Assignment 1: Discussion—Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Epidemic

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has risen dramatically during the past few decades. Researchers are now calling it an urgent health matter; some are even calling it an epidemic. Between 1991 and 1999, the number of children in the United States receiving special education services for autism spectrum disorder rose 500%. The rate has nearly doubled in the past ten years across the country. In 2002, the rate of children with autism spectrum disorder was 1 in every 150 children. Currently, approximately 1 in every 88 children has autism spectrum disorder. This increase is happening not only in the United States; studies have found rates to be rising in Canada and across Europe, as well.

Using the module readings, the Argosy University online library resources and the Internet, research the increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder. Then, respond to the following:

• Identify and explain at least three possible causes for the increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder.
• Analyze why so many children are developing autism spectrum disorder.
  • Do you think the numbers have increased due to improved methods of identifying and diagnosing children with autism spectrum disorder? Why or why not?
  • Are there some environmental, genetic, or cultural reasons for the increase? Explain your answer.
• Recommend what we should do, as a society, to address this epidemic.

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources, including in-text citations and full references. Incorporate information from at least two academic sources to support your statements or ideas. Academic sources could include your textbook, required readings for this module, or academic journal articles found in the AU online library.

By Saturday, August 23, 2014, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Wednesday, August 27, 2014, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses. Provide a statement of clarification, a point of view with rationale, challenge a point of discussion, or draw a relationship between one or more points of the discussion. Consider commenting on the following:

• Evaluate your peers’ theories about the possible causes of the increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder.
• Suggest additional theories or ideas you have developed after reviewing the required materials and conducting research.
• Suggest additional environmental, genetic, or cultural reasons for the increased cases of autism spectrum disorder.
• Evaluate your peers’ recommendations about what society should do about the epidemic.
• Provide interesting resources, Web sites, or references for academic research articles you found during your research. Summarize the researched information for your peers.

Grading Criteria and Rubric

Assignment 1: Assault in the City: CST and Criminal Responsibility at the Time of Offense

Click here to study a vignette.

Tasks:

On the basis of the vignette you read, respond to the following:

• Define competency and indicate the standard used for juvenile and adult competency. Discuss how a CST evaluation is conducted, including any assessment instruments relevant in this particular vignette.
• On the basis of the information you have from the vignette, provide an opinion on the defendant’s competence.
• Discuss the assessment of criminal responsibility by addressing the following:
  • Present the standards used for criminal responsibility in your jurisdiction. This information can be obtained through an Internet search regarding the state law.
  • Discuss the assessment procedures for an examination of MSO and the possible outcomes of NGRI and GBMI.

Submission Details:

• By Saturday, September 20, 2014, post your responses to this Discussion Area.
• Through Wednesday, September 24, 2014, respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. While responding, compare the similarities and differences between what you have constructed and what your classmates have.

Page 1 of 1 Psychology and the Legal System

© 2013 Argosy University

Assault in the City The chief asks Dr. Johnson to conduct a competency to stand trial (CST) evaluation and a criminal responsibility evaluation, referred to as the mental state at the time of an offense (MSO), of the defendant. Dr. Johnson must report her findings to the court. She has already seen media publicity suggesting the prosecutor is going to play “hard ball” and wants to try the young man as an adult and seek the longest possible prison sentence. The chief recommends a CST evaluation and an MSO evaluation so, as he says, “nothing will come back to bite them” after the trial. Although she finds the young man’s alleged behavior reprehensible, she feels confident she can conduct an objective evaluation. She has interviewed the individual and understands his low intelligence quotient (IQ) and dysfunctional family background as mitigating factors. Although she does not wish to advocate for the defendant, she feels he may not be competent to go to trial. She prepares to conduct the CST and MSO evaluations. However, the day before the examination is scheduled, her fifteen-year-old daughter tells her the man was a “friend” on her computer social network. She recognized his face from the news and told her mother after her mother mentioned she was working on this case. The daughter denies having ever met the man and states her page is set so “anyone can be my friend; it doesn’t mean I know them!” Dr. Johnson must now conduct the evaluations objectively, although she feels her daughter may have been threatened. She realizes this connection is insufficient to withdraw from the case.