Interview Questions: First-hand Experience with Autism
In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?
What is your patient care philosophy?
Why have you decided to work with autism?
Are there different ways to handle each spectrum disorder, or are they handled similarly?
Environmental factors supposedly influence brain development at different stages, does this also mean those with ASD have weaker immune systems?
Have you interviewed mothers who may have smoked cigarettes while they were pregnant?
Does low maternal Vitamin D levels contribute to ASD?
How did you/could you avoid mothers unwilling to answer questions regarding substance usage honestly? This is a big reason as to why it is difficult to scientifically prove where ASD may come from.
If mother’s had a mental health condition, could this contribute to their children having ASD?
Have you seen certain patterns with dietary factors that contribute to ASD?
How much time have you put into studying the neurodevelopment of ASD in comparison to the environment impacts?
There is an association of chemical polychlorinated biphenyls and cognitive impairment; can this be an association with ASD as well?
What is the most important message you would like people to know about autism?
Myths about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
In my report essay, I will be studying the possible causes of autism. There have been many myths on what are the etiological agents of autism. Some believe that autism can be caused by injections, while others believe that it only affects children. All these speculations lack clear evidence or literature to support it. In this research, I will be using the literature: Maternal lifestyle and environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders to find out the scientific facts on Autism (Lyall, Rebecca, and Irva, 443). The literature states that environmental factors may have a significant impact on Autism. Moreover, maternal alcohol consumption can sometimes be damaging. However only few studies have been conducted linking autism disorder with maternal alcohol use. According to Lyall, Rebecca, and Irva (2014), fatty acids can also lead to ASD. Lastly was air pollution; air pollution indeed has a direct impact on the bodies of humans.
I will be interviewing Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari, a man who has been in practice with Autism Spectrum Disorders for over 18 years. He has a Ph. D. in Psychology, is certified in Neurofeedback, and specializes in mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorders. I met Dr. Ferrari in a job interview roughly a year ago in his own Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback office. I did not receive a job offer, but he was kind enough to offer a free consultation for my brother who has a mild case of autism. We did not take the offer, but Dr. Ferrari was always open to any discussion regarding ASD. He has first-hand experience with those with ASD and has done a multitude of research regarding it.
I hope to find the closest scientific truth of where Autism Spectrum Disorders may come from. I want readers come to a more understanding of the compassion needed for those with ASD. I feel that the myths about ASD make people scorn many with the condition and despise medical practices that can be remarkably important to one’s health.
Work Cited
Lyall, Kristen, Rebecca J. Schmidt, and Irva Hertz-Picciotto. “Maternal lifestyle and environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders.” International journal of epidemiology 43.2 (2014): 443-464.
