Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Essay Example The clear-cut linkage between ASD in these instances notwithstanding, the causes of ASD remain unclear in higher than 90% of all instances, but in the current studies, a lot of focus is directed to proving the genetic linkages by identifying the specific genes allied to autism. Meanwhile, in the absence of concrete genetic evidence for autism, documented empirical data concerning autism cases provides a basis for the estimation of recurrence risk, which has been found to be about 5% when only one child in a family is affected but considerably higher than that to about 25% when more than one child is affected. Rate of recurrence risk is also determined by sex of the foetus because a male foetus has been found to be about 3-4 times more likely to develop autism than a female foetus; in this respect, the recurrence risk in accordance to sex is about 2% for a female foetus but close to 8% for a male foetus. In understanding the etiology of ASD, professionals in the field of medicine have proposed several theoretic frameworks; for instance, Gerrad and Rugg 2009 propose the development of a standardized framework for analysing autistic characteristics to facilitate the identification of subgroups and the location of biological markers for genetic variation (Gerrad and Rugg 2009, p.1449). The two also support the neuroconstructivist model that contends that peripheral sensual defects interrupt compilation of complex skills, influence synapto-genesis, synaptic pruning and myelination, and manifests themselves as autistic conducts. Of all the cognitive-developmental disorders, autism is perhaps the most clearly genetically determined and by combining universal rates of autism and sibling recurrence, there emerges a simple genetic model that categorizes... This essay stresses that Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) represents a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that manifest in infants less than 3 years of age and lasts for a lifetime; autistic children present with impairments in social interaction, communication and repetitive patterns of behaviour. Cases of infantile autism are prevalent in the world today with males being overrepresented with a rate of sibling recurrence risk that is nearly 4 to 5 times higher than females in families. The etiological foundation of autism is highly elusive to clinicians in the world, but the genetic explanation prevalent in current research is attributable to the observations that the rate of recurrence of autism in the siblings of autistic individuals is much higher than the rate of recurrence in the general population. This paper makes a conclusion that one of the most influential theoretic models in existence insofar as autism is concerned, the neuroconstructivist model, posits that compilation of complex skills, synapto-genesis, synaptic pruning and myelination are disrupted by peripheral sensory abnormalities. In the educational settings, autistic children mainly struggle with communication and social interaction problems, with difficulties particularly in both verbal and non-verbal communication, in addition to the ability to interact with peers in leisure or play activities. Autistic children present a myriad of challenges to educational settings because unlike neurotypical children, autistic children require special interventions.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Research Paper

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - Research Paper Example INTRODUCTION This paper shall discuss the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA), which is a United States federal law passed mainly to ensure accounting transparency as mandated by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It also includes provisions meant to address the bribery of foreign officials. This paper shall discuss the act, including its pertinent details and essential provisions, as well as its reasons for passage and application. II. BODY The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is a law which includes specific provisions on accounting and prohibitions on bribery (Cook and Connor, p. 2). The accounting provisions of the law are meant to prohibit illegal accounting practices which are often carried out to conceal corrupt practices. The provisions are also meant to guarantee that company shareholders, including the Securities and Exchange Commission are given an accurate picture of corporate status and finances (Cook and Connor, 2010). This law covers two groups of corporate per sonalities, first are â€Å"those with formal ties to the United States and those who take action in furtherance of a violation while in the United States† (Cook and Connor, 2010, P. 2). The US issuers and domestic concerns are required to heed the provisions of the FCPA, regardless of their actions being within or outside the US territories. Issuers are companies with securities in the US or those which are legally called for to regularly report with the US SEC (Cook and Connor, 2010). On the other hand, those under domestic concerns have a wider coverage, and include individuals or residents of the US. Corporations, partnerships, business trusts, sole proprietorships, and like entities are also covered under domestic concerns, for as long as their main place of business is in the US or their governing provisions are under the US laws (Cook and Connor, 2010). This act holds corporations and other entities legally liable for bribing foreign officials even if such act was carr ied out beyond American shores and throughout the years, various violators have been prosecuted under these provisions. The basic provisions of this law hold the following practices as illegal: â€Å"1) a payment, offer, authorization, or promise to pay money or anything of value; 2) to a foreign government official (including a party official of manager of a state owned concern), or to any other person knowing that the payment of promise will be passed on to a foreign official; 3) with a corrupt motive; 4) for the purpose of (a) influencing any act or decision of that person, (b) inducing such person to do or omit any action in violation of his lawful duty, (c) securing an improper advantage, or (d) inducing such person to use his influence to affect an official act or decision; 5) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing any business to, any person† (FCPA, in Cook and Connor, 2010, p. 2). Individuals and corporate entities violating th e provisions of this law can be held criminally liable and may be imprisoned and/or fined for their actions (Biegelman and Biegelman, 2010). The law also provides a generalized definition for what is to be qualified as ‘payment’ punishable under the FCPA. The FCPA defines these payments to cover any benefits (monetary or otherwise) given or gifted to a foreign official in order to curry favorable treatment in business activities with the involved foreign official (Cook and Connor,