Running head: DIAGNOSIS: AUTISM ANALYSIS

Analysis of Diagnosis: Autism Alyssa N. Ortega The University of Texas at El Paso

DIAGNOSIS: AUTISM ANALYSIS

Analysis of Diagnosis: Autism In todays day and age it is apparent that more and more children are being diagnosed with learning disabilities, more specifically autism. Many see this as a bad thing and are claiming an epidemic of over-diagnosis, whereas others see it as a good thing. The group that agrees more frequent diagnosis is a blessing rather than a curse, believe that today sees more diagnosis because of the new advanced technology in the medical field. They believe these frequent and early diagnoses will make it easier to treat and provide aid to children and people affected. In a recent study covered by 60 Minutes, Karen M. Sughrue, follows a group of children and their doctors who are studying the effects of diagnosing autism early in these young children. In this video, ethos, pathos and logos are utilized in order to inform the audience of their theory regarding autism diagnosis. Purpose The main goal of this short segment is to inform people about early diagnosis of autism. The doctors in the studies are testing and developing new methods for diagnosis that have diagnosed children as young as six months old. To theses doctors early diagnosis and treatment is revolutionary and extremely influential to the development of cognitive ability and behavior in children who, determined by their test, fall on the Austin spectrum. To others though this early diagnosis proves to be faulty, as they believe many children grow out of these symptoms but not their diagnosis. Audience The intended audience in this is parents with either a newborn child or a toddler. Since the study revolves around catching the signs of autism at an early age and treating

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it, parents who have an older child with a pre-existing diagnosis are not the target audience. The majority of the segment revolves around the behavior and cognitive ability of children on the Autism spectrum versus child who are not. This is how the video appeals to an audience of parents with younger children rather than focus on parents in general. Ethos The credibility in this segment is shown in many different ways. The first way it is shown is by having the information presented by a well know television outlet such as CBS NEWS, on a well know informative show 60 Minutes. In this case the credibility the program and network already have built up provides automatic ethos. The second way ethos is shown is by having the information presented by the actual doctor, Sally Rodgers who has helped create this theory and is testing it. Since they have evidence to back up their claims and obvious qualifications in this field, their study and theory stand as credible. Yet even Rodgers admits that not all the time does their study prove to be correct. They admit that there are some cases where a child who shows the early signs and symptoms of autism do not fall on the spectrum. It is this honesty about their studies and findings that continues to add to their credibility. Another way they gain ethos is by not only interviewing the doctors but also interviewing a parent, Valerie Arias, who could possibly have three children on the autism spectrum. Her story and first hand experiences of diagnosis autism three different times at three different ages help to reinforce the ethos. The last way credibility is established is by showing the viewer the exact test and procedures these doctors are taking using advanced technology to diagnosis and treat autism.

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Pathos Because this study is so heavy on the facts and the theory, pathos is only presented in a few ways. The first time the viewer feels something is when the segment is about to begin and the narrator sets a tone of seriousness. Immediately the viewer knows this is a serious issue. The second time the viewer is meant to feel empathetic is when the narrator and doctors begin talking about a young child who is shown as dismissive and unresponsive. Yet quickly this feeling is replaced with a triumphant one as they explain his early diagnosis and treatment have normalized him in a sense. The narrator even makes a comment saying, "he even interacted with a stranger like me" (Diagnosis: Autism). Right after showing this success story, they move on to Arias who has an older son with autism. In this part, the mother explains how the signs were there since he was an infant but his diagnosis did not come till much later and because of that it head been rough on her family. This leaves the viewer feeling bad for the family shown in the segment once again. Next a study is shown where babies without autism are reacting to their mothers voices with joyous faces and sound and is then compared to that of autistic babies who do not make eye contact or give off any expression what so ever. This example brings a rise of pathos in the viewer, as it is heartbreaking to see a child not showing signs of happiness. The video cuts back to Arias with the older son and it is revealed that her middle son who is in middle school was recently diagnosed with a mild form of autism called Aspergers, and a lot of his past struggles begin to make sense. This gives the viewer a sense of defeat as this family is portrayed of taking another hit from autism and late diagnosis. Arias has another son who is still a baby, and they agree to have him observed by the doctors. During his first time with the doctors, the baby shows

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the signs of autism that were earlier discussed. This adds to the pathos as the viewer has seen the effect autism has had on the family already. When the child goes back for a second look, he doesn't show the signs of autism. This begins gives the viewer a sense that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for this family who is portrayed as beaten and bruised by autism. Logos Logically, the video covers the bases. The first way is by having the doctors give facts and conclusions from data they have collected. The studies they are running alone attribute to the logos of the piece. When the doctors talk about the symptoms of autism and autistic behavior such as; minimal communication, distant staring, and becoming distracted by simple objects, they are also appealing to logos because they are providing information that is useful and vital to the viewer. Also the statistics of children who have autism and their current status can also appeal to the logical side. One big one is the explanation of the technology they use. One machine tracks babies eye movements and determines where exactly a baby is staring on a mothers face. This helps them to determine if a baby is maintaining eye contact with a mother or not. Also the fact that this study is being run by doctors appeals greatly to the viewers logical sense. With this video segment, 60 Minutes, Karen M. Sughrue, and the doctors all succeeded in bring their theories and work to the American public. Through maintaining credibility and ethos their claims and theories were trusted and worthy of listening to. In order to fully reach their intended, primary audience of parents with young children, parts of the segment were used to appeal to the viewers pathos, using the viewers emotions as a hook to prove their point. To back up everything they also used facts and logical

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information, this appeals to the viewers logos. These three elements combined, make this segment a trustworthy, insightful, and interesting form of informing the audience.

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References Mirela magh. (2001, March 21). Diagnosis Autism [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVgPlURSad8