Emerging_Issues

Emerging Issues Introduction Homosexuality and autism are two topics seen recently in psychological research. Homeosexuality is considered unnormal and an abomination. This is the thoughts of people that do not understand and are afraid of anything that is different from their own perceived ideals. Autism is a broad spectrum of issues that have no known cause or successful treatment. Research has given scientists a false sense of justification for social prejudices in matters such as these. Autism Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterized by impaired social interactions, deficits in verbal and nonverbal responses and repetitive behaviors (Chlebowski, Green, Barton, & Fein, 2010). There are however, no reliable diagnostic criteria available for autism. Autism will present itself differently in each child. Autism is the most widely talked about childrens disorder as well as the most disputed (Padgett, 2007). The research on autism has changed greatly in the last decade. The issue mainly revolves around how society feels toward autistic indivduals. Society tends to ignore or fear autism. Individuals will often cross the street to avoid passing by an autistic child. This writer has heard it said, “They don’t care, they don’t even know”. This is a fallacy, autistic children may not be able to express themselves but they do understand and feel. Autism is not a condition that affects just the child. Autism affects the family, educators, and health care proffesionals as well. Autism is a culture all of its own. Autistic people and loved ones tend to gravitate to similar cases. They are often times shunned by society and in response have formed close-knit groups in order to maintian a sense of normalicy. Forty years ago, parents with autistic children were assaulted with the broad array of symptoms of autism. Doctors and psychologists were rarely helpful (Rogers, 1999). Autism was blamed on the parent’s behavior and lack of inapporpriate feelings and care. One mothers experience with society and autism is completely different from anothers. “It is hard to ignore the sideways glance, looks of pity and downright fear when faced with taking your autistic child to a store, resturant or other public place” (Borwn, 2011). This writer conducted an interview for another class this past November and found that parents still fight the discrimination of society. Society not only discriminates against the austistic individual but also against the parent and families of them as well. Ms Brown has been suscepted to comments such as”can’t you control him'”, and “you should out him away someplace where he won’t hurt anyone!” Comments like these damage a person’s mental health. These types of comments are not only made to parents and caretakers but are made in the presence of the autistic individual as well, with absolutly no concern for the damage it can do. Education is the key. Society needs to educated in what autism is and who people with autism are. It is amazing to find that people such as Dr. Temple Grandin live a normal life and can overlook the hurt and anger that society has to offer them (Grandin, 2011). Homosexuality Homosexuals are forced to suffer discrimination virtually everywhere they go. Even the United States armed Forces are guilty of discrimination against homosexuals. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule is a means of allowing this discrimination without accepting or denying fault. The armed forces have managed to compare homosexuality to racial groups with a history of exclusions (Butler, 1993). This self-built safety net is simply false. Homosexuals are not like African Americans and cannot be treated the same. Society has a sense of wrongfullness when it comes to homosexuality. Homosexuality is a sin because God says so. This is a form of stereotyping that is stagnated in supposed logic. Conclusion The history of science is filled with examples of scientists who have alluded themselves into believing their measurements justified the social prejusices of their day (Herness, 1998). The Autism Society of America (ASA) is a large factor in the treatment, diagnosis, and acceptance of autism. The Autism Society of America is a network of volunteers who teach, provide services, and conduct research for autistic indivduals. The members of the Autism Society of America have been in the forefront of advocacy for autism treatment, education, and research (Rogers, 1999). Homosexuals are forced to face prejusdice and hate crimes even at the hands of their government. It is necessary for our country to educate and eliminate social prejudices. References Borwn, R. (2011, November 22). A personal look at Autism. (P. Welty, Interviewer) Butler, J. (1993). Homosexuals and the Military Establishment. Society , 31(1), 13. Chlebowski, C. G. (2010). Using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale to Diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders , 40(7), 787-799. Grandin, D. T. (2011). Temple Responds to Questions! Retrieved from Temple Grandin PH.D.: http://templegrandin.com/ Herness, S. (1998). Less than Objective: The Corrupted Science of Being Different. Journal Of Sex Research , 35(1), 117. Padgett, G. (2007). Myths and mysteries about autism. Grand Magazine , 3(5), 52. Rogers, S. (1999). Intervention for young children with autism: from research to practice. Infants & Young Children: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Special Care Practices , 12(2), 1.