Date of Award
2001
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Reader
Dr. Randall Wight
Second Reader
Dr. Faye Kucera
Third Reader
Professor Corliss Smith
Abstract
Autism is a disorder that affects one out of every one thousand children. It occurs more frequently in boys than in girls and brings with it complications that deprive those affected of a nom1al life. One such individual is a boy named Tyler Kubinski. Tyler is a twelve-year-old severely autistic child from Paragould, Arkansas. Tyler's world is limited by his inability to speak or communicate further than a scream or contorted laugh. He does not frighten or agitate easily but will strike out fiercely with his muscular legs or well-aimed spit to anyone nearby. Tyler does not interact with his brother or classmates in a personal way but spends hours every day running from room to room tearing up cardboard into pieces. I was given the opportunity to work as Tyler's personal care aide last summer as he could not be cared for well in normal childcare. While working with Tyler I was able to make observations concerning his autism and use my knowledge about the disorder to offer suggestions to his family about treatments for him.
Recommended Citation
Ussery, Brandy, "Combating an Elusive Enemy: Understanding Autism" (2001). Honors Theses. 156.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/honors_theses/156