The Definition and Causes of Alzheimer’s and Autism

The Definition and Causes of Alzheimer’s and Autism

Autism and Alzheimer’s are both life-changing deceases and affect millions of people across the world. When a person is diagnosed with either disorder the individual and their family must be ready to change their lifestyle completely, and adapt to their new circumstances. Autism shows itself in the very early stages of a child’s life, which gives their family time to accept the disorder and begin special treatment and education. Alzheimer’s tends to catch families off guard and some may say is harder to deal with. Neither of these diseases are curable but modern science and extensive special care can make living with the condition easier.

Autism is a complex disorder of the brain development. “These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.” (“What Is Autism?”) Autism will become noticeable before the age of three, and parents may see signs very early during brain development but the most obvious signs will be seen later. Typical behaviors seen in children that suffer from autism are body rocking, resistance to change, and insistence on sameness. There is a wide variety of symptoms related to autism but the main thing that links them together is the difficulties in social relationships according to Geraidine Dawson. In the video titled “Autism” from Psychology Concepts, it shows that when an autistic child is showed a picture of his mother and then a picture of a stranger his brain responds as if both people are the same. In a normal child the response would be different for the mother and the stranger. Though this disease affects 3 million Americans, studies tell us that autism is more commonly found in boys than it is in girls. “Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years” (“What Is Autism?”).

Scientists do not have a...