Autism: A little Understanding goes a long way

Just a little Understanding of Autism

The statistics tell us autism is on the rise; probably more common than 1 in 68 children. Maybe you’ve heard that statistic but aren’t sure how that really impacts you. Do you know autism doesn’t just affect kids? A person with autism doesn’t “grow out of autism”.  Autism affects the way a person thinks and acts for their whole life.  That statistic means you may be interacting with someone with this developmental disorder in the checkout line, at work or in a restaurant more often than you might guess.  Generally, you may pick up on some “quirkiness” or you might even think that person is just rude in how they deal with you.  A little understanding of autism might help you respond with kindness.  

Autism is a spectrum of disorders, so each person is unique.  A child with autism typically is not born with “natural” social skills.  In fact, how humans interact, use non-verbal communication and understand unwritten social rules makes no sense to someone with autism.  Don’t assume that the “loner” just wants to be left alone.  They may not know how to interact with you in a “normal” way, so they keep to themselves. 

Another area affected by autism is communication.  Sometimes words just don’t have meaning or are taken too literally.  “What do you mean ‘it’s raining cats and dogs!’?” The person with autism may be struggling to make sense of what you have said.

Furthermore, their senses (hearing, touch, etc.) can be out of sync.  This means they are bothered by normal sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches that may make them feel they are under attack. That buzzing light, potent perfume and itchy tag, that you don’t even notice, can cause a major meltdown.  Add any change in their environment or routine and their stress level cannot be contained.  Structure and order help people with autism deal with the challenges they struggle with every day.

Another common struggle is getting “stuck” in thought. Sometimes it's difficult to change their line of thinking, hence that obsession with trains. There are sometimes repetitive behaviors which help people with autism cope with anxiety and bring comfort and stability in a seemingly random, chaotic world.  They are too frequently mistaken as being rude or having a tantrum, but they may be reacting to what they cannot understand or what they consider a threat. 

People with autism are smart, funny, talented, unique, loving and special. They make our world a better place.  You can make their world a better place by being understanding and kind.  People with autism are dealing with a great number of difficult challenges. They are odd and quirky not by choice. They may lash out or react in a disturbing way but it may be their best defense against a world that seems hostile to them. They may make you uncomfortable, but understand they are not intentionally doing so.  Please be patient and kind the next time you are interacting with someone who is quirky, odd or annoying.  Maybe they don’t have autism, but maybe they do.