“It [autism] is a way of being. It is pervasive. It colors every experience, every sensation, perception, thought, emotion, and encounter, every aspect of existence. IT is not possible to separate the autism from the person.”
John Elder Robinson from Look Me in the Eyes
Autism is NOT caused by bad parenting nor is it something needing “fixed.” It is something a person is born with. Autism makes the brain process things differently. It is officially called Autism Spectrum Disorder because there is a wide range of deficits and how those impact a person’s ability to function in society. There are two main areas affected: social communication/interaction and restricted repetitive behaviors and interests (including fixed, rigid schedules, not adjusting to change, eats the same things everyday, and sensory issues).
Autism, in the simplest explanation, is a different way of thinking/processing information. A person with autism takes in everything at once but does not always know how to process the information into the right categories, or choose which items are more important and which ones can be deleted. (A neurotypical brain can delete unnecessary information almost automatically.) This can lead to longer response times, feeling overwhelmed/over-stimulated, appearing to not listen or understand, or responding incorrectly (illogically) if they focused on the wrong data.
People with autism tend to be more literal thinkers and may struggle with understanding idioms or sarcasm. They also like clear, specific directions. They may miss facial or vocal cues that could indicate a different meaning than the words spoken. They may also not pick up social norms therefore needing to be taught them directly. Appropriate boundaries may also need to be taught.
Another common symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder is the difficulty adjusting to change. A change in schedule or routine may mess up their whole day. What seems like a small change to a non-autistic person can seem like a huge disruption that is difficult to navigate for the person with autism. Talking about upcoming changes beforehand or preparing for emergencies can help the person adjust to the change.
The ability to focus on one topic can help them become an expert in that area. Because their brains function differently, they can see the whole problem and solution. The solution may be considered out-of-the-box but it is how new things are created.
Autism can be awesome–if you can see the beauty in the differences and adjust their world slightly to be more accommodating.
References:
- Bernier, R. A.; Dawson, G.; Nigg, J. T. (2020). What Science Tells Us About Autism Spectrum Disorder: Making the Right Choices for Your Child. New York: The Guildford Press.
- Robinson, J.E. (2007). Look Me in the Eyes. New York: Random House Audio.
Written by Melissa Pruitt, Omaha Location – MS, LIMHP, LPC, LMHC
Spence Counseling Center provides Christ-centered counseling services that integrate Biblical truth with professional therapeutic practices. With a team of experienced counselors, we help individuals, couples, and families find healing, hope, and growth through faith-based guidance. Our mission is to walk alongside clients as they align their hearts and minds with God’s Word, fostering lasting emotional, spiritual, and relational health. Wherever you may be in life’s journey, we are committed to helping you find strength, knowledge, and the skills to break the patterns that damage relationships and cause emotional pain. We help hurting people find genuine healing.