M11 - Genius Papers

Language:

One of the fundamental elements of culture is language. The ways people with autism

communicate play a crucial role in their condition. It can be challenging for people with autism to

relate to and interact with others. The intellectual and social growth of children with ASD affects

their capacity for language and communication. They might not have any language at all, develop

language more slowly, or have serious difficulties hearing, speaking, understanding, or using

spoken language. Some people might have extensive vocabularies and be able to speak in-depth

on certain topics, whereas others might have weak speaking abilities. They might not compensate

for their verbal difficulties with gestures. People with autism do not frequently express themselves

verbally to request something or to object. They are less likely to interact socially or exchange

information. They frequently struggle with knowing when and how to interact with people in a

where did this information come from? This needs a citation.

socially acceptable manner. For instance, they might not establish eye contact, show emotion, or

allow someone else to speak first in a conversation.

Family:

The family is another aspect of culture. Any person can benefit greatly from having a

family. The goal is to encourage children with autism in using their talents and competences and

to bring together all the actors who deal with families because parents are a main actor in their

children’s education. Additionally, how a family functions on a daily basis and how each family

member views the situation affects how disabled children and their parents interact (Kang-Yi,

2018). In addition, parents of autistic children take on a variety of responsibilities for their children.

They frequently identify developmental issues before anyone else. To ensure that the skills learned

in the educational program are transferred to the home environment, parents are typically active

participants in their children’s education. They are also responsible for teaching their children the

social norms and mores, which are best mastered at home and in the community.

Beliefs:

Beliefs and traditions play a role in the understanding and interpretation of the ASD

condition. Beliefs and traditions are different across cultures. Although many cultures share the

same autism symptoms, there are significant cultural differences in how each one understands the

causes and builds the experience of autism (Kang-Yi, 2018). Families with autistic children have

generally been seen by their societies in a variety of ways, causing the families to be influenced

by the particular social perceptions of autism. An example, cultural belief on autism holds that the

disorder’s cognitive symptoms are a punishment for the family’s past transgressions, the mother’s

abuse of the child, or evil spirits. Treatment and management of ASD condition heavily rely and

depend on people’s beliefs and traditions.

Which culture is this? Specify

Religion:

For many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, practicing their

faith is very important. Families frequently seek understanding, acceptance, and support from their

religious communities. Religion gives people living with ASD and their families hope and sense

of perception in the society. Faith-based organizations have a special opportunity to help with the

early detection of ASD and developmental delays in children. They are frequently the family’s

spiritual and social hub, and a young child may visit frequently before attending school. Religion

shapes the way of thinking and people’s belief on matters of health and society wellbeing (Kang-

Yi, 2018). People’s attitudes and behaviors towards their health are substantially influenced by

religion and spirituality, which has implications for the subject of health communication. Along

with religion and spirituality, culture has a big impact on how people see and comprehend

impairments like ASD. For example, some African communities think autism runs in the family,

while others think it’s caused by demonic spirits.

Short term impacts of Culture on ASD

Family’s ability to accept Autistic child:

Distinct cultural factors have different influence on social acceptance. As discussed, family

is one of the main components of culture and plays a great role in offering support to members

living with ASD. The support and engagement of family in one’s life is invaluable hence members

of the family are the most affected when it comes with accepting that one of their own is living

with the condition (Barrio et al., 2019). Cultures influence families’ abilities in accepting their

members living with autism. Any parent is likely to experience a significant reaction upon learning

that a member of their family has autism. The ramifications of this statement are extensive, and

they have a wide range of long-term effects. Parents’ reactions can range from shock to fear and

Instructor Comment.

Where did this information come from?

confusion. Others might have a sense of relief, better comprehension, and rekindled hope for the

future. It is obvious that each parent will read this phrase’s meanings differently.

However, when cultural factors are taken into account, the gap is even more obvious. The

immediate implication for parents from some cultures may be that their child will be eligible for

more support and will have easier access to services as a result of the formal diagnosis, whereas

the implication for parents from other cultures may be that their child will have less access to

services. Some cultures have norms, believes and values that promote integration of people living

with autism in the society. On the other hand, there are other cultures that label people with

disabilities as unwanted and worthless in the community (Barrio et al., 2019). These cultures affect

the acceptance abilities of families with members living with autism.

Family’s provision necessary to promote victim’s adaptability and development:

Community and culture support help families accept and move on easily and faster than

those that do not support them. For parents who face shame and denial due to culture labeling can

face difficulties in providing and taking care of their children. For the unable parents, receiving

emotional and financial support from other members of the community can be hard and some

receive none at all. The fear of vaccination in some communities is also associated with the

influence of cultural norms and beliefs. The biological treatment of autism is also influenced by

beliefs and traditions (Fong&Lee, 2017). Many myths and beliefs trigger the hesitation to get

vaccines. One prevalent assumption concerning vaccination is the necessity of vaccines, as some

cultures consider excellent nutrition and basic hygiene to be sufficient methods of disease

prevention. Due to the fact that some individuals still get sick after receiving a vaccination, some

people assume that vaccines are ineffective.

Long term impacts of Culture on ASD

Rejection from family and other society members:

Varied cultures have different ways of diagnosing and comprehending ASD. Autism

sufferers and their families face shame and rejection in those cultures who think that illnesses like

autism are the consequence of a curse, evil spirits, or even poor parenting (Kang-Yi, 2018). When

parents take their autistic children out, for instance, they can experience the stigma that many

cultures around the world attach to autism. People in many nations perceive autism as a cause of

disappointment, aggravation, embarrassment, or worse in various ways and to varying degrees.

Some studies suggest that stigma may prevent families from getting their children the care they

need, from fully engaging in their communities, and from experiencing the same quality of life as

their peers. In other words, stigma affects public health.

Because stigma is a consequence of culture, it may take on a varied appearance depending

on an individual’s background. Autism sufferers and their families experience the same feelings of

humiliation and exclusion as those whose characteristics make them stand out from the crowd.

However, there are some particularities of autism that have produced an almost ideal storm for

rejection and guilt. The majority of people with autism do not have distinguishable facial features,

like those of people with Down syndrome, nor do they frequently use wheelchairs or canes to

signal to others that they are unable. As a result, people can attribute their peculiar conduct to poor

parenting, a dangerous lack of restraint, or mental illness. That might make stigmatization more

difficult. Compared to those who care for people with intellectual or physical disability, parents of

autistic children reported feeling more ostracized (Kang-Yi, 2018).

Instructo’sr comment:

individuals with autism

Social phobia:

Social anxiety is brought on by the stigmatization, disapproval, shame, and exclusion of

autistic persons in various communities. Other cultures accommodate and support the autism

community resulting to long-term and positive relations between the people with autism and other

members of the community. Cultures that label autistic people as unwanted and worthless subject

them to social phobia. People with autism may have fear engaging in social interactions and

relationship as it may cause the irrational anxiety, fear and embarrassment. They may not engage

talks or social situations for the fear of being judged, humiliated or concern about offending other

people.

Challenging behaviors:

Culture shapes behavior. People are entitled to act or behave in a way that is labeled as

appropriate by culture. Cultural background gives people a sense of identity or who they are.

Children respond to unique cultural influences since birth. These influences include beliefs and

norms around expression, religion, language, and food. The influence on the elements may affect

the way children develop socially, emotionally, physically, and linguistically. People with autism

require understanding and special treatment when bringing them up. Sticking to the unique cultural

parenting practices may bring challenges to the development of children with autism. To counter

these practices children, develop challenging behavior.

Rigid routines and resistance to change:

Culture plays a role in shaping a routine in a community. Different communities have

different set of instructions or actions designed in performing certain tasks. A consistency in these

actions is what is referred to as a routine. A change in routine for people with autism could lead to

anxiety. People with autism find unexpected changes in routine difficult and stressful. In situations

Instructor comment

This needs a citation

same

Explain more about this. What is unique about parenting children with ASD. What might parents have to do differently to previent or treat challenging behaviors?

[…]

where culture dictates a certain routine to all people regardless of people’s conditions may cause

resistance from various groups. People with autism require consistency in situations which help

them deal with the situations easily. They are entitled to unique routines in situation that, when

culture imposes changes in them, it may cause resistance to change.

Cultural interventions

Integration of replacement behaviors:

Because there is no known cause for autism and the diagnosis of the illness mainly relies

on behavioral criteria, which differ greatly between countries, autism interpretations and

treatments are particularly vulnerable to cultural influences. Additionally, the variety of treatments

available, including behavioral, cognitive, pharmacological, sensory, relational, vitamin, and diet

therapies, makes it more likely that treatment decisions will be based on regional beliefs and values

(Fong&Lee, 2017). This is because there are no universally accepted, scientifically valid

treatments. The ideal way to serve clients from different cultural origins is to address their needs

in light of the sociocultural settings of their prior developmental histories and present adaptive

environments, according to a program that is culturally sensitive. When evaluating, creating, and

implementing the program as well as how to approach the clinician-client relationship, such a

program incorporates an appropriate cultural perspective. A behavioral intervention that works for

one demographic might not work for another. Every intervention incorporates certain cultural

values and expectations into its objectives and the methods it employs to achieve them. Desired

outcomes are likely, including high levels of involvement and reaction to therapy, when these

values and expectations coincide with those of the family receiving the intervention. 10