42 ❯ STEP 2. Determine Your Test Readiness
Sample Essay
Autism spectrum disorder is group of developmental disorders which encompass a wide
range, or spectrum, of symptoms, levels of disability, and skills. The severity and character-
istics of the symptoms can vary greatly from one individual to the next. The most common
may include ongoing social problems, including difficulty communicating and interacting
with others. Children with autism spectrum disorder find it difficult to make eye contact
with others. They exhibit repetitive behaviors such as rocking, hand movements, and
repetitive sounds or words. They display limited interests or activities, with intense focus
on a singular item, theme, or color. Symptoms typically are recognized in the first two years
of life and may impede the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or
other areas of life.
Risk factors that may contribute to the likelihood of a child developing autism spec-
trum disorder include being born to older parents, typically a mother over 35 years and/
or father over 40 years. Research at the University of California, Davis has shown that the
risk of developing the disorder was higher if an older sibling has also been diagnosed with
it. Younger male siblings were three times more likely to have autism than their female
counterparts. About 20% of children with autism also have other genetic disorders such
as Down’s syndrome or fragile X syndrome according to the National Institute of Mental
Health.
No medication currently available can cure autism spectrum disorder, but there are a
number of drugs that can treat certain symptoms, especially the behavioral ones. Most of
these drugs, however, have their own list of side effects. One such medical treatment is the
drug risperidone (Risperdal) which can suppress irritability in children between the ages of
5 and 16. It is often prescribed to treat schizophrenia and helps to rebalance the neurotrans-
mitters dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior. Some people
may develop muscle-related side effects such as tardive dyskinesia while taking risperidone.
Symptoms include slow or jerky involuntary movements that cannot be controlled, often
starting in the mouth with tongue rolling or chewing movements. Less risky side effects of
taking Risperdal include anxiety, insomnia, and muscle spasms or tics.
The most effective psychological treatment for autism spectrum disorder includes
early identification and early intervention, which is most likely to have positive effects on
symptoms and skills as children grow. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, there can
be a smorgasbord of treatments. One such treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, which
focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist, the
person with the disorder, and his/her parents work together to create a therapeutic plan toASD ADHD
Struggle to focus on things they dislike Lose interest and avoid focus on things
they need to concentrate on
Tend to be self-centered May engage best with others and have
difficulty remaining self-occupied
Have difficulty putting thoughts and
feelings into wordsTend to talk non-stop, likely to interrupt,
can talk at length about areas of interest
Love order and repetition Do not like doing the same thing or the
same thing for long periods of time
Find it hard to make eye contact May not make eye contact while speaking