Understanding Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects communication, social interaction, and behavior patterns
"For autistic individuals to succeed in this world, they need to find their strengths and the people that will help them get to their hopes and dreams. In order to do so, ability to make and keep friends is a must. Among those friends, there must be mentors to show them the way. A supportive environment where they can learn from their mistakes is what we as a society needs to create for them."
— Bill Wong, Autistic Occupational Therapist
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disorder that affects the way that people interact with others, communicate, think and behave. It presents differently in girls and boys.
Due to it being diagnosed around 2 years of age, it is also known as a developmental disorder.
Symptoms in Young Children
Communication & Social Interaction
- • Not apt response; unpredictive behaviors
- • Avoiding eye contact, gazing at random objects
- • Not talking or playing like other children
Repetitive Movements & Behaviors
- • Repetitive movements like flapping arms
- • Rocking body back and forth
- • Flicking fingers
Different Presentations in Girls & Boys
Boys with Autism
Boys with autism tend to exhibit more noticeable setbacks in social environments. They will have more communication challenges and have lower motor skills than girls.
Girls with Autism
On the other hand, girls can mimic and perform based on societal standards and norms. This behavior is known as "masking". Masking habits allow for the child to act neurotypical and work until they don't.
Research Findings
According to a study conducted by Stanford University, there are differences between the brains of young girls with autism and young boys. Postdoctoral scholar Kaustubh Supekar, Ph. D, said, "We found strong evidence for gender differences in autism." For years, scientists have believed that girls and boys present with autism differently. Earlier studies of ASD, previously known as Asperger's Syndrome, have been primarily from the viewpoint of boys. The study recommends that clinicians utilize different standards of treatment for girls and boys.
Why was it called Asperger's Syndrome?
Dr. Hans Asperger was an early researcher on autistic kids, or as he called them, autistic psychopaths. A Nazi who believed in Eugenics, he sent many of the children that he worked with to the Third Reich's child euthanasia and sterilization programs. Autistic people were considered a threat to the Nazi's goal of a genetically pure society. Due to the convoluted history of the term, people with autism and others believe that characterizing the condition in this way reinforces the idea that autistic people have no value to society. This idea holds no standing in our society, where autistic people contribute to society in many ways.