Understanding Autism: Why Neurodiversity Means Different, Not Less
Mar 15, 2018
Ian Stockbridge
Mar 15, 2018
- Having trouble understanding their own or other people's feelings or being able to discuss other people's feelings
- Difficulty in understanding body language
- Avoiding eye contact
- Not knowing how to interact with others or not wanting to
- Difficulty making friends
- Talk in an unusual way or have an odd tone of voice
- Nervous in large social gatherings
- Have rituals they refuse or find very hard to change
- Have non-standard sensory reactions
All of us are unique individuals, with our own individual blend of diversity. A value that I have tried to live by throughout my life. Life's never-ending spectrum of diversity applies to almost any aspect of life, but I look here at those sitting on the Autistic Spectrum.
Autism can be thought of as a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way in which people see and relate to the world around them.
Many people say that they go through life simply feeling as if they are different somehow, but not quite understanding how or why. Some common characteristics that may give an indication that's someone is on the spectrum, could include such things as:
If you think you or someone you know may be on the spectrum, the first thing is often to consider obtaining a diagnosis. In fact in order to open up the provision of care that is available, this can often be essential. There are many online tests that may give some indication, but often these are not completely reliable. In order to receive a formal diagnosis this will usually involve a GP referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist or multi-disciplinary team. Such a diagnosis may also help you to understand if you meet a particular autistic profile.
Autistic Disorder or Condition
This is usually what people think of when they think of the word 'autism'.
It is often defined as the triad of impairments and consist of people that struggle with the following:
- Social communication difficulties and language delay
- Challenges surrounding social interaction
- Repetitive and / or rigidity of behaviour, thinking and routine
Ian Stockbridge
