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Kristie Pinto Professor William Vaughn English 101 Mon/Wed September 8, 2011 The Autistic Detective

Its Like when you are upset and you hold the radio against your ear and you tune it halfway between two stations so that all you get is white noise and then you turn the volume right up so this is all you can hear and then you know you are safe because you cannot hear anything else, (P7) writes Christopher. This is how Christopher felt in response to a police officer asking him too many questions too quickly. This occurred immediately following Christophers discovery of Wellington, his neighbors poodle, dead, in the garden. All of the information stacking up inside of his head confused Christopher. This is a significant part of the book because it tells the reader of Christophers mentality and his reaction to too much stimuli. Christopher is autistic. Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life, and effects the brains normal development of social and communication skills.

Office of Communications and Public Liaison characterize autistic people as persons with social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior. One of the hallmark symptoms or characteristics of autism are impaired social interaction. A child with autism may be withdrawn or indifferent to social engagement. They lack empathy. They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they cant understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and dont watch other peoples faces for clues about

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appropriate behavior. They do not like physical contact. Christopher states, I find people confusing. (P14) He then writes These are some of my behavioral problems; A. Not talking to people for a long time. B. Not eating or drinking anything for a long time. C. Not liking being touched. D. Screaming when I am angry or confused. E. Not liking being in really small places with people. F. Smashing things when I am angry or confused. G. Groaning. H. Not liking yellow or brown things and refusing to touch yellow or brown things. I. refusing to use my toothbrush if anyone else has touched it. J. Not eating food if different types of food are touching it. K. Not noticing that people are angry with me. L. Not smiling. M. Saying things that other people say is rude. N. Doing stupid things. O. Hitting people. P. Hating France. Q. Driving mothers car. R. Getting cross when someone has moved furniture. (P46-47) Christophers behavioral symptoms are extremely similar the Office Of Communications and Liaisons symptoms fact sheet which include; poor eye contact and facial expression, socially unexpected habits, failure to respond to their name, lack of understanding of social rules, lack of awareness to others feelings and emotions, difficulty developing relationships with others, confusion or fear of unexpected events, failure to initiate conversation, difficulty expressing needs or wants, abnormal speech, stereotyped or repetitive type of language, aggressive or self-injurious behavior, compulsive behavior, intense dislike of routine changes, obsessions, abnormal response to sensory stimuli, and sensitivity to noise or touch. Christopher prefers dogs to people, does not like to be touched, and cannot understand jokes.

Stephen M. Edleson from Autism.mobi finds that research has shown, many people who engage in autistic behaviors have other related but distinct disorders. Included in

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these disorders is a disorder called Asperger Syndrome. Asperger Syndrome is characterized by concrete and literal thinking, obsession with certain topics, and excellent memories. About 10% of autistic people have savant skills, in which they have an ability, which causes them to excel in certain learning areas, such as math, science, music, and art. Christopher excells in math and science, he finds that doing maths calms him. He also thinks literally, he does not understand why people do not say what they are thinking and does not understand metaphors. I think that Christopher probably has Asperger Syndrome, as well; he falls into the 10% of an Autistic Savant.

While there are many behavioral characteristics to autism, there are also many physical characteristics as well. William Yates from KevinMd.com describes the physical characteristics to include; sandal gap toes, facial asymmetry, abnormal nonfrontal hair whorl, high narrow palate, attached earlobes, hyper mobile joints, prominent lower jaw, limited facial expression, open mouth appearance, poor eyesight and abnormal gait. The physical and behavioral symptoms are often accompanied by medical problems. Seizures and Epilepsy are common, as are Gastrointestinal Disorders, Sleep disorders, Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Pica.

Although Autism is the result of a neurological abnormality, the exact cause is unknown in most cases. It is suggested that heritability contributes largely, but it is complex and unclear exactly which genes are responsible. Environmental, immunologic, and metabolic factors are also suggested as cause. In families with one autistic child, chances are 3-8% that a second child will also have autism. AutisimSpeaks.org estimates

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that six out of every 1000 people have autism. Autism is also four times more likely to develop in males than in females.

There is no cure for autism, although several treatment options have proven effective in managing autism. AustismSpeaks.org publishes that treatment is most successful when it is geared towards the autistic persons individual needs. A variety of therapies are available which include applies behavior analysis, medications, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language therapy. Sensory integration and vision therapy is also common but there is little research to support its effectiveness. Since there is no known cure for autism these therapies are designed to improve the symptoms of autism. The goal is to allow the autistic as much of a normal life as possible

Most Autistic people will need some type of assisted living their entire lives. Some live with their parents or family, some can live in group homes, and a very few can develop the skills to live alone, although they should have someone nearby to watch over them and make sure they can handle the day-to-day routine of life.

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Works Sighted

Autism Speaks. Treating Autism, Autism Speaks.org. Web. July 2010

Edleson, Stephen M. PhD. Overview of Autism. Autisim.mobi. Web. 2008

Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. New York: Vintage

2004. Print

Office of Communications and Public Liaison. Autism Fact Sheet.

Web. June 25, 2011

Yates, William R MD. Physical features of autism Disorder. Kevin MD.com. Web July

20, 2010.