James E.

Parr
10/17/2016
English 102
Dr.Duane Roen

What therapies affect the possibility of Autistic Characteristics lessening with age?
What is ASD?: ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD). ASD is part of a bigger
family of neurodevelopmental disorders called Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). ASD
is short for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. ASD is a spectrum on a bigger spectrum,then on a even
bigger spectrum. The largest spectrum is neurodevelopmental disorders. Then on the NDD
spectrum you have the PDD spectrum, then from there you have the ASD spectrum. ASD is a
wide range of disorders such as Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, PDD-not otherwise specified,Rett
Syndrome,and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD).
What is a characteristic of someone with ASD?: Social awkwardness, delayed speech
development, high intelligence(aspergers),bad communication skills, sensory difficulties,slow
ability to process things,repetitive behaviors,obsessions,resistance to change,sensitivities to
sound,light,textures,etc.,
What therapies have been used before?: Early intervention, speech
classes,occupational and physical therapies,seeing a counselor, medication,social
intervention,not keeping a strict schedule
Why do I want to do this?: I was diagnosed with Autism 10 years ago this December. I
have learned a lot about ASD in the past 10 years. Now I want to give back and help other
people with Autism by looking at therapies that have been used with me and other people and
seeing what has worked, what hasnt,and what is the main concept of what works. I want to use
those concepts, then invent, test, tweak,test again,and continue testing and tweaking until we
have a 95% success rate among those with autism. Currently the stats are that 1 in 68 children
have autism. Autism is more common in boys (1 in 42 ) then among girls (1 in 189).
Unfortunately, I see that number rising in the near future so now is the time for new therapies.
The What: To go back and look at current therapies for Autistic Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) and see what has helped those with ASDs characteristics become successful in life. Then

taking the basic concepts of what has worked, I want to invent and test new therapies using those
concepts.
The Why: So that every child with ASD can use proven methods and have the chance to
be successful in life.
Why should you do it now ?: The question should be, Why wouldnt you do it now ?
This is Americas future, who you will pass the torch to. Do you want everyone to live a
successful life, or not. I want everyone with ASD and all disabilities to live successful lives as
humans. To use therapies that dont work wouldnt be doing anything except wasting money.
How will my research be done?: Using data from past studies to see what has worked
then doing tests/studies to figure out what new therapies will work using the concepts of what
worked before. Because I have ASD, I will be willing to be a guinea pig for my own studies
Who will my findings go to?: Anyone who will listen,but mainly those that deal with
ASD such as counselors,parents,psychologists,caregivers,general practitioners,and teachers
In conclusion, with your help, We can find new therapies that have never been heard of
using basic concepts from what worked. They say, it takes a village to raise a child, but with
an autistic child,it takes the city. I close with that because with a neurotypical child, they wont
need as much help as in only taking a village. A city is a whole lot bigger than a village. So,using
that, we can draw a conclusion that autistic children need more help than just the village, they
need the entire city. I am here to be part of that city.
Bibliography:
"Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 12 Aug. 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html>.
Pinterest-Autism Speaks. Pinterest-Autism Speaks,
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a1/f9/fc/a1f9fc52c82c2c71bd403aec13eb441e.jpg.
Shroff, Anita, MD. "What Is Asperger's Syndrome? Symptoms, Tests, Causes, Treatments."
WebMD. WebMD, 1 Feb. 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/mental-health-aspergers-syndrome>.
"Autism Spectrum Disorder." National Institute of Mental Health. N.p., 1 Mar. 2016. Web. 28
Mar. 2016. <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/>.
Centers, Brain Balance. "Signs and Symptoms of Asperger Syndrome - Brain Balance
Achievement Centers." Brain Balance Achievement Centers. Brain Balance Achievement
Centers, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.

Walter, Rhonda S. "Asperger Syndrome." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, 1 Jan. 2012.
Web. 15 Apr. 2016.<http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/asperger.html?ref=search>.