Individual Assignment : “Human Growth and Development”
Date: 22 July
Article #35:
Girls, Boys and Autism
Introduction
The world of autism can be a rather mysterious one. Not only is autism frequently misunderstood, it is also a development disorder that is impacting more and more children every day, as high as 1 in 150 children in the US (Autism Society of America
website, par.2). The fact that the cause of autism is still unknown puts additional urgency on the need for a better understanding of this disorder, and perhaps even a cure, in the years to come.
Date: 22 July
Article #35:
Girls, Boys and Autism
Introduction
The world of autism can be a rather mysterious one. Not only is autism frequently misunderstood, it is also a development disorder that is impacting more and more children every day, as high as 1 in 150 children in the US (Autism Society of America
website, par.2). The fact that the cause of autism is still unknown puts additional urgency on the need for a better understanding of this disorder, and perhaps even a cure, in the years to come.
One such research that had enhanced our understanding of autism and its impact on more boys than girls, was done by psychologist, Simon Baron-Cohen.
Body Content
Baron-Cohen defined autism as an imbalance between 2 kinds of intelligence – the intelligence used to understand people (empathizing) and that used to understand things (systemizing). This led him to develop a model which he called the “Type S” versus the “Type E” Model.
Body Content
Baron-Cohen defined autism as an imbalance between 2 kinds of intelligence – the intelligence used to understand people (empathizing) and that used to understand things (systemizing). This led him to develop a model which he called the “Type S” versus the “Type E” Model.
With this model, he reasoned that most autistic sufferers have a significantly higher level of “Type S” skills but low on “Type E” skills, which correlates well with those of boys, rather than girls.
He therefore surmised that there is a gender gap, that is, more boys are autistic than girls.
In the US, the ratio is 4.3: 1 of all autistic sufferers being boys or males, as compared to
girls or females (Wikipedia website, par.1). More importantly, Baron-Cohen suggested
that autism may not just be a disease in need of a cure, but it may also be a mental style
that people can learn to accommodate.
This led the article to cite 2 cases of autistic sufferers that have capitalized on their “Type
S” skills. One, a British man called Stephen Wiltshire, had such impressive artistic skills
that he now lives a successful adult life, by selling his artistic works to the public. Other
autistic sufferers may also be deployed into jobs that utilizes these “Type S” skills, like
the labeling of vast inventories in a factory.
Conclusion
The understanding of the gender gap in autistic sufferers has been further enhanced by
the research of psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen. His Type S v Type E model gave
further evidence that more autistic sufferers should be given the opportunity to capitalize
on their Type S skills, and therefore, be given a better chance at a successful adult life.
His argument that perhaps autism should be viewed as a mental style that people can
learn to accommodate was refreshing, and potentially, far-reaching in its impact on how
autism is being viewed today and in the future.
References
1.Autism Society of America (Online database). Retrieved July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home
2.Wikipedia (Online database). Retreived July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
He therefore surmised that there is a gender gap, that is, more boys are autistic than girls.
In the US, the ratio is 4.3: 1 of all autistic sufferers being boys or males, as compared to
girls or females (Wikipedia website, par.1). More importantly, Baron-Cohen suggested
that autism may not just be a disease in need of a cure, but it may also be a mental style
that people can learn to accommodate.
This led the article to cite 2 cases of autistic sufferers that have capitalized on their “Type
S” skills. One, a British man called Stephen Wiltshire, had such impressive artistic skills
that he now lives a successful adult life, by selling his artistic works to the public. Other
autistic sufferers may also be deployed into jobs that utilizes these “Type S” skills, like
the labeling of vast inventories in a factory.
Conclusion
The understanding of the gender gap in autistic sufferers has been further enhanced by
the research of psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen. His Type S v Type E model gave
further evidence that more autistic sufferers should be given the opportunity to capitalize
on their Type S skills, and therefore, be given a better chance at a successful adult life.
His argument that perhaps autism should be viewed as a mental style that people can
learn to accommodate was refreshing, and potentially, far-reaching in its impact on how
autism is being viewed today and in the future.
References
1.Autism Society of America (Online database). Retrieved July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home
2.Wikipedia (Online database). Retreived July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
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