Autism is defined as a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. Until now, that was all I knew about it ā which isnāt much ā and definitely not enough to speak comfortably about it.
I have friends who are parents of children with autism but, honestly, was too afraid to ask them more than they volunteered because I didnāt want to appear nosey or say the wrong thing. Weāre all sensitive about our children, and the last thing any mom needs is another mom gawking at her child asking a million intrusive questions. All that being said, we all need to educate ourselves more and talk less. Below are 20 things everyone needs to know about autism.
It's Not Anyone's Fault
Parents canāt "cause" autism spectrum disorder. Although there are multiple causes of autism that are not fully understood yet, nothing a parent does before, during, or after pregnancy will cause autism, so please stop blaming yourself.
There Are Missed Diagnoses
Autism affects 1 in 68 children. Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with autism because girls unintentionally mask, meaning, it goes unnoticed because society expects girls to be quiet and shy. According to child psychiatrist Meng-Chuan Lai, āGirls have a better ability to learn neurotypical social behaviors such as eye contact, gestures, holding conversations, and the utilization of social scripts.āĀ
Autism Is Different in Every Child
Every person with autism is an individual. People with autism are as different from one another as the rest of us. Some people with autism might speak or interact with others, while others don't. Some may have no problem with eye contact while others might avoid it. Some neurodivergents are nonverbal while others are verbal. They may be very bright, of average intelligence or have cognitive deficits. It's never one-size-fits-all.
It's an Equal Opportunity Disorder
Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the US. It is more common than cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined in children. Autism affects all nationalities, religions, races and sexes. ItĀ doesnāt differentiate or affect only one group or another.
The Lost Girls of Autism
Researchers believe that the symptoms of autism in boys and girls do not look the same. Because autism presents differently in females and males, girls with autism are often overlooked and their diagnoses are delayed, with many not getting diagnosed until after puberty.
People With Autism vs. Autistic People?
In the late 1990s, the diagnostic title changed to reflect a more politically correctĀ social environment. Most people are taught that the proper expression is āpeople with autism.ā But labeling is dangerous. Always defer to what the person with autism wants to be called, autistic or person with autism. Also, using labels like "high-functioning" and "low-functioning" is offensive. For more information, check out this video by a woman who is autistic.
Early Diagnosis Is Helpful
Autism generally appears before the age of 3. The earlier it's diagnosed and treated, the better. The extra time can result in an improved quality of life for autistic children. And, no, there are no magic pill treatments for autism itself,Ā only some of the peripheral symptoms (such as hyperactivity, anxiety, mood symptoms, and sleep problems).
The Cost of Autism
In 2014, a study in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics found that the total lifetime cost of supporting an individual with autism isĀ $1.4 millionĀ in the US. If there is also intellectual disability, the total rises even more, toĀ $2.4 million. Currently, there is no federal requirement for providing support services into adulthood, leaving many families to figure it out on their own.
Intervention Timing
Early intervention is helpful but not the only way. Early services are dependent on the individual child's needs and learning styles. Just because a child is misdiagnosed doesn't mean he is beyond getting help to thrive with autism. Services for adults with ASD must be carefully individualized.
Think Outside the Neurotypical Box
Autism spectrum disorder is not degenerative. There's no cure, but people with autismĀ can continuously improve. Children with autism are most likely to improve with specialized, individualized services and opportunities for supported inclusion. Donāt give up āĀ sometimes a solution is outside-the-box or neurotypical thinking.
Spoken Language & Social Communication Deficits
Individuals with autism often have communication deficits. Being nonverbal at age 4 does not mean a child with autism will never speak. Research has shown that most will learn to use words, and nearly half will learn to speak fluently. Itās important to know the difference between spoken language and social communication deficits.
Autistic People Need Love, Too
Individuals with autism often want to socially interact but donāt have the ability to spontaneously socially interact. There is a misconception that people with autism arenāt affectionate because they donāt like to be touched or hugged and might have trouble making eye contact, but that's simply not true. They are affectionate ā just in a neurodivergent way.
It Can Be a Family Affair
According to a study in Denmark, 7% of families have more than one child with autism. If one identical twin has autism, thereās a relatively high chance (over 60%) that the other twin will also have autism. Fraternal twins have a lower chance (24%) of both twins having autism but it is still possible.
There Are Common Co-Morbidities
About 10% of autistic children have another disorder. There are some medical conditions that are common to have along with autism: allergies, asthma, epilepsy (one-third of the autistic population), digestive disorders, feeding disorders, sleeping disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, cognitive impairments, and other medical disorders.Ā Other conditions like early loss of social and language skills, toe walking, ADHD, gastrointestinal problems, and wandering can also happen.Ā
Hyperlexia
Hyperlexia, an ability to read above oneās age or grade level, is common amongĀ autistic people. I know a family with two neurodivergent children who both started reading and writing around the age of 2. Currently, both are under the age of 4, fluent in two languages, and voraciously learning others.
Children With Autism Are Still Children
They're affected by the same things as neurotypical children, only itās harder for them to communicate and express it to you. Therefore, they may be irritable and act out when they are frustrated and canāt verbalize those feelings.
Creative Geniuses
Individuals with autism may be highly creative and find a passion and talent for music,Ā theater, art, dance, and singing quite easily. Don't underestimate a child with autism ā just because she doesn't think and act the way you do doesn't mean she is deficient, maybe she just excels in ways you didn't consider.
Care Beyond High School
About 50,000 people with autism will exit high school every year in the US. Many of the services required for them by law ends abruptly after high school or at age 18. We need to do better and make sure that these children are supported into college and as young adults.
More Research Is Needed
Girls and women with autism spectrum disorder are still an understudied group in autism research. It's known that they present differently, mask to blend in, and often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, but more needs to be done to catch it earlier so they can get intervention and treatment earlier.
Thriving & Surviving
Parents, stay positive. Many people with autism are successfully thriving. They are living, working, and contributing to society. A full and happy life is possible through support and appropriate services being provided during the child's formative years.
