UNDERSTANDING AUTISM

UNDERSTANDING AUTISM
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction , behavior and sensory processing. It is called a “spectrum disorder” because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms, abilities, and challenges that can vary greatly from person to person. Here are some of the key points to help explain autism:
1. Communication Challenges:
People with autism often have difficulties with both verbal and nonverbal communication. Some may have delayed speech development or struggle with understanding and using language effectively. Others might have a rich vocabulary but struggle with maintaining conversations or interpreting nonverbal cues like gestures and facial expressions.
2. Social Interaction Difficulties:
Persons with autism may find it challenging to understand and engage in social interactions. They might have difficulty making friends, understanding social norms and grasping the perspective of others. This may lead to social isolation or misunderstanding.
3. Repetitive Behaviors and Special Interests:
Many persons with autism engage in repetitive behaviors or have intense focused interests in specific topics. These behaviors can include repetitive movements (like hand flapping), insistence on routines and intense preoccupations with specific subjects.
4. Sensory Sensitivities:
Sensory sensitivities are common among individuals with autism. They might be hyperactive to certain to certain sensory stimuli (eg loud noises, bright lights or certain textures) or hyposensitive (eg having a reduced sensitivity to pain). These sensitivities can impact how they experience and interact with their environment.
5. Strengths and Challenges:
Autism is usually associated with certain strengths, such as strong attention to detail and creativity. However, challenges in communication, social interactions and sensory processing can impact daily life and function.
6. Early Intervention:
Early intervention is crucial in helping individuals with autism develop necessary skills and overcome challenges. Occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy and behavior therapy among other interventions can help improve communication, social skills and daily living skills.
7. Support and Accommodations:
Many individuals with autism benefit from support and accommodations to help them navigate the world effectively. These can include visual aids, social skills training, sensory, sensory friendly environments and assistive communication devices.
8. Neurodiversity:
Many in the autism community advocate for the concept of neurodiversity, which emphasizes the idea that neurological differences including autism, should be recognized and accepted as a natural part of human diversity. It encourages understanding and support rather than focusing solely on “fixing” or “normalizing” individuals with autism. It is important to understand that every person with autism is unique, and their experiences and challenges can vary widely. While these points provide a general overview of autism, it is important to approach each individual with an open mind and willingness to understand and support their specific needs.

AUTISTIC TRAITS (an extensive list)
THINGS TO REMEMBER!
> No child with autism will have every trait listed
> Autistic traits are a spectrum creating a diversity of possibilities
> Every person with autism displays different traits during different circumstances and at varying degrees
> Identity of a person as an autistic is not formed by how many traits they have in this list
> The list will not have every autistic trait out there because who they are is infinite.

THE TRAITS!
* need for sameness/consistency (talk of routines)
* stimming with any of the senses
* under or overreaction to any of the senses
* eye contact is painful or uncomfortable
* meltdowns
* shutdowns
* photographic memory
* difficult with memory (short or long term)
* difficulty understanding timelines
* detail oriented (in seeing, thinking, speaking etc)
* tends to see the details rather than the bigger picture
* emotional regulation difficulty
* black and white thinking
* auditory processing issues
* sensory issues (over or under stimulation)
* social withdrawal
* does not read social cues
* cannot switch from one task to another on demand
* proprioception difficulties (stimuli to body movement & action)
* nonspeaking, semi-speaking & hyperverbal
* displays different facial expressions for emotions we’re feeling eg smiles when we’re sad
* trouble expressing ideas, thoughts and needs to others
* gives up on tasks not easily overcome
* trouble focusing
* needs repetition of instructions
* not a fan of small talk
* verbosity (being wordiness or using more words than needed)
* considered gifted or savant (a person with high level of knowhow/skill in one area, but usually less able in other fields)
* hands on/visual learners
* difficulty in lying (blatantly honest folks)
* different gait or posture
* has a different tone of voice, maybe monotone sometimes
* difficulty in understanding social hierarchies (eg teacher/parent is in charge)
* difficulties in taking turns (eg when it is our turn to speak)
* experiences intense, overwhelming emotions
* tantrums
* may not be interested in fantasy
* very rule oriented, it is hard to accept when rules are changed
* trouble understanding personal space
* interest in objects
* sensory seeking or sensory avoidance
* scripting – conversation rehearsing (echolalial and social scripting)
* copying another person’s mannerism (talk of social scripting)
* food selectivity (picky eaters/ same food lovers)
* impulsivity
* hyperactivity
* short attention span
* problems with fine or gross motor skills
* trouble understanding body language and facial expressions
* difficulty seeing from another persons perspective
* difficulties with interoception (not knowing when hungry or when to go to toilet)
* prolonged staring/eaves dropping
* lack of fear towards danger
* sees, interacts with, understands and interprets the world in a completely different way
* sensitivity to the moods, energy and emotions around us
* difficulty telling left from right and compass directions
* stronger connections to animals
* intuition or sixth sense
* separation anxiety
* inability to multitask
* low or high threshold for feeling things physically (pain, heat, cold)

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