMS.REC.1397.591) from the Research Ethics Committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, the researchers were introduced to associated places (ASD care centers, clinics, and households of children with ASD). The participants were informed about the aims of the study and confidentiality of interviews.

The following sections present information related to participants' related demography as well as main themes and sub-themes.

Participants' demographic information

Participants' ages ranged from 20 to 40. They all had office jobs. Half of the parents had two or three kids. Most of them had average and above-average financial status.

In this study, six subthemes were extracted from two main themes based on parents views and included family problems (financial problems and resulting obstacles, parents' psychological and mental problems, marital problems and siblings' relationships), ASD children's education and treatment (problems related to autistic children's education, parents and children transportation problems, and clinic-related problems). Codes (conceptual units) related to each theme are presented in the following table.

Family problems

Totally, parents of children with ASDs mentioned 27 problems which were classified into three subthemes of financial problems and resulting obstacles, parents' psychological and mental problems, marital problems, and siblings' relationships [ Table 1 ].

Family problems in experienced life of Autism spectrum disorder children parents

ASD=Autism spectrum disorder

Most parents mentioned high treatment prices as the most serious problem. Sometimes treatment process was negatively influenced because they could not afford to pay it. Some complain of the costs and insurance policies: “Costs are absolutely pressing us, insurances just cover some parts of the treatment cost” (Participant 3). Other parent mentions a point: “The costs are too high. We have to cut off our other costs to pay for the treatment. We do not spend any more for ourselves; we cannot” (Participant 6)! Another parent limits services as much as possible: “To tell the truth, I cannot afford to send him to speech therapy class; I do the training at home” (Participant 2).

All participants had experienced stress and anxiety feelings. Some of them believed they cannot be happy anymore due to current concerns. Such depressions affected some parents so deeply that they could not pass denial phase. In addition, suicide intention was mentioned by some other interviewees. Some parent feels he even does not have time for himself: “Most of the time I feel depressed but I never had time to visit a psychologist” (Participant 3). Other one remembers: “It is difficult for his mother to accept her child's disease. When our son was two, she was under treatment for her depression” (Participant 7). One of interviewees basically denies problem in public while worries for his wife as well as himself: “I hate the name autism. Wherever I go they say it's autism. I say no. My child has delay in language. My wife is depressed. She says “I want to kill myself.” If I had not stopped her, she could have killed herself. One of my colleagues had a sick child. She went to a psychologist. She got pills. After a while her hands had tremors. I got scared. If I go to a psychologist, I will be affected to” (Participant 5).

Respondents believed child's disorders ended in emotional distance between parents and problems in marital life. Most mothers said they spend all their time and energy for their child with ASD and they have nothing more to spend for the typically growing child such as: “Most of my time is for this child (the autistic one), I have no time to play with the other one” (Participant 3). Some forget about their simple daily jobs: “Anyway, when I am doing my child's daily routines, I lose concentration. Well, for example, after a while you cannot iron your husband's clothes” (Participant 1), While they cannot take a break: “My husband says leave one of the children with me, and you and the other one go to your mom's home for a month, but I am scared to do it” (Participant 5).

Education and treatment problems

Twenty-seven problems were identified as education and treatment problems of children with ASD including problems related to autistic children's education, parents and children transportation problems, and clinic-related problems [ Table 2 ].

Education and treatment problems in experienced life of autism spectrum disorder children parents

As children with ASD have certain stereotypes, and their learning requires more time compared to typically developed children, parents reported problems related to ASD children's education. Although some parents mentioned the need of having a school for ASD children, some parents believed that such schools prevent children from learning social communication skills. A participant says: “I registered him in a private school. After 20 day teachers asked me to go to school. They said your son does not sit on his chair in the class and distracts other students. If he has problems take him to a psychologist” (Participant 5). Other parent recalls: “Once I took him to the kindergarten, the staff didn't let him in. They said your child has stereotypical behaviors. Other children may learn negative behaviors from him. In case of other families notice this, they will not bring their children to this kindergarten; as a result, we have to close the kindergarten” (Participant 3). A mother does not believe in special schools: “In an autism school, it is not possible for children to learn how to communicate with others because all of them are autistic children. Moreover, my child will learn other negative stereotypical behaviour like screaming” (Participant 1). Finally, we can hear from some other parent: “I do not allow my child go to a school where autistic children go. I will pay more money if I have to but I take him to an ordinary private school, because public schools do not register them at all” (Participant 7).

One of the problems that parents of children with ASD suffer from is transportation. Parents were dissatisfied with school buses which are over full. Some other mentioned restlessness and disquiet of the child in the buses as the other problem. A parent mentions: “My child does not sit in the bus. He is restless. Other mothers ask me: what is wrong with your kid? I don't send my child to school by bus because I have seen how drivers are treating children, it is very improper. In addition, kids are piled in the bus about twice of its capacity. All of these kids are aggressive; and I cannot send my child with them, no way. As a result, I have to get a taxi; and it is expensive” (Participant 3). A mother has a point: “As long as his speech has not improved I won't send him with strangers, because they may mistreat him or hurt him and he cannot tell me. There are things in Tehran (the capital city) that you cannot find here. There are special advantages in parking places for parents of ASDs children. I was fined several times because of parking place” (Participant 6).

Another point that parents mentioned was improper conditions of the clinics. Almost all participants were dissatisfied with quality of services in the clinics. Some complained trainers: “His tutors shout at him, this causes the child suffer from personality problems in the future. You have to search a lot to find a good-tempered tutor” (Participant 2). And others were expecting more from related facilities: “I am not satisfied with the facilities, neither private nor public facilities provide appropriate services. They don't have dark rooms. For such children they should have at least one dark room” (Participant 3), or: “It is very crowded here and children have behavioral problems. Once I suggested them to provide a playing room. So we can stay over there with our kids, when kids are restless. As a result, our children do not make noise and cause problems for other classes (and they did nothing)” (Participant 6). At last they try to compare it with other cities: “Compared to Tehran and other cities, Ahvaz facilities are in poor conditions. Hydrotherapy and play therapy places are very limited. The child's conditions do not improve in these contexts” (Participant 5).

The first problem that parents of ASD in this study suggested was financial problems. Studies have concluded expenses of families for children with ASD are up to three times more than typically developed kids as well as mentally and physically disabled children at the same age.[ 25 ] For participants, treatment costs and lack of insurance support were the biggest financial challenges. Sharp argues in his study that even if insurance companies cover medical tests related to diagnosis, they never pay for therapies for behaviors.[ 26 ]

It is suggested that financial supports from government and charities address such families, As Koohkan et al . found in a qualitative study, the role of various charities is very significant in access to financial support for families of sick children.[ 27 ]

In addition, providing a more comprehensive insurance coverage may reduce the total financial burdens of the families. Among all mental conditions that parents mentioned depression, anger, inability, suffer, and guilty feeling were the most repeated. The results of Poretemad et al . show that mothers with autistic children experience higher parental stress levels and this increases their anger.[ 28 ] As a response, it is suggested that autism schools and clinics may help families of children with ASD to face their conditions via setting training courses for decreasing psychological pressures, training effective confrontation, training life skills, and at the end managing anger as well as stress.[ 29 ] Dadipour et al . Also considered necessary the role of training courses and counseling for the mental health of families and their coping with the problems of the sick child.[ 30 ]

One of the results of the present study about the marital conditions of parents was couples' intention to divorce. Tensions of raising autistic children, and their behavior problems, increase the possibility of divorce.[ 31 ]

In line with the results of this study, Hartley et al . found that divorce rate among parents with autistic children is twice as much as it is for parents with normal children.[ 32 ] It seems provision of family consulting can help to restore and develop parents' relation.

Going to school can be considered as the beginning of a new kind of partnership between children with ASD and their parents to deal with special needs of family.[ 33 ] The results of the present study revealed lack of enough autism schools and low educational quality in these schools are pressing problems for training autistic kids. According to Balance et al ., parents with ASD children are always concerned about lack of necessary educational and health services in autistic schools.[ 34 ]

Another identified problem for parents in this study was using public transportation systems for autistic children and their presence in public. Although parents mostly pointed that conditions in other cities, namely Tehran, the capital, are better for children with ASD, the results of previous studies done in Tehran also suggested public transportation as one of the problems.[ 15 ]

It seems that allocating school buses and experienced drivers for transporting these children would be effective if required standards were considered, so that both parents and children benefit from relatively peaceful environment in vehicle as well as safety and security of the conditions. Parents questioned the poor quality of the services presented by the clinics. Ahmadi et al . in 2011 compared the needs of families with ASD children in Iran and Canada. Based on their study, there were three most common needs in special children's families: continuous services, professional expertise, and professional understanding.[ 35 ] These three and other needs in ASD remind us the crucial role of service quality in ASD children. It seems some comprehensive clinics need to be considered and established to provide a wide range of services for special children to meet their needs. Quality development programs may drive these facilities in delivering effective services along with other aspects of quality.

It is obvious that most of the identified problems and needs are not merely related to health field but address other sections; hence, health strategies do not solve the problem by itself. That is, problems, challenges, and meeting the identified needs and expectations of parents of children with ASD require multisector communications and cooperation.

Limitations of the study

Among the limitations of the present study was unwillingness of some families to mention their experience and problems. To encourage them to interview, the interviewers explained that their cooperation and participation may greatly help to identify their problems and try to solve them. In this way, they cooperated more consciously. Furthermore, this study was done in centers of Ahvaz; hence it needs to be cautious to generalize the results. Indeed, qualitative research may not be generalized. Similar research needs to be conducted in other provinces of Iran, then through a meta-analysis reveal the experience and general problems of these families for metropolitan and health policymakers.

Conclusions

Parents of ASD children had two main experiences: first family related and second education and treatment problems. Family problems included three categories (financial, psychological, and family relationships). Education and treatment was categorized into three (schooling, transporting, and quality in facilities). Health policymakers and other stakeholders need to support these families at least in three contact points: at home, school, and ASD facilities. Problems mentioned by parents of autistic children highlight the need for providing training and counseling services as well as emotional supports from both society and government. Planning and implementing supportive plans are necessary to empower parents to strategically face problems and eventually improve their life quality and mutual understanding. Considering the wide range needs of these families, it takes a multisector cooperation in order to provide them proper services and alleviate some of the burdens for families with ASD children.

Financial support and sponsorship

This study was financially supported by “Social Determinants of Health Research Center in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran (Grant No.: SDH-9717).

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgment

The research team appreciates managers of autism centers, instructors, and parents who helped to conduct this study. This study approved by Research Ethics Committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (Ethics Code: IR.AJUMS.REC.1397.591).

Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 1–7 Cite as

Writing Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Amy Accardo 2 &
S. Jay Kuder 2
Living reference work entry
First Online: 12 December 2019

158 Accesses

Writing is a means to communicate and express ideas, thoughts, feelings, and information. Writing interventions refer to effective and evidence-based instructional practices used to support individuals in developing varied elements of writing including but not limited to letter formation, handwriting, length of writing, sentence structure, and quality of writing. Writing interventions often target specific genres of writing including but not limited to descriptive writing, expository writing, narrative writing, and persuasive writing.

Historical Background

The topic of writing interventions and students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was not widely considered prior to the twenty-first century. Preceding the enactment of legislation in the 1970s, students with disabilities were denied access to general education. In 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was signed, mandating the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all programs that receive federal...

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Accardo, A., Kuder, S.J. (2020). Writing Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102456-1

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102456-1

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Published : 12 December 2019

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The Great List of Autistic Essays

I’m a late-identified autistic who loves writing about autism. How much do I love it? I’ve written over 150 essays on it in the past six months alone.

How do I think of so many autistic topics to write about? I’m an art therapist who specializes in late-identified autistic adults. That means I not only have my personal experience to draw from, but also the hundreds of hours spent listening to my clients.

I share most of my essays here on Medium, which means it has now become quite the library. In an effort to make my essays more accessible to those wanting clear, relatable information about late-identified autism in adults, I’ve sorted my essays into topics below. While I wish I could provide a link to each of them for you… I’ve got to prioritize my time and energy. So if a specific essay interests you, just pop it into the search and it’ll come up

Autism in a Neurotypical World

What Would a World Designed by Autistic People Be Like

The Harm in "They're a Little Autistic"

Autism Does Not Directly Cause Socializing Problems

Please Trust My Lived Autistic Experience

Can Someone Please Create a Neurodivergent Intentional Living Community

What if I Accept that Most Neurotypicals Won't Like Me

How Neuro-Bias Shows Up in Professional Testing

Your Autistic Experience Sounds Just LIke my Neurotypical One

Neurotypical Words that Don't Work for Autistics: Overachiever

But Neurotypicals Experience That, Too!

Neurotypical Norms That Don’t Work for Autistics: Hustle Goals

The Fear of Being a Hypocritical Autistic

Neurodiversity: Us vs Them?

How to Meet an Autistic Adult Exactly Where They're At

Autism Characteristics

The Autistic Mind Loves to Take Detours

4 Reasons Why Autism Symptoms Lists are Confusing

My Autistic Brain: Sunshine and Detours

The Joys of Being Autistic: Part 1

Stop Saying Autistic People Can't Empathize

Redefining Fun for Autistic Adults

9 Reasons Why Autism Looks So Similar to CPTSD

We Need More Depictions of the Interior Experience of Autism

Clarity is What my Autistic Mind Craves

How Trauma and Autism Can be a Confusing Mix to Decipher

Why am I like This? Understanding the Autistic Brain

My Autistic Mind Does What it Wants

The Dissociated Autistic Performance State

The Joys of Being Autistic: Increased Creativity and Innovation

My Autistic Memory Is Not the Same as Others

The Firehouse Dilemma: Autism and Infodumping

The Variability of the Autistic Sensory System

5 Reasons Autistics are Especially Hard on Themselves

The Shame That Often Accompanies Autism

Knowing You’re Different as an Autistic Adult

3 Reasons Autism is Worse After You Learn You're Autistic

Disability and Internalized Ableism

I Had to Dismantle My Fear of Autistic People

Is Autism a Disability?

I’m Ok With Saying I have a Disability, Right?

Dog Training

The Difficulties of Adjusting to a New Dog When You're Autistic

Tips for Adjusting to a New Dog When You're Autistic

5 Tips to Integrate a Dog into Your Autistic Life

Defining and Explaining Autism

What I Wish Others Knew About Autism

Let’s Drop the “Disorder” From Autism Spectrum Disorder

How Low and High Autism Labels are Misleading

We Need All the Autism Theories and Models

Autism Can Be a Murky Thing To Understand

How I Explain Autism to Someone Unfamiliar With It

What is Late Identified Autism

Autistic Statistics are Not Accurate for Late-Identified Autistics

I'm Here for the Autistic Awakening

How It Helps to Know You’re Autistic

Why It Matters to Know You're Neurodivergent

What is Neurodiversity and Why Does it Matter

How Neurodivergent Acceptance Can Improve Our Lived Experiences

How Unidentified Autistics are Taught to Socially Camouflage and Mask

Is There a World Where I can Be Unmasked?

The False Dichotomy of Masked and Unmasked Autism

6 Reasons Why UnMasking Is Harder Than it Sounds

What if You have to Mask Everywhere?

My Personal Experience as an Autistic

Hating Cooking as an Autistic Adult

I Make Giant Lists About Autism for Fun

The Challenges of Writing Publically About Autism

The Risk of Sharing my Autistic Passions with Others

I'm Reclaiming Weird for My Autistic Self

I Expand and Then I Contract

I Stopped Seeing Myself As Broken When I learned I was Autistic

Respecting my Limits as an Autistic Business Owner

I Need to Lessen the Pressure on my Autistic Self

My Autistic Brain Doesn’t Want to Watch TV Right Now

Embracing Who I am as an Autistic Adult

I Used to be a Very Judgemental When I Didn’t Know I was Autistic

A Letter from An Autistic Adult to Trust

Don’t Get So Upset: A Line that Doesn’t Work for This Autist

Why This Autistic Writer Didn't Respond to Your Comment

Relationships

Is Dating Worth it as an Autistic Adult?

Is it Possible to be Happily Partnered as an Autistic Adult?

Not Liking People as an Autistic Adult

Self-Identification

So You Think You Might Be Autistic

Dearly Newly Identified Autistic Person

Am I Actually Autistic?

Dearest Smart, Weird, and Caring Autistic

I Am Deeply Unsure About Autism

How to Self Identify Autism as an Adult

When the Past Makes Sense after a Late-Identification of Autism

Where to Start When You First Learn You’re Autistic

6 Strategies to Harness the Hyperfocus Power of an Autistic Mind

Leave the Gremlin In the Cave: Self-Isolation as a Necessary Autistic Tool

No Plans Days as an Autistic Tool

Making Accommodations for Myself as an Autistic Adult

How Many Accommodations Can We Ask for as Autistic Adults?

Using Art to Help Your Autistic Mind

Dissociation as an Autistic Tool

The Power of the Home Environment for Autistics

Is It Ok to Honor My Autistic Needs?

Recognizing When It's Not Time to Make Decisions as an Autistic

Therapy for Autistics

Dearest Autistic Client of Mine

8 Ways Therapy Can Help With Late Identified Autism

Gaslighting the Autistic Experience

Dearest Therapist Who Knows Barely Anything About Autism

I'm an Autistic Therapist: Sometimes It's Easier Than Everyday Life

Does Your Therapist Know Enough About Autism to Help You?

Questions to Ask a Potential Therapist When You're Autistic

How I Work with Newly Identified Autistic People

What to Ask When You're Seeking Therapy for Late-Identified Autism

12 Ways Therapy Can Enhance Life for Late Identified Autistic Adults

Therapy is Not for Fixing Autism

The Harm I Caused When I Didn't Know about Autism

A Newly Identified Autistic Therapist Working with Newly Identified Autistics

Common Therapy Advice That is Counterproductive for Autistics

A Therapist Told Me Treating Autism is Like Treating Depression

Who Can Diagnose Autism in Adults?

Autistic Adults Deserve Better from the Mental Health Field

Undiagnosed Autism

The Correlation Between Intelligence and Undiagnosed Autism

10 Consequences of a Life with Unidentified Autism

The Gap Between “Diagnosable Autism” and a Lifetime of Unidentified Autism

Autism Diagnosis Criteria are Limiting for Men Too

No Autistic Should Receive a Diagnosis Letter Like Mine

Identifying Autism in Undiagnosed Women Abstract

How I Identify Autism in Undiagnosed Women

Autistic Stereotypes Block People From Knowing They're Autistic

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165 Autism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Struggle with writing a research paper topics on autism? We’ve got your back covered! Below, you will find a list of 147 topics about autism as well as autism research paper examples!

🏆 Best Research Autism Topics & Essay Examples

👍 good autism essay topics, 💡 psychology research autism topics to write about, ⭐ simple & easy autism essay titles, ❓ research questions about autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Autism is a serious disorder that has the potential to disrupt the success of people living with it. This is to mean that the theory of causation regarding autism is not complete as yet.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Child At the moment, M.is more verbal with his parents and siblings and reacts adequately to them, especially in repeated day-to-day situations.
“Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph Over Autism” by Catherine Maurice The book was published in 1994, and it was a success as parents of autistic children were waiting for someone to prove that autism was not an incurable disorder.
Autism and Educational Process Owing to these adverse effects that can stem from autism and the shear prevalence of the condition in the country’s population, a lot of research effort has been dedicated to the early diagnosis and treatment […]
How Christopher’s Autism Affect His Life In spite of the fact that the issue of autism is not clearly explained in the story, the condition of the narrator is referred to as high-functioning autism or Aspersers Syndrome on the cover of […]
Autism. Sensory Integration. Tactile Desensitization The poor development that is recorded at the early stages in life is likely to affect the development of different skills by the individuals even in the adult stages The signs that are associated with […]
Analysis of Children Autism in “The Black Balloon” It is imperative to note that Charlie’s emotions are not regulated and as such, manifest in immature behaviors such as flapping of his hands.
Inclusion Curriculum for Children With Autism In the given paper, the issue of children autism, the developmental issues that autism triggers and the educational prospects for children with autism are going to be considered.
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Family Impact One of the greatest fears of a parent with such a child is the fact that such a child would be taken care of until the advanced stages of their lives.
Language Development Problems in Children: An Indicative Characteristic of Autism This is because it is a time when it is expected that a majority of the kids should be able to talk.
Reducing Off-Task Behaviors Using a Token Economy System in Children With Autism Token economy is a strategy of positive reinforcement that can be provided to children in the form of tokens for completing the assigned tasks.
Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism The primary subject of this study is applied behavior analysis while the secondary subject is applied behavior analysis and its effects on autism in children.
Impact of Autism Disorder on Adolescents This essay discusses the impact of autism disorder on adolescents in the community and a nursing intervention that can be used to assist adolescents in becoming prominent society members.
Progression of Reading Ability in a Child Diagnosed With Autism The battery of assessments and interviews with parents on the participant’s socialization and early reading ability indicates the study applied the Psychometric and Social Contextual approaches.
Analysis of Behavior of Preschool Age Child With Autism The child’s behavior in the video differs from that of a mentally healthy child, and these differences lie in the child’s other emotional state and degree of interest in talking to people.
Autism and Disability Advocacy People with autism can contribute to the diversity of disability culture by expanding understanding of what disability is and how it can be accepted.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis According to DSM-5, to fit the diagnostic criteria for ASD, a child must have evident deficits in three major areas of social communication as well as 2 out of the 4 restricted or repetitive behaviors.
Thinking in Pictures: Autism and Sensory Problems The chapter “The Squeeze Machine: Sensory Problems in Autism” in Grandin’s Thinking in Pictures presents a series of life perspectives of various individuals, including her own, regarding the sensory problems they experienced. They postulated that […]
Therapeutic Programs for Children With Autism in K-12 Institutions In the paper, the gaps in the research of effective treatments for children with ASD are explored, after which the efficacy of a multi-system aquatic therapy and standardized equine-assisted therapy program is argued.
Societal Issue Research Project: Autism Spectrum Disorder The first factor is the significant risk that the genetics of siblings who had ASD diagnosis will increase the chance of the disorder.
Child-Centered Play Therapy and Autism The purpose of the discussed research was to investigate the effects of CCPT on the sample of children with autism, establishing and describing the connection between CCPT and social and emotional growth.
Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Training Program for Caregivers The latter means that many caregivers take care of children with ASD, hence the importance of equipping them with the necessary skills for effective and smooth parenting and coping with various difficulties.
Autism Spectrum Disorder’s Impact on Child’s Learning In regards to the public-school setting, standardized testing demands youngsters to grasp and react to spoken as well as written communication at an anticipated pace and level.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders The purpose of my study is to discover which of these methods is more accurate, with the reason being the importance of early diagnosis of ASD, which leads to better treatment outcomes.
Autism and Related Cognitive Concepts It has been suggested that children with autism show a general deficit of cognitive skills in multilevel planning and in the regulation of behavior.
Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder In fact, bullying as a social phenomenon can be characterized as a social and interaction issue; therefore, it is possible to analyze the connection between autism and acts of bullying and inappropriate behavior.
Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorder Overall, for children with autism spectrum disorder, it is quite complicated to learn the norms within society around them, as they are having difficulties comprehending other people’s emotions and behavior.
Face Emotion Recognition in Autism Phenotype One critical aspect of social communication is the capability to apprehend the emotions and intentions of another person. In conclusion, Autism Spectrum Disorder makes the interpretation of facial expressions difficult.
How Does Having a Child With Autism Affects Parents’ Lifestyle? The creation of a system of psychological, pedagogical and social support can reduce the risk of a complete family life dedication to a child with autism.
Misrepresentation of Autism in the ‘Music’ Film While the film was not centered on the topic of autism as its message, the stereotype-heavy portrayal and a lack of research make it a harmful piece of media.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence and Impact in Society It has therefore been impossible to determine the level of increase in autism cases that is as a result of improved diagnostic measures and that which can be attributed to the real increase in autism […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis, Impact, Treatment The main diagnostic element for ASD is the evidence of difficulties, either in the present or past, which are different across the age groups.
Autism and Vaccination Refusal Management Among Somalian Parents Somalian parents in their community in Minnesota refuse from their children being vaccinated, as they believe that vaccination causes autism.
Everyone Has the Power to Effect Positive Change Within the Autism Community This paper presents what is autism, how every one reacts to the problem, what is the difference between the rich and the poor in their response towards the problem.”Autism is one of five developmental disorders […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Key Points The requirement to meet these needs is supported by the fact that the rate of students with ASD is high: according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than 83 per cent of […]
“Theoretical Aspects of Autism” by Helen Ratajczak On the whole, it is possible to say that the standards set by Austin Hill cannot be always met, in part because the physiological aspects of this disease have not been fully investigated.
Dr. Temple Grandin’s Argument on Visual Thinking and Autism A more in-depth analysis of visual activities can reveal the all imagery can be mentally processed and modified by children so that images are rotated and analyzed to make the brain map expand.
Intellectual Disability: Autism In their adulthood, and because of the communication issues that most individuals with autism tend to have, they will naturally have difficulty in finding and keeping jobs.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Children With Autism On the positive side, it fastens the production of different types of reactive oxygen used in the body. It is arguable that the size of the samples used in the study was small.
Occupational Therapy for Children With Autism The main reason for the appearance of autism is the disturbance of the development of the patients brain which results in the appearance of various symptoms.
The Mitochondria and Autism – Results and Main Function The results are important in health because children with autism were more probable to have dysfunctions and abnormalities of the mitochondria such as over replication and deletion of mitochondrial DNA compared to those without the […]
Autism Etiology, Symptoms, Beliefs, and Management To date, debate on the cause or etiology of autism still remains divided, with extant literature demonstrating that “although many hypotheses have been proposed, a singular or specific combination of causes has yet to be […]
Quantitative Assessment of Neuromotor Function in Adolescents With High Functioning Autism: Critique The study authors did not give the benefits and/or risks associated with the study participation. The authors indicated that the ZNA was appropriate for collecting the data because it could measure the 11 parameters of […]
Critical Appraisal on the Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders on the Family: A Qualitative Study of Mothers’ Perspectives The study researchers established the significance of the study by outlining the social and financial implications of taking care of children with ASD.
Autism: External Forces, Causes and Treatment The increasing prevalence of Autism in the United States and across the world is attracting great attention from the healthcare sector to design critical programs tailored to stem the disorder in terms of prevention, treatment, […]
The Importance of Services for Children With Autism The plea of the majority of Americans for the reverse of healthcare budget allocation is well because it is wrong to interfere with services offered to children with autism. With childcare initiative in place, the […]
Autism: General Information and Treatment She argues that the treatment of autism is through scientific proven medication that aids in controlling aggressive behaviors and that Trisperidone is the commonly used antipsychotic.
The Issue of Autism: Task-Group Project The role of B.N.in the meeting can be seen as a summarizer, providing a summary of the minutes of the previous meeting.
Concepts of Autism and Williams Syndrome The disorder manifests itself in the early years of a child’s life, with long-lasting effects that are not curable but controllable and easy to deal with on condition that, the concerned parties take the necessary […]
Autism Programs to Enhance Students’ Outcomes In addition to social and behavioral challenges, ASD typically hinders a learner’s ability to gain and process the necessary academic information.
Autism Program’s Impact Across Contexts In other words, a detailed overview of the issues that administrators face when designing the program and which the teachers have to deal with when addressing the needs of children with autism must be carried […]
Autism: Teaching Plan for Taking All the Features Into Account For the first child, caregiver training was done at child’s bedroom, and for the second child it was done at living room, and for the third child with severe mental retardation it was carried out […]
Education Considerations for Students With Autism Two articles under consideration consider the opposite views regarding the education of students with autism; on the basis of the information obtained from these articles, it can be stated that none of the perspectives is […]
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnostic Procedure In general, this journal is very interesting and it is an important contribution to the development of appropriate screening and identification procedures for children with ASD.
Developmental Psychology: Autism and Vaccination Vaccination of infants is widely used today as the pattern of endemic diseases can be explained in terms of interplay of social, physical and biological factors in an area that is conducive to a continuous […]
Social Work Methods to Treat the Child Who Is Suffering From Autism This is a clear indicator that alcohol intake by the family is costing the members and it is an issue that needs to be looked into.
Proposal for the Organization of the Concert in Autism Support The paper will be focused on the organizational aspects of the autism support concert and the people to be invited to this meeting attendance.
The Development of Autism Analysis The paper will disclose the interviews of this famous and significant person whom managed to give all her efforts to the development of autism charitable programs and contribute to autism support all over the world. […]
Autism and Immunization: Vaccines and the Changing Epidemiology The interest and attention invoked by this paper were largely due to the fact that it appeared to provide a biological means through which MMR vaccine resulted in autism.
Do Vaccinations Cause Autism in Children? Autism is defined by the Autism Society of America as ” a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first 3 years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects […]
Autism. Child and Family Assessment The other common disorder associated with autism is that of mutism whereby it also lies under the category of speech disorder and in many cases it is difficult to be diagnosed and at the same […]
Autism and False Belief in Psychology The theories are found to be covering the deficits of an individuals’ mind and factors relating to autism, research further indicates that a child’s behavior may be influenced by the executive functions this, therefore, brings […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Interventions However, the negative side of it is that such an intervention is limited to those patients who are verbal and have limited vocabulary.
Autism: Methods of Diagnosing and Treatment Analysis A malfunction in the neural circuitry of the brain of those with autism is the likely cause of their perceptions regarding social interaction and lack of adequate cognitive abilities.
Autism: Symptoms, Forms, Diagnostic Instruments Autism is basically a developmental disorder of the human brain that its first symptoms are initially manifested in infancy and it follows a steady cause without relapse.
Mercury, Vaccines and Autism: One Controversy, Three Histories In due course of time, the emergence of organomercurials as effective agents in combating bacterial contamination of vaccines slowly resulted in the research on and inclusion of thimerosal, a white crystalline powder in the form […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder Features in Children One of the causes for the appearance of these issues is an inborn disability that might presuppose the need for specific methods to educate a child and guarantee a chance for integration with society.
Autism Occurrence by Measles Vaccine Status The organization of information in the text follows a logical format by introducing the background for the vaccine, incorporating the issue of ASD connection, and leading up to the primary research question.
Parental Report of Vaccine Receipt in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder In the introduction, which is the first section, the study’s research problems and their significance to nursing are stated. The discussion section covers how the authors relate the findings to the research objective and the […]
Teenagers With Autism Disorder Autism is seen as a spectrum disorder since its severity and symptoms vary greatly among affected individuals – from mild and occasional to persistent and interfering with all aspects of life.
Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders on Life However, between the ages of two and three, his lack of verbal activity and inability to “echo” simple sounds and syllables were found to be very concerning by the family.
Risperidone in Children With Autism: ANOVA Article The variables used in the article are sufficient for the investigation, and they would not be changed. The study authors assume that risperidone and placebo treatments would have significant variations in the mental abilities of […]
Autism Should Not Be Viewed as a Disability A good example is that the treatment of autism as a mental disorder makes it possible for pharmaceutical companies and clinics to invent new health systems or procedures that will meet the needs of the […]
Autism Spectrum and Features of Health Conditions Nevertheless, the manifestations of the autism spectrum also depend on the intellectual abilities of the person and his or her age.
Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder For instance, the researchers have reviewed the findings by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Government Accountability Office to present the statistics on children with ASD and the increase in the number […]
Autism: Main Symptoms and Research Major symptoms of the disorder are repetitive behavior, abnormal communication development, and motor skills development. Major symptoms of autism are repetitive behavior, abnormal motor skills, and communication development.
Autist Student’s Behavior and Remedial Plan In the process of reading, I would pay attention to the student’s concentration and ability to integrate what she was reading. She also took long in doing this and did not want to stop the […]
Autism Treatment, Its Methods and Results It was appropriate to focus on the use of the DSE intervention and examine if addressed most of the challenges facing many ASD patients.
The Physiological Impact of Autism on Children and Parents It is possible to speak about the physiological impact of ASD on children and their parents in the UK, and the detailed examination of this issue is required. To review the literature on possible barriers […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Programs Effectiveness The purpose of this PE, therefore, is to evaluate and analyze the efficiency of the programs implemented by the Day Support Services.
Autism: Characteristics, Prevalence and Interventions The symptoms of autism are noticeable in the early years of childhood. Occupational therapy is one of the non-educational interventions used to assist kids with autism.
Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders The main goal of this paper is to present a review of relevant literature addressing the issue of helping college students with ASD prepare for workforce readiness and job placement.
Autism Treatment Network in the PEACE Program In order to use these resources in PEACE, it is necessary to establish a budget that will cover expenditures on training courses for specialists involved in the program, educational materials, seminars, and individual counseling.
Association Between Vaccination and Autism The study examined whether there is a link between the toxic effects of exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines and the risk of developing ASD.
Olfaction and Autism Spectrum Disorder Relationship These findings reveal that the sniff test can reveal both the presence and severity of ASD in young children. The link between ASD and olfaction can be used in diagnosing young children with autism.
Vaccination Contrubution to Autism Development This anxiety has led to a civic health dispute about the civil liberties of parents to decide whether to vaccinate their children, along with the state regulation on vaccinations to guard the wellbeing of its […]
Abu Dhabi Autism Center The Abu Dhabi Autism Center has to operate within the laws and regulations of the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs.
Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment for Autism It is the most commonly applied autism treatment remedy in the United States and several other countries in the world and the major method that schools and therapists embrace and use.
Involving Adults With Autism Plus Learning Disability Since the method is interviewing, a particular aspect of the study that should be addressed with attention is the researchers’ perspective.
Inclusive Education: Child With Autism and Spina Bifida It is worth mentioning that Ted’s mother is willing to cooperate with teachers, and her participation can be of great assistance to the teacher.
Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism It is possible to state that the book provides rather a high-quality review of the issues about the identification, education, and upbringing of the 2e children.
Case Law and Case Study of a Student With Autism On reviewing the evaluation results in the presence of the student’s mother, an agreement was reached on the general education placement for the student.
Children With Autism’ Communication in Saudi Arabia Parents of children with autism in Saudi Arabia have complained that the government has neglected the needs of autistic children by failing to finance their education and research to detect the effectiveness of the digital […]
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Testing and Measurement It will begin with the rationale that explain why the issues are critical, followed by the reasons for unavailability of the solutions to the issues and the consequences of the issues.
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Educational Interventions From this point, this paper aims to discuss the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders, examine the etiology and incidence of the disorder, focus on the prevalence of autism, and analyze the effectiveness of the DTT […]
Autism Expressed: Branding Strategy and Marketing The promise that the brand offers to the public should be in line with the desires of the clients. This firm will need to prepare this branding strategy in a way that will meet its […]
Vaccines and Autism: Separating Facts From Fiction The advocacy groups say that thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines, is toxic to the central nervous system and responsible for an alarming rise in rates of autism among children in the United States and […]
Self-Injury in Autism: Applied Behavior Analysis Applied behavior analysis incorporates the utilization of direct perception, estimation, and useful investigation of the relations in the middle of the environment and conduct.
Lesson for Learners With Autism: Reflection Observation The essay identifies the instructional methods used by the teacher during the exercise. The teacher also guided the learners to solve the mathematical problems using different visual objects.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Concept Besides, Temple often explores her own experiences and attempts to understand the feelings of others that are unavailable to her by visualizing herself as other creatures people and animals.
Dubai Autism Center’ Quality Management TQM employs strategies and effective communication within the organization to incorporate the quality principles into the culture and activities of the organization to ensure that all the activities are geared towards satisfying the customers.
Vaccination and Autism in Children The problem with this case is that while it may be true that the cause for the development of autism in children have yet to be fully determined, the fact remains that there have been […]
Video Modeling for Individuals With Autism The video model will be developed according to the needs of autistic children, with the focus on the role of visual and auditory stimuli in the teaching process.
The Effects of Vaccines on Autism From their study, the findings demonstrate that the presence of thimerosal is one of the causes of the disorder. It is imperative to state that they have used many studies that have indicated that there […]
Vaccination as a Cause Autism This paper borrows on the arguments of Monica Prasad and Washington and Haydn when they argue that the belief about vaccinations as a primary cause of autism stems from emotional, psychological, and behavioral barriers, as […]
Youth With Autism Disorder: Education and Employment This includes the communication patterns of the teenager, the extent of social relations and the unusual behavioral characteristics of the teenager in the environment.
Autism Children Education Inclusion Policy in Private Schools: Compulsory Enrollment Policy 2011 The following are the main areas will be addressed by the policy: Prohibited Private schools will be prohibited from ignoring the needs of children suffering from autism; they will be compelled by the act to […]
Autism: Pathogenesis and Intervention Similarly, a person with autism has to be trained on the process of communicating normally and forming a relationship with objects, events and people in their lives.
The Real Causes of Autism However, the main problem is that this association or correlation does not imply that autism is triggered by a vaccine. This is the main argument that can be put forward.
Autism Effect on Children It is crucial to understand the behavior of children with autism in the school set up in order to understand how autism affects children and their social interactions. It is up to the teacher to […]
Autism and Its Effects on Social Interaction The article “Social Impairment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” identifies the major challenges facing many people with autism. The authors wanted to examine the social problems and difficulties encountered by individuals with Autism Spectrum […]
Older Dads More Likely to Have Kids With Autism The author highlights autism as one of the main outcomes of late fatherhood following the release of the results of a study involving the counting of the mutations corresponding to a father’s age at the […]
Evidenced-Based Practice: Autism Management in Children Autism largely is connected to communication abilities of a child, a situation that later results into the child experiencing disability problems in effectively encoding and decoding communicative messages.
Miami Dance Project for Autistic Children For me, what the Miami dance project represents is in line with what is known as the concept of confidence building wherein through the development of certain talents children with autism will begin to have […]
Program Models in Autism The DTT technique has been designed in such a way as to target the individual behavior of an autistic child using the available curriculum.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Relation to Education Attending to students having ASD in the regular classrooms requires specialized teachers and supplementary staff in order to aid in the realization of the needs of the students having ASD.
Critical Analysis of Published Articles: Autism It was therefore the goal of the research to find out if the negative attitude of people towards autistic children can be altered to the benefit of the parents.
Autism in Saudi Arabia This support may come in the form of modification of the curriculum to cater for the special needs of the autistic children.
Analysis of Autism Disorder This disorder affects the brain of the child during growth so that it does not develop in the right way thus affecting the social and communication skills of the child. This is especially to the […]
One-To-One Programs: Supporting Autistic Children The purpose of conducting this essay will be to examine the educational intervention of one-to-one support programs during normal school times within a mainstream classroom and also to discuss the challenges faced by teachers and […]
Psychological Disorders and Their Treatment: An Overview of the Recent Progress and the Current Challenges in Treating Autism in Children In the given paper, the issue of psychological disorders is being addressed in reference to the ideas expressed in Chapter 11 “Psychological Disorders” in Carole Wade and Carol Tavris’s Invitation to Psychology.
Early Intervention for Young Adults With Autism This is due to unavailability of information on children development stages and the importance of early detection and intervention in the case of autism.
Different Behaviors in Children With Autism The purpose is to find out whether the co morbidity changes with the environment, and assess the influence that the environment has on the behavior of an autistic child.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Autism Disorder Children with autism are therefore able to reason and even interpret the feelings of other people but the challenge is to communicate the response to other people.
Autism: Qualitative Research Design Golafshani continues to argue that the use of the term “dependability” in qualitative studies is a close match to the idea of “reliability” in quantitative research.
Autism Spectrum Disorder However, the reality is that the number of children with autism and having high intelligence is insignificant. It is apparent that, in autism, a disorder is found in the structure of the brain.
Treatment of Autism With the Use of the Picture Exchange Communication System There are lots of types of this communication system that may be used with children, who have autism, and one of them is the Picture Exchange Communication System that is characterized by a proper picture […]
Vaccines and Autism: A Critical Analysis of Thimerosal in Relation to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella The safety and efficacy of vaccines has been the subject of many studies in the medical field. The disorder was observed in one participant from each of the cohorts in the experiment.
How to Recognize and Teach Students With Autism If these groups of students have to be given directions that are more than three steps, the directions have to be written down due to their inability to remember sequences.
Autism and Visual Thought Suprisingly the quality of visual thinking according to Bogdashina is dependent on other factors like time and the state the autistic person is in.
Do Vaccines Cause Autism? Thimerosal is alleged to increase the exposure of mercury in the vaccine to a substantiated high amount. In fact, the amount of antigens between children with autism and without is the same irrespective of the […]
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Improving the Written Expression of Children with ASD

By: Kristie Asaro-Saddler, PhD University at Albany
January 1st, 2013
children , students , writing
12915 1

Writing has become an increasingly important element across curricular areas. However, many young children, including children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), struggle with this key literacy skill. While it has been well-documented that many children with ASD have handwriting deficits, difficulties in the writing process, including planning, content generation, and revising text, are also pervasive. Therefore, it is essential to examine the writing of children with ASD, determine how their characteristics impact their writing ability, and discuss how parents and teachers may foster improvement in writing outcomes.

Writing is a foundational skill that can support and extend student learning across the curriculum. It allows the sharing of opinions, the demonstration of critical thinking skills, and the display of content knowledge. Writing is critical for school success, as it is the primary means by which students demonstrate their knowledge in school, and the major instrument that teachers use to evaluate academic performance (Graham & Harris, 2005). Beyond school, students need to be able to write well to succeed in society and to obtain and maintain employment.

Writing presents a unique challenge, as it requires putting thoughts on paper in such a way as to transmit a message to another person who may not have knowledge of what you are writing. While developing these thoughts, writers must coordinate the processes of planning, text production, and revision, while also self-monitoring their work. In addition, they must consider the conventions of the language, and the constraints of the topic and the genre, along with the audience needs and perspectives.

Why Writing is Difficult for Children with ASD

Deficits in writing have been well-documented in ASD research. In one study (Mayes & Calhoun, 2008), for example, 63% of students diagnosed with ASD also exhibited a writing disability. It can be difficult for these students to think of ideas, organize their writing, and physically write their ideas. So what is it that makes writing so difficult for children with ASD?

Children with ASD characteristically exhibit a range of impairments that make written expression difficult. Among these characteristics are:

An inability to use imagination, engage in abstract thinking, consider perspectives of others, and imagine future events or possible scenarios (Harbinson & Alexander, 2009; Myles, 2005; Myles & Simpson, 2001). These characteristics can lead to a literal interpretation of a writing task and an inability to comprehend or use metaphors, idioms, or rhetorical questions, and may hinder the exploration of counter-arguments and various perspectives.
Deficits in theory of mind, or the ability to take another’s perspective or believe that others think differently from you (McCoy, 2011), which makes it difficult for students with ASD to recognize that their work will be read by someone else with different views and opinions. This unawareness of an “absent audience” may result in writings that are not well-developed, or that lack elaboration.
Weak central coherence, or a tendency to focus on small details, which can lead to an inability to understand context or see the “big picture,” causing difficulty with distinguishing important from unimportant details.
Deficits in the areas of language and communication, which make compiling, expressing, and recording thoughts a challenge, resulting in a composition that lacks a clear, central focus, or that is poorly organized.
Motor/coordination issues that can contribute to difficulty with handwriting and composing, resulting in brief writings that students are unwilling to revise or elaborate because it is physically “too difficult.”
Deficits in several executive function components, including planning, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and self-monitoring (Hill, 2004), which directly impact an individual’s ability to maintaining his/her focus on the process of developing a main idea and details to support the topic, and to encourage engagement and continuous motivation throughout the writing process.

How Can You Help?

There are several steps that parents and teachers can take to help students with ASD improve their writing skills and allow them to be more successful in school and in their everyday functioning. Here are five simple tips that you can use to help increase the motivation and written performance of children with ASD:

Make the environment conducive to writing. The home or classroom environment can impact a child’s willingness to write. Be sure that the lighting and noise level are acceptable for your child, given his/her sensory needs. Surround the child in a print-rich environment by posting model letters, book reviews, and other types of writing around the home or classroom. Teachers and parents may also consider providing alternatives to the typical pencil and paper. Vary writing implements to include items such as markers, stamps, stickers and magnetic letters, and allow students to work in a comfortable setting for them, as long as it is appropriate for writing (i.e. has a flat surface).

Create an audience and purpose. Since deficits in theory of mind my impact children with ASD’s ability to write for an absent audience, it is helpful to create an audience for them. It is beneficial for students to know before beginning the writing process that there will be an authentic audience, besides just their parent or teacher, viewing their writing. Different genres of writing offer different options of potential audiences. For example, persuasive letters can be written to a principal, a parent, or the head of a company, whereas fictional stories can be written and shared with younger siblings or students in younger grades. Online blogs for people with ASD provide a natural context for writing, in addition to social and emotional support, and may be used by young adults with ASD and younger students who are supervised by parents or teachers.

Use interests and fascination . In school, students must eventually learn to write in response to a prompt their teacher gives them. However, in order to increase students’ motivation and fluency with writing, it may help to allow them to start writing about things in which they are interested. These are topics in which children usually have a desire to share information, along with a great deal of background knowledge. For example, a child with ASD who has an interest in digital cameras may write a “how-to” piece about how to take a picture with a digital camera, or a child with a fascination with trains may write a persuasive piece on why trains are a better method of transportation than cars.

Provide supports. Students with ASD may require various types of supports in the classroom or at home. Graphic organizers and semantic maps (visual tools designed to organize thoughts and represent relationships between them) may aid in the planning process (Sansoti, Powell-Smith & Cohan, 2010). Framed paragraphs, which are partially completed paragraphs with a number of blanks strategically placed for the student to fill in, may also be used to scaffold students’ writing (Kluth & Chandler-Olcott, 2008), along with word banks or drawings/pictures (Hillock, 2011) and story starters, which provide a statement to start the story, such as, “I went for a walk in the woods and I found…” that the student has to continue. Siblings or other students in the class can also act as a support for children with ASD through scribing (writing down what the student says aloud) or shared writing, where students take turns making a contribution to the written product. Peers can also help students with the revising process after their first drafts have been completed.

Use technology. Sometimes the physical act of writing makes it difficult for children with ASD to create written products. Allowing the students to use a keyboard or speech-to-text software may reduce the physical burden and allow students to express themselves in another way. Technology can also be used to help children organize their writing. Software programs such as Kidspiration® and Inspiration® and iPad apps such as Popplet™ for example, can be used in the planning stages to help students organize their thoughts before beginning to write.

While writing can be a challenge for many students with ASD, providing support may prove beneficial. The basic tips offered here can help increase students’ motivation to write, resulting in more frequent writing with less resistance, and ultimately, better written products.

Kristie Asaro-Saddler, PhD is Assistant Professor of Special Education at The University at Albany. For more information, please contact Dr. Asaro-Saddler at [email protected] or visit www.albany.edu/special_education .

Graham, S., & Harris, K. R. (2005). Writing better: Teaching writing processes and self-regulation to students with learning problems . Baltimore, MD: Brookes.

Harbinson, H., & Alexander, J. (2009). Asperger Syndrome and the English curriculum: Addressing the challenges. Support for Learning, 24 , 10-17.

Hill, E. L. (2004). Evaluating the theory of executive dysfunction in autism. Developmental Review, 24 , 189-233.

Hillock, J. (2011). Written expression: Why is it difficult and what can be done? In K. McCoy (Ed). Autism from the teacher’s perspective . Denver: Love Publishing Company.

Kluth, P., & Chandler-Olcott, K. (2008). A land we can share . Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing.

Mayes, S., & Calhoun, S. L. (2008). WISC-IV and WIAT-II profiles in children with high functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38 , 428–439.

McCoy, K. M. (2011). Autism from the teacher’s perspective: Strategies for classroom instruction. Denver: Love Publishing Co.

Myles, B. S. (2005). Children and youth with Asperger syndrome . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Myles, B. S., & Simpson, R. L. (2001) Effective practices for students with Asperger Syndrome. Focus on Exceptional Children, 34 , 1-14.

Sansoti, F., Powell-Smith, K., & Cohan, R. (2010). High-functioning Autism/Asperger syndrome in schools: Assessment and intervention . New York: Guilford Press

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How to write a descriptive essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Descriptive Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 14, 2023.

A descriptive essay gives a vivid, detailed description of something—generally a place or object, but possibly something more abstract like an emotion. This type of essay , like the narrative essay , is more creative than most academic writing .

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Descriptive essay topics, tips for writing descriptively, descriptive essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about descriptive essays.

When you are assigned a descriptive essay, you’ll normally be given a specific prompt or choice of prompts. They will often ask you to describe something from your own experience.

Describe a place you love to spend time in.
Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

You might also be asked to describe something outside your own experience, in which case you’ll have to use your imagination.

Describe the experience of a soldier in the trenches of World War I.
Describe what it might be like to live on another planet.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to describe something more abstract, like an emotion.

If you’re not given a specific prompt, try to think of something you feel confident describing in detail. Think of objects and places you know well, that provoke specific feelings or sensations, and that you can describe in an interesting way.

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The key to writing an effective descriptive essay is to find ways of bringing your subject to life for the reader. You’re not limited to providing a literal description as you would be in more formal essay types.

Make use of figurative language, sensory details, and strong word choices to create a memorable description.

Use figurative language

Figurative language consists of devices like metaphor and simile that use words in non-literal ways to create a memorable effect. This is essential in a descriptive essay; it’s what gives your writing its creative edge and makes your description unique.

Take the following description of a park.

This tells us something about the place, but it’s a bit too literal and not likely to be memorable.

If we want to make the description more likely to stick in the reader’s mind, we can use some figurative language.

Here we have used a simile to compare the park to a face and the trees to facial hair. This is memorable because it’s not what the reader expects; it makes them look at the park from a different angle.

You don’t have to fill every sentence with figurative language, but using these devices in an original way at various points throughout your essay will keep the reader engaged and convey your unique perspective on your subject.

Use your senses

Another key aspect of descriptive writing is the use of sensory details. This means referring not only to what something looks like, but also to smell, sound, touch, and taste.

Obviously not all senses will apply to every subject, but it’s always a good idea to explore what’s interesting about your subject beyond just what it looks like.

Even when your subject is more abstract, you might find a way to incorporate the senses more metaphorically, as in this descriptive essay about fear.

Choose the right words

Writing descriptively involves choosing your words carefully. The use of effective adjectives is important, but so is your choice of adverbs , verbs , and even nouns.

It’s easy to end up using clichéd phrases—“cold as ice,” “free as a bird”—but try to reflect further and make more precise, original word choices. Clichés provide conventional ways of describing things, but they don’t tell the reader anything about your unique perspective on what you’re describing.

Try looking over your sentences to find places where a different word would convey your impression more precisely or vividly. Using a thesaurus can help you find alternative word choices.

My cat runs across the garden quickly and jumps onto the fence to watch it from above.
My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above.

However, exercise care in your choices; don’t just look for the most impressive-looking synonym you can find for every word. Overuse of a thesaurus can result in ridiculous sentences like this one:

My feline perambulates the allotment proficiently and capers atop the palisade to regard it from aloft.

An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

If you’re not given a specific prompt for your descriptive essay , think about places and objects you know well, that you can think of interesting ways to describe, or that have strong personal significance for you.

The best kind of object for a descriptive essay is one specific enough that you can describe its particular features in detail—don’t choose something too vague or general.

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If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, August 14). How to Write a Descriptive Essay | Example & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/descriptive-essay/

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Autism Spectrum Divided in the Film ‘Radio’

This essay about the film ‘Radio’ examines its portrayal of a character with mental disabilities, reflecting broader themes related to the autism spectrum. It discusses how the movie humanizes its protagonist, Radio, presenting him not just as a subject of pity but as an individual with a rich emotional landscape. The film’s approach to showcasing the social integration of people with disabilities is also explored, highlighting both the community’s varying reactions and the barriers to inclusion. Additionally, the essay critiques the tendency of the film to use Radio’s character primarily as a catalyst for other characters’ development, rather than focusing on his own personal growth. Through its analysis, the essay argues for more nuanced and diverse representations of autism in media, advocating for portrayals that recognize the complexities of living with such conditions.

How it works

In the realm of film, storytelling not only entertains but also educates and shapes perceptions, often taking on the responsibility of portraying complex human conditions. The film ‘Radio,’ directed by Michael Tollin, provides a poignant look into the life of a young man with a mental disability, loosely based on the real-life story of James Robert “Radio” Kennedy. While not explicitly diagnosed with autism in the film, the portrayal of Radio’s character sheds light on broader discussions about the autism spectrum and how such conditions are depicted in popular media.

Radio, played compellingly by Cuba Gooding Jr., captures the heart of a small town through his innocent and enthusiastic love of football. The character’s interaction with Coach Harold Jones, portrayed by Ed Harris, serves as the central conduit through which the audience experiences themes of acceptance, misunderstanding, and the breaking of social barriers. This narrative offers a backdrop against which one can reflect on the representation of autism. Typically, characters on the autism spectrum are presented through a lens of stereotypical behaviors and traits that do not necessarily capture the full diversity and depth of the actual condition.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to humanize Radio, not merely painting him as a subject of pity but as a full-fledged individual with desires, joys, and struggles. This approach challenges the often one-dimensional portrayal of similar characters in other films, who may be depicted as merely the sum of their disabilities. However, the film also falls into some conventional traps. For instance, Radio’s character sometimes serves as a vehicle for the emotional growth of others, particularly Coach Jones, rather than pursuing his own developmental arc. This dynamic can subtly reinforce the idea that individuals with disabilities are catalysts for change in others rather than being agents of their own change.

Furthermore, the film navigates the societal impact of Radio’s condition, depicting varied community reactions that range from supportive to hostile. This spectrum of responses mirrors real-world scenarios where people with autism and their families often face mixed social receptions. The portrayal of community integration is crucial, highlighting the barriers to inclusion that people with disabilities frequently encounter, and the pivotal roles that acceptance and support play in overcoming these obstacles.

Another noteworthy aspect of ‘Radio’ is its focus on the personal growth of the title character. Radio’s journey from being a misunderstood outsider to a respected member of the community underscores an essential narrative about the potential residing within each individual, regardless of cognitive ability. This narrative arc can be empowering, yet it also raises questions about the authenticity of such portrayals, given the complex realities faced by those on the autism spectrum. The film tends to simplify these complexities, perhaps to reach a broader audience or to ensure a more uplifting storyline.

In conclusion, while ‘Radio’ does not explicitly address autism, its depiction of a protagonist with a mental disability invites viewers to reflect on broader themes related to the autism spectrum. The film succeeds in creating a touching, if somewhat idealized, narrative that speaks to the human condition in its many forms. It also opens up a conversation about the need for more nuanced and diverse representations of autism in media, moving beyond stereotypes to embrace the rich variety of individual experiences. As audience members and as a society, we gain from such portrayals a greater empathy and a better understanding of the diversity within the community of those living with autism, encouraging a more inclusive approach to all narratives we see on screen.

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Develop an expertise. James, Craft, and Malia all focus on writing about autism, using their experiences to explain life on the spectrum. Garcia has a passion for politics and disability. Schedule down time. Garcia will often take a short nap after work to reset before he settles into book writing in the evening.
Descriptive Essay about Autism
Police Officers And Autism. Autism ; Police Officer ; The term "streetcorner psychiatrist" is from Teplin and Pruett (1992) who created the term to describe how police are the first to interact with the mentally ill since after deinstitutionalization, a dramatic shift in the mental health care system impacting the mentally ill.
Why Autism Awareness is Important: [Essay Example], 719 words
Why Autism Awareness is Important. Autism, a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, affects individuals in diverse ways, shaping their behaviors, communication, and interactions with the world. As society becomes more informed about autism, the importance of raising awareness and promoting understanding has gained prominence.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Studies indicate that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is inherited between family members. A study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (2000) indicated that there is a 3-6% chance of getting autism amongst siblings. However, Korvatska et al (2002) state that the difficulty experienced by scientists in pinpointing the genetic ...
Full article: Inclusivity in education for autism spectrum disorders
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition characterised by social communication difficulties and repetitive behaviours (American Psychiatric Association Citation 2013).The standardised prevalence is around 1.76% of children within schools in England (Roman-Urrestarazu et al. Citation 2021); and there is a high incidence of mental health difficulties (Murphy et al. Citation 2016).
The experiences of families raising autistic children: A
Conditions and needs of autistic children have impacts on both the children and the family members who have crucial roles in raising the child. The prevalence of autism is increasing, and this fact makes it necessary to focus more on experiences of parents who have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hence, this study aimed to reflect ...
Writing Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum ...
Writing interventions often target specific genres of writing including but not limited to descriptive writing, expository writing, narrative writing, and persuasive writing. Historical Background The topic of writing interventions and students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was not widely considered prior to the twenty-first century.
Autism Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas
32 essay samples found. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Essays could explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment of autism, the experiences of individuals with autism, and societal ...
Comparing the writing skills of autistic and nonautistic university
However, other research indicates that Theory of Mind difficulties are far from universal in autism, varying across developmental and social contexts. Through a participatory research approach, autistic university students contributed to the current study examining the writing strengths and challenges of autistic ( n = 25) and nonautistic ( n ...
The Great List of Autistic Essays
Understanding the Autistic Brain. My Autistic Mind Does What it Wants. The Dissociated Autistic Performance State. The Joys of Being Autistic: Increased Creativity and Innovation. My Autistic Memory Is Not the Same as Others. The Firehouse Dilemma: Autism and Infodumping. The Variability of the Autistic Sensory System.
165 Autism Topics to Write about & Free Essay Samples
Impact of Autism Disorder on Adolescents. This essay discusses the impact of autism disorder on adolescents in the community and a nursing intervention that can be used to assist adolescents in becoming prominent society members. Progression of Reading Ability in a Child Diagnosed With Autism.
The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults
Abstract. Autistic meltdowns have been explored from the perspectives of parents, but there is a paucity of research on the experience of meltdowns from the autistic perspective. Little is known about how adults experience these events. In this descriptive phenomenological study, we conducted online interviews with 32 autistic adults on the ...
Improving the Written Expression of Children with ASD
12856 1. Writing has become an increasingly important element across curricular areas. However, many young children, including children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), struggle with this key literacy skill. While it has been well-documented that many children with ASD have handwriting deficits, difficulties in the writing process ...
The Portrayal of Autism in 'Rain Man': Insights and Impacts
This essay about the portrayal of autism in 'Rain Man' explores the film's nuanced depiction of autism through the character of Raymond Babbitt, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman. It examines the film's impact on raising awareness and fostering understanding of neurodiversity, while also critically analyzing its strengths and shortcomings in ...
How to Write a Descriptive Essay
An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt "Describe a place you love to spend time in," is shown below. Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works. On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green ...
Descriptive Essay About Autism
Descriptive Essay About Autism - Download as a PDF or view online for free. ... This document provides a summary of autism, including its definition, prevalence, and misconceptions. Autism is a developmental disability that affects communication and social interaction. It occurs in about 15 of every 10,000 births. While there is no cure, early ...
Autism Spectrum Divided in the Film 'Radio'
This essay about the film 'Radio' examines its portrayal of a character with mental disabilities, reflecting broader themes related to the autism spectrum. It discusses how the movie humanizes its protagonist, Radio, presenting him not just as a subject of pity but as an individual with a rich emotional landscape.
essay on autism research | Apex Legends
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