Autism spectrum disorder or ASD, is a brain development condition that causes communication and social delays and difficulties. The spectrum in Autism spectrum disorder refers to the many different challenges and strengths that people with this disability exhibit. Several medical conditions are included in ASD that were previously considered their own thing, namely Asperger’s syndrome. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, and because it often occurs side by side with ADHD, anxiety, and/or learning disabilities, autism can be difficult to diagnose in both children and adults.
Myths
Only Children are Diagnosed with Autism
While autism is a life-long disability, some people go through childhood and early adulthood without a proper diagnosis. As kids, they become aware that some of their natural behaviors are “not normal” so they are socialized to change or hide them, which can be incredibly stressful and damaging long term. It’s a bit like being born left-handed and then forced to write with your right. While possible, it is uncomfortable. This leads to some autistic folks reaching adulthood without receiving a diagnosis of ASD until they seek out help for other conditions like anxiety or depression.
Autism Makes People Emotionless
Some folks with ASD have what is described as a “flat affect”, or a lack of facial expressions or a more monotone voice, which might be where this myth came from. Obviously, people with autism feel a variety of emotions, just like everyone else, they may just have different ways of expressing emotions.
Mysteries
The Cause
We don’t know what causes autism. It’s not vaccines, the research has ruled out that old myth. There is evidence that there is a genetic component, and/or environmental causes but there isn’t one particular cause.
What We Know
Autism Looks Different for Everyone
Not all people with ASD have trouble maintaining eye contact or speaking but some do. Because autism impacts a number of different areas of development, there are some autistic people who require more support in one area. Some folks require more support in multiple areas, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or social skills classes. Some have sensory processing difficulty, where they can become overwhelmed in situations with loud noises, crowds, or bright lighting. Because autism is a spectrum, supports should be individualized based on the strengths, needs, and goals of each individual person.
There is a lot of misinformation about autism out there, and there is still a lot we don’t know. What we do know is that folks with autism think differently and perceive the world in a different way than other neurotypical peers.
Further Reading:
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