What is an ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurological disorder. It affects the way you think and the way you understand the world. Basically the brain doesn’t process information in the same way as a person who doesn’t have an ASD. People with an ASD think differently.
Most people with an ASD noticed as being “different” or “eccentric.” People don’t often realize they have a disorder because they are not always impaired in basic intelligence.
Life can be very stressful for people with ASDs because they have to work very hard to understand others who think so differently & try to fit in with them. Many things that come naturally to a neurotypical person have to be learned by a person with an ASD.
Everyone with an ASD is unique, but will have some similar symptoms:
It’s not all bad, people with an ASD can also be:
People with an ASD often have one or more of the following co-morbid conditions or symptoms of these conditions as well:
Everyone is different! Whether someone has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), another disorder, or no disorder, we are all unique. We look different. We act different. We think different. We have different likes & dislikes. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
How can you help?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurological disorder. It affects the way you think and the way you understand the world. Basically the brain doesn’t process information in the same way as a person who doesn’t have an ASD. People with an ASD think differently.
Most people with an ASD noticed as being “different” or “eccentric.” People don’t often realize they have a disorder because they are not always impaired in basic intelligence.
Life can be very stressful for people with ASDs because they have to work very hard to understand others who think so differently & try to fit in with them. Many things that come naturally to a neurotypical person have to be learned by a person with an ASD.
Everyone with an ASD is unique, but will have some similar symptoms:
- Difficulties socializing (understanding, relating to, & getting along well or connecting with others); are often “loners,” & don’t have many or any friends
- Difficulties recognizing verbal & nonverbal cues (facial expression, eyes, body language, tone of voice) which makes it hard to know what others are thinking & feeling
- Difficulties understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
- Difficulty communicating thoughts & feelings (often affects their ability to write & not recognizing the importance of communicating something, some are not verbal)
- Inability to see the large picture while focusing on irrelevant details (difficulty identifying and sequencing the parts of a task)
- Thinks literally (difficulties understanding figurative language)
- Very visual thinkers (often think in pictures)
- Sensory issues (hypersentitive to lights, sounds , smells, touch); may have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel because they overwhelm their senses (people with autism can hear up to 8Xs louder than we do)
- Sometimes not flexible in thinking (can get “stuck” on a thought, difficulties understanding someone else’s point of view)
- May give answers that seem unrelated to questions
- Avoid eye contact
- More comfortable with routines; may be upset by minor changes
- Have limited or even obsessive interests
- Flap their hands, rock their body, spin in circles, etc. (“stimming” – things used to calm them down in stressful or overstimulating situations)
- May experience meltdowns or rages in response to very stressful situations because they don’t know how to handle emotions due to limited communication & social skills
- May appear defiant at times, but are usually incapable of responding as we expect in these situations
It’s not all bad, people with an ASD can also be:
- Above average intelligence
- Critical & individual thinkers (often think outside the box)
- Have an easier time processing factual information
- Know a lot about certain areas of interest & can be very successful in those areas
- Hard working
- Honest
People with an ASD often have one or more of the following co-morbid conditions or symptoms of these conditions as well:
- SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Anxiety disorders (OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, etc.)
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Tourette's Syndrome
- Epilepsy/Seizures
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Schizophrenia
- Dyspraxia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalcula
- Hyperlexia
- Hypotonia
- Synaethesia
- Alexithymia
- Apraxia
- Echololia
- Intellectual Disability
- Nenverbal Learnind Disorder
- Mitochondral Disease
- Metabolic Disorders
- Thyroid Disorders
- Sleep Disturbance / Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal Disorder / Chrnic Constipation or Diarrhea
- Celiac Disease
- Food / Enironmental Allergies
- Strabismus
Everyone is different! Whether someone has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), another disorder, or no disorder, we are all unique. We look different. We act different. We think different. We have different likes & dislikes. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
How can you help?
- Be aware that those who seem “different” might have an ASD (many are even undiagnosed)
- Be accepting of differences (remember not everything has to be done our way!)
- Be patient with them (yes, I know this is asking a lot!)
- Be understanding (try to put yourself in their position)
- Be supportive of their efforts & encourage them to achieve academically & socially while understanding their limitations
- Be kind & respectful to all (you never know who may have this or some other disability, or even what they deal with at home, or what kind of a day they are having…a little kindness goes a long way!)
- Reach out to those who don’t seem to fit in, include those who are different & encourage others to also
- Understand that they want to make friends & be a good friend to others
- Explain things in another way if they don’t seem to get it
- Talk to people more literally if they seem to have an ASD (say exactly what you mean)
- Tell them if they’ve done or said anything to upset or offend you (be specific & clear), they might not realize it
- When you feel the need to discipline a child that you don’t know or make a comment to a parent you don't know, remember it can be done with kindness, respect & concern for the child. Asking questions is obviously welcomed more than parenting advice or scolding children (they may have an ASD which could explain the meltdowns due to their senses being overwhelmed in different or stressful situations)
- Be sensitive to their reactions & realize there might be a reason why they respond the way they do
- Treat everyone the way you would want to be treated...with respect and kindness!