7 Things Every Person Should Know About ASD

With increasing worldwide rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is important to approach autistic individuals with a lighthearted, compassionate, and open-minded heart. These individuals have embraced significant challenges with public and societal criticism, especially during times when certain natural impulses are difficult to control due to biological factors inside their brain circuits. By notifying ourselves with the reminders of ASD below and carefully choosing our actions, autistic individuals will gradually feel more connected and included in their communities, potentially allowing them to bypass specific ruminations, mental health challenges, and negative feelings. Please enjoy and approach the article below with respect and acceptance, and take a look at the content with less bias for just a few minutes.

1. It’s not just Autism, it’s an Autism SPECTRUM

The word “spectrum” is especially crucial to our understanding of ASD. Autism encompasses a range of levels and a variety of modifications, from Asperger’s Syndrome, level 2 autism, to DSM-5. Therefore, it is very likely that distinct people with ASD act differently. You may also use this epiphany to determine whether to deny ASD in someone due to stereotypical symptoms shown in television shows of “classic autism”. The opposite is also true: ASD requires a specific set of symptoms and behavior, so a few "autistic-like behaviors" are not sufficient to diagnose an individual with the disorder without clinical proof. 

2. Autistic Individuals Have Specific Interests

The next time you encounter an autistic person, please try to listen to their passions and understand them; perhaps even try out their hobbies yourself. Please do not feel bothered, frustrated, or offended when individuals refuse to try other activities sometimes. Oftentimes, their gifts and talents in one certain field are what change the world. Urging them to be interested in a "well-rounded" lifestyle is separating them from their gifts that may improve our current society, arts, or healthcare. In other words, please try to find some common ground between your interests and theirs so they feel connected to you and supported. 

3. Stimming is a Coping Method for Anxiety

There’s a common stigma surrounding this particular behavior of stimming: repeated actions, sounds, or movements done to regulate one's emotions and sensory inputs. For example, constantly tapping one foot on the ground while sitting, fidgeting with fingers, or reiterating the same phrase or word. Autistic individuals are not stimming to purposefully annoy others; their cognitive system uses this method to help reduce anxiety. Doing the same thing multiple times is a better way to cope than doing new things, which they may be stressed to do, perhaps even contributing to increasing anxiety. If we accept their traditional behavior with empathy and understand that it is crucial for their health and sensory input regulation, then the mental health of autistic individuals would improve significantly.

4. Social Demands and Expectations Foster Masking

Research has shown that they are better able to fit into environments where they aren’t expected to have to put energy into fitting into the social atmosphere. You shouldn't expect them to “act normal” per the societal standards all the time because their behavior will adjust according to social demands, as this can impact their anxiety. 

5. ASD stems from a combination of complex genetic and environmental factors

There is no one specific cause. The phenomenon develops from a diverse number of factors, some of which are more common than others. With this in mind, we should steer away from providing "solutions" to the so-called "disorder". Having autism is just like being born with another skin color.

6. ASD Negative Symptoms can be improved, but the Condition itself cannot be changed

   
   

As, mentioned before, it takes a range of treatment options from addressing parental symptoms to clinical treatment of the individual. Many of these treatments won't entirely remove the ASD symptoms in a wink, but can help the individual manage them. Just keep in mind that the individual is trying their best; the available science we have isn’t enough to develop a fully working treatment.

7. Navigating through Society with ASD is a 2 sided battle

   
   

It’s great and all if you understand the way you should approach these individuals, but also contributing to helping the individual understand their own condition is crucial. Let them understand their own boundaries so they aren’t too disappointed when something doesn’t go their way. This helps them feel comfortable being themselves rather than ashamed of their abilities.