Autism, Research Proposal Example

Introduction

What if autism was not really a disorder, but just the figment of someone’s scientific imagination? How much money would have gone wasted in treating children for a condition which is not really a disorder? This money could have been used to further cancer research or illuminate crimes in the society. More importantly, what if tomorrow medical science realizes that children diagnosed with autism prior to age three are really evidences of ignored evolutions in human species development? How would everyone perceive modern scientists and the conclusion they jump to so often?

Researchers are presently trying to offer more contemporary definitions of the apparent disorder due to inconsistencies in diagnoses across the pediatric discipline. An example, of two children was given; one doesn’t talk rocks rhythmically back and forth and stares at clothes spinning in the dryer. The other has no trouble talking, but is obsessed with trains, methodically naming every station in his state. They are both under three years old. Are these children autistic? For example Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution presumes the development of life arises from non-life material and stresses a purely naturalistic (undirected) “descent with modification”

(Darwin, 1859). Could it be that autism is a decent with modification? That is, complex creatures evolve from more simplistic ancestors naturally over time, as random genetic mutations occur within an organism’s genetic code. The beneficial mutations are preserved because they aid survival” (Darwin, 1859). These beneficial mutations are passed on to the next generation and over time, beneficial mutations accumulate and the result is an entirely different organism (not just a variation of the original, but an entirely different creature). Even though the advance is short but sure to occur slowly though steps.” Thus, Darwin conceded that, “If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.” Such a complex organ would be known as an “irreducibly complex system” (Darwin, 1859). An irreducibly complex system is one composed of multiple parts, all of which are necessary for the system to function. If even one part is missing, the entire system will fail to function. Every individual part is integral. Thus, such a system could not have evolved slowly, piece by piece. The common mousetrap is an everyday non-biological example of irreducible complexity. It is composed of five basic parts: a catch (to hold the bait), a powerful spring, a thin rod called “the hammer,” a holding bar to secure the hammer in place, and a platform to mount the trap. If any one of these parts is missing, the mechanism will not work. Each individual part is integral. The mousetrap is irreducibly complex (Darwin, 1859). These two scenarios raise concerns as to what constitutes a true diagnosis of autism especially when the situation resolves itself after age three (Associated Press, 2013).

Body

Jacob Barnett was diagnosed with autism before age 3 when his mother discovered that he was exceptionally interested in calculus, which he taught himself. Seeking medical attention to explain this exceptional behavior she was told that based on the child’s abnormal behavior he was mildly autistic. Jacob went on to being abnormal as classified by modern scientists after age three to challenge Einstein’s theories having a IQ higher than the genius he was about to challenge. What can the doctor who diagnosed autism in this child at two years old say now about this genius? Has he yet admitted that he is simply exceptionally gifted? (Barnett, 2013).

By age 9 years old Jacob started working on an original theory in astrophysics that experts believe may someday put him in line for a Nobel Prize. At 12 he became a paid researcher in quantum physics. Researchers admit the painful story of his mother’s journey with her gifted son who would have been lost to the limitations of autism being diagnosed at age two (Barnett, 2013).

How can Dr Darold A. Treffer’s (2011) assumptions be denied when he has identified numerous cases similar to Jacob’s and classifies them as ‘Islands of Genius: The Bountiful Mind of the Autistic, Acquired, and Sudden Savant?’ The doctor contends that individuals diagnosed with developmental disorders, including autism spectrum have demonstrated one or more exceptional abilities towards brilliance, he could not help detecting them as – “islands of genius.” He revealed that while there may be observed limitations the genius outweighs them all. Dr. Treffert (2011) exposes the hidden brain potential within us all, which these classified dysfunctional kids are not afraid to demonstrate (Treffert, 2011).

What does this mean to medical science? This doctor explores the phenomena of genetic memory whereby individuals somehow have information they never learned and suddenly a genius emerges or “acquired savantism” – where a neuro-typical person unexpectedly and spectacularly develops savant-like abilities following a head injury or stroke. These phenomena the doctor argues convinces researchers like himself that a reservoir of untapped potential – an inner savant capacity lays within every human for which scientific research has not uncovered. Therefore, how can savant skills can be nurtured? How they can help a child develop, especially, when diagnosed with autism spectrum? (Treffert, 2011).

Precisely, there is no scientific proof of that autism is a disorder. So far scientists have advanced that it is a speculated dysfunction (Geschwind, 2008). As such, many of them wrestle with the ideology that autistic people are just different and their existence could be heralding the evolution of a new human species, which is in its initial stage. Further, arguments point towards the fact that 40% of children now diagnosed with autism can be proved misdiagnosed as Jacob and many others.

The argument could be that these are just a few cases. However, doctors who challenge autism as a disorder contend that this diagnosis has been applied over 18 years ago to children who were formerly mentally retarded. Hence, there is no rue definition and diagnostic interventions to prove autism a real disorder (Silverman, 2008).

How could the opposition then ague that autism is a disorder or disease? Maybe, they can contend that the repetitive behavior is abnormal? If scientists do not understand the presentation of a condition is it correct to classify it abnormal? No! There is too much scope for research to classify exceptional gifted children as autistic, because their psychosocial development is different from what Erikson assumed it to be. Jacob has challenged Einstein’s theories and has an IQ higher than him. How could that be evaluated?

Conclusion

Precisely, children diagnosed with autism prior to age three are really evidences of ignored evolutions in human species development Jacob Barnet is evidence that human evolution has not stooped. They must become contemporary Charles Darwins to recognize changes in human growth and development to refrain from classifying such evolutions disorders. Unlocking the Mystery of Life (2002)

It is quite clear that human evolution encompasses an irreducibly complex system composed of multiple parts, which are all necessary for the system to function. If even one part is missing, the entire system will fail to function. Every individual part is integral. Thus, such a system could not have evolved slowly, piece by piece. The common mousetrap is an everyday non-biological example of irreducible complexity. It is composed of five basic parts: a catch (to hold the bait), a powerful spring, a thin rod called “the hammer,” a holding bar to secure the hammer in place, and a platform to mount the trap (Darwin, 1859).

References

Associated Press (2012). Does Your Child Have Autism? Black Kids Less Likely To Be Diagnosed. Newsone for Black America

Barnett, K. (2013). The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing Genius. Random House

Darwin, C. (1859). On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life New York Free Press

Geschwind, D. (2008). Autism: many genes, common pathways? Cell. 135(3):391–5.

Silverman, C. (2008). Fieldwork on another planet: social science perspectives on the autism spectrum. Biosocieties. 3(3):325–41.

Treffert, D. (2011). Islands of Genius: The Bountiful Mind of the Autistic, Acquired, and Sudden Savant. Jessica Kingsley Limited

Unlocking the Mystery of Life. (2002) documentary by Illustra Media