Autism at a Glance
7 Mar 2023
by
Noetic
5
minute read
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person acts and communicates with the world around them. The medical term Autism Spectrum Condition uses ‘spectrum’ to reflect how everyone's experience of autism is different and the impact within their life is different. It is therefore difficult to generalise autism and its traits, although common characteristics associated with autism include difficulty with social interactions and communication.
Autism is not an illness - it just means an autistic person’s brain works differently to a neurotypical person’s brain. This means autism doesn’t have a ‘cure’, but there is a range of support options available for those who need it.
Causes
Currently, the cause of autism is unknown, although there is some evidence to suggest a genetic link. For many years, scientists have been trying to identify the genes involved in autism. It is likely there are multiple genes and some environmental factors involved.
There are some hereditary factors associated with autism, such as autism in the family, birth events associated with the central nervous system, and premature birth before 35 weeks. Experiencing these things does not mean someone will definitely have autism, but there is a higher likelihood of them having autism compared to those who don’t experience these.
One of the most persistent myths about autism is that it can be caused by vaccines. This is not true. Diet, childhood trauma, and infections also cannot cause autism.
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💪 Strengths
🔍 Attention to detail: Many autistic people have strong attention to detail and can focus intently on specific tasks or areas of interest. 🐘 Memory: Some autistic people have excellent memory skills and can remember facts, dates, and details with incredible accuracy. 🧩 Logical thinking: Many autistic people have strong problem-solving and analytical skills, and can think logically and methodically. 👩🎨 Creativity: Some autistic people have a unique and creative way of thinking, which can lead to innovative ideas and approaches. 🙏 Honesty and loyalty: Autistic people are often known for their honesty and loyalty, and can be very straightforward and sincere in their interactions with others.
🏔️Struggles
➡️ Communication and social interactions: Some autistic people might communicate differently or find some social scenarios overwhelming. ➡️ Sensory overload: Some autistic people experience certain stimuli, such as textures, sounds, or lights, differently from those around them. ➡️ Understanding how other people think and feel: Some autistic people may find it challenging to interpret or predict the emotions, thoughts, and intentions of others ➡️ Discomfort in unfamiliar settings: Routine and familiarity can be comforting for some autistic people so unfamiliar events can be anxiety-inducing. ➡️ Meltdowns and shutdowns: When feeling overwhelmed, some autistic people experience meltdowns or shutdowns as a ‘fight or freeze’ response.