Autism Awareness

Having 2 kids on the Autism Spectrum; I'm often asked about it. I'm not a doctor but I try to learn as much as I can about it too. Here are some of the things that someone just learning about Autism might want to know. In the future I may blog about our subjective experience being an Autism family.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. It's characterized by varying degrees of difficulty with communication— verbal and non-verbal, sensory processing, and social skill development. Other symptoms common to many people with Autism are:

Regression of milestones at 12-18 months
Is in a "zone" a lot
Doesn't react predictably
Lacks boundaries
Poor eye contact
Doesn't respond to their name
Doesn't acknowledge parents/family as special
Lack of mirroring
Lack of empathy or sympathy
High pain tolerance
Intense interest in preferred activity
Impulsivity
Sensitivity to loud or abrupt noise
Inability to distinguish background/foreground sound
Anxiety
Deep emotional attachments to objects
Spends long time period watching things move
Obsessive Compulsive
Appears disinterested or aloof
Avoids touch or touches too much
Doesn't play make believe or pretend
High pitched squeals, voice, or abrupt noise
Repeats words and phrases
Repeats questions instead of answering
Doesn't understand nuance, inference, or sarcasm
Facial expressions don't match mood
Awkward posture, clumsiness, eccentric
Learning disability or hyperability
Wandering away
Self-harm
Feeling trapped
Speech delay
Unaware of others emotions
Nativity
Stimming (self-stimulating)
Gastrointestinal issues
Sleep issues
Sensory seeking or defensive
Poor motor skill development
Doesn't crawl or walk, or late
Lines things up, reorders, reorgs
Spinning, rocking, flapping

What causes Autism?

There's no confirmed scientific agreement on a single cause of Autism. The most current scientific evidence suggests there's a genetic role. It's widely accepted Autism is a response to abnormalities in the brain. Brain scans have founds similarities in the brain among Autistic persons that neurotypical persons don't have. The newest research has found possibility of inheritance of a predisposition to Autism that when combined with "de novo" gene mutations result in Autistic symptoms.

What is High Functioning Autism (HFA)?

HFA is a term given to people with Autism who are cognitively higher functioning than most people with Autism. About half of the population of people with Autism have IQ's ranging 65-85. Roughly a quarter of people with Autism are intellectually disabled. And the remaining quarter are of average or above average intelligence. HFA is when a person with Autism has normal to genius level intelligence test scores. Previously called Asperger's Syndrome, HFA may have added symptoms or aid in the improvement of other symptoms commonly associated with Autism. High functioning people with Autism may for instance, learn to speak— although may be shy or say shocking things. Someone with HFA may have an incredible photographic memory, but a poor memory when it comes to things they hear.