Two Ways that Treatments and Views on ASD

Two Ways that Treatments and Views on ASD
Discuss two ways that treatments and views on ASD have changed over time:
Autism was previously considered childhood schizophrenia and the outcome of cold parenting. The condition is now regarded as a spectrum with varying degrees of impairment. Also, researchers state that the global rate of ASD diagnosis has increased due to genetic and environmental elements (Zaky, 2017). Since its identification, the condition has been treated with electroconvulsive therapy and social modification methods. Its treatment changed to behavioral therapy that applies positive support and communication skills, the primary ASD therapeutic modalities.
Discuss three suspected causes of ASD today:
Genetics, brain development, and environmental risk factors are the three main factors causing ASD. Genetics plays a significant role, although it does not increase ASD diagnoses. Research indicates that in case one identical twin is diagnosed with ASD, there is a high probability that the other twin will develop the condition. The scenario is hardly experienced with non-identical twins. ASD is an infection of a complex interaction between genetics and the environment. Multiple environmental factors before and after childhood results in the development of ASD in children. Various factors such as maternal nutrition, low birth weight, exposure to air pollution, and challenges that lead to low oxygen in a child’s brain contribute to autism. However, the factors alone do not cause autism but increase the risk of children developing the condition when combined with genetic elements (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Lastly, unusual brain development underpins the growth of observable signs of autism. Variation in brain growth is recognizable before a child is born or shortly after birth. However, the behavioral and social signals of autism are not visible before 18 months of life.
Explain why it is important to understand research-based causal theories versus popular-belief causal theories:
It is crucial to understand the research-based theories since they are subjected to a complete analysis by researchers following scientific methods to achieve their emergence. The theories use methodologies that have proved ef...