When our son was first was diagnosed with Autism, I cried I then became angry because he had to be ‘labelled’ to receive some help, I so hated that label.
However, having that label is not him he isn’t broken because he is Autistic he isn’t less than he is just B1 and as I have come to understand at least for us it been a blessing in knowing him better for a ‘label’ because the reality was it was me that needed the label for education for understanding and a hell of a lot of AH Ha’s. Knowledge is power. Once he would have been called Aspergic but they are now all on the one spectrum. While some of his traits or quirks as I prefer because they are just part of him are challenging, others are a blessing.
This is my B1.
Socially my son struggles immensely. He can’t read social cues, has trouble relating to others and reading between the lines. The blessing there is he doesn’t know when someone is bullying him, he spends much of his days alone even at home but when you become friends it’s for life. Sensory he becomes overwhelmed easily and he is a chewer. He has dyslexia, an immature nervous system and central processing issues that affect his ability to learn. The immature system will come as he grows but for the central processing and dyslexia, we have been fortunate enough to be able to buy a hearing piece to assist him educationally and we now get a tutor one on one. However, we are lucky that we can afford it less than 5% of a schools budget goes towards children with disabilities.
My son is obsessive about superheroes and before that it was Thomas the tank engine, however, he can draw build and create anything because he will draw, design, build the same thing over and over. He must have things a certain way. As a result routine and familiarity see things sailing smooth however miss something and fear consumes him.
And despite being Autistic and what people might think my son is incredibly mature in his decision making. His decisions and actions are always thought out and for him to act out means something massive has happened in his world. His behaviour is always impeccable but you can tell a big day at school because he will come home with a headache, vomit and sleep; and no it’s not his eyesight because believe me I’m on top of the testing game.
This is just our child and whilst these are part of him it is not all of him. He is brave, strong, thoughtful, funny, clever, determined like any parent I could go on. However, I work with Autistic children and ‘symptomatically’ they are completely different to him. They are completely non-verable as are 40% of those with the disorder.
Autism is such a diverse disorder and despite affecting one in 88 people with males five times more likely to be on the spectrum there are some people are still unaware of what Autism is.
So a 101 on Autism at its most basic.1. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior.
2. Individuals on the autism spectrum vary enormously from each other. No two persons are the same but they all share the two ‘core’ traits. The first is continued difficulties with social communication and social interaction. For example, they can’t read between the lines, pick on social cues or body language. Everything is literal. The second core trait is regimented, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. For example, they may develop an overwhelming almost obsessive interest in something; they may follow inflexible routines or rituals; they may make repetitive body movements, or they may be hypersensitive to certain sounds.
3. However ‘difficult’ those core traits also lead to many people on the autism spectrum also having significant strengths. These may include a good eye for detail, a high level of accuracy and reliability, an excellent memory for facts and figures, and the ability to thrive in a structured, well-organised work environment. Some also have considerable creative talent. Because of this, some individuals with autism do not consider autism to be a disability but a neurological difference.
4. Autism is highly heritable meaning if you look back to through the family of someone with Autism chances are there was a quirky Aunt Dianne or OCD uncle Fred.
5. Vaccines have nothing to do with Autism nor does being the first born child something I heard on the weekend. I believe the reason for the sudden rise is not hormones, not the vaccine but better understanding and coming out of the virtual Autistic closet. Just like unwed mothers were hidden away back in the day so was that embarrassing Aunt Diane.
7. Those who are diagnosed with Autism will most often have other factors and symptoms associated with it. It’s these other factors I believe make the Autism spectrum so vast and hard to explain to those not affected. These other factors include but not limited to sensory issues meaning noise and light can overwhelm them, anxiety and depression. Intellectual disabilities, central processing, metabolic disorders, sleep disorders, genetic disorders, epilepsy, ADD, Tourette’s, delayed nerves system development and gastrointestinal disorders.
8. There is no medical detection for Autism.
Most importantly Autism is not a hopeless disorder much can be done for those suffering it we just need to provide the right support and education with those with it.
xxDeb
