Autism

Vaccines DO NOT cause autism.

This has been scientifically proven through multiple large studies and supported by numerous health organizations such as the WHO and CDC. The false connection originated from a discredited study from the 1990s. 

Autism is a not a disease. It affects the way a person's brain develops and functions.
We are born with it.
It is a lifelong condition that cannot be "cured".

The differences in brain wiring and functioning in autistic individuals lead to unique ways of perceiving and processing information, communication, and behavior. This diversity should be celebrated and respected, rather than viewed as a problem to be cured.

Historically, most research on autism has focused on male children, leading to a gender bias in diagnosis and understanding of the condition. This means that girls and women with autism may be overlooked or misdiagnosed due to a lack of understanding of how autism presents in females. As a result, they may have a harder time accessing the support they need. It is important to recognize and address this bias, and to include a more diverse range of individuals in autism research and advocacy efforts.

Autistic adults do not behave the same as autistic children as they learn to conform to societal norms and mask their autism. This process of masking, or hiding their autistic traits, is a coping mechanism used by some autistic individuals in response to societal pressure to fit in with neurotypical norms. This can lead to significant stress and burnout for those who engage in masking, and highlights the need for a more accepting and supportive society for those with autism.

What is masking?

Autistic adults often engage in "masking" behavior in order to fit into societal norms and expectations. It is the coping mechanism where an autistic person adjusts their behavior to appear more like a neurotypical person in order to fit in with society. This can involve suppressing their natural tendencies and mannerisms, and mimicking the behaviors and social cues of neurotypical individuals in order to appear neurotypical.

A neurotypical person is trained to "mask" when they are expected to interact with customers in a specific way when working a service job that involves public interaction. This training could involve practicing certain behaviors, such as smiling and speaking in a friendly tone, to present a certain image to customers.

Many people when they hear the words “autistic spectrum”, they think of a scale that starts at “not autistic” and goes all the way to “profoundly autistic”.

In reality, people on all points of the “spectrum” are autistic.

No one is just a little autistic.

The phrase "autistic spectrum" often creates the misconception that autism exists on a scale from "not autistic" to "severely autistic". However, individuals at every point on the spectrum are considered autistic.
There is no such thing as being "a little autistic".

Autism and intellectual disability are separate and distinct conditions. There is often confusion and misinformation surrounding the terms "severe" or "profound" autism, which are often used to describe individuals with high support needs. However, this usage can lead to inaccuracies as it conflates non-speaking individuals with autism with those who have intellectual disabilities, implying that autism is inherently tied to a lack of intellectual capacity, which is not accurate.

The autism spectrum is diverse and affects individuals in different ways.

Some autistic individuals may not be able to speak, but they can use technology such as an iPad to communicate and can handle their daily household tasks independently.

Some may have successful careers and social interactions, but find it challenging to manage their home life due to sensory overload and fatigue.

Others may need assistance in certain areas of life but have the ability to perform tasks such as grocery shopping on their own.

Regardless of the variations, all individuals with autism are on the same spectrum.  None of them are more or less autistic than the other. 

Autistic people often develop intense, focused interests in specific topics, known as "special interests".

These interests can range from popular topics such as sports, music, or animals, to more niche areas such as trains, weather patterns, or codes and ciphers.
Autistic individuals may have a deep and detailed knowledge of their special interest and may spend a significant amount of time learning, researching, and talking about it. 

These interests can provide comfort, structure, and a sense of identity for the individual and are often seen as a positive aspect of their autism. 

A special interest could last for a few short weeks or months, or it could last your entire lifetime.

However, it's important to note that not all autistic people have special interests and that interests can change over time.

Psychologist might call it "restricted interests", but I prefer "subject matter experts".

The autistic community is a vital source of support, acceptance, and understanding for many autistic adults. In a world that often misunderstands or misrepresents autism, finding others who share similar experiences and challenges can be life-changing. Autistic communities provide opportunities for individuals to connect, build relationships, and engage in shared interests and activities.

There are many different forms of autistic communities, ranging from local support groups to online forums and social media networks.
Some  examples include:

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): a national organization dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of autistic individuals and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.

• The Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN): a social and political organization that focuses on the experiences and needs of autistic women, girls, and nonbinary people.

• Local support groups: Many communities have groups that meet regularly to provide social opportunities, discuss challenges and share resources.

• Some online communities include:

  •  The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a US-based non-profit organization run by and for individuals on the autism spectrum. It offers resources, advocacy, and community-building opportunities for autistic individuals.

  • Autism Women's Network is an international organization specifically dedicated to the support and empowerment of women and girls on the autism spectrum. They offer resources, events, and a supportive community for autistic women.

By participating in these communities, autistic adults can find a sense of belonging, develop meaningful connections, and gain a greater understanding of their own experiences and strengths. These communities can also help to break down barriers and promote greater acceptance and understanding of autism in society.

Identity First Language refers to the practice of referring to an individual by their identity first, rather than by their disability. For the autistic community, this means using terms such as "autistic person" or "autistic individual" instead of "person with autism". This language choice is important because it recognizes and affirms the identity of the individual and emphasizes that being autistic is a core aspect of who they are, rather than just a diagnosis or a problem to be fixed.

Advocates for Identity First Language argue that it promotes a positive, inclusive and respectful view of autism, and helps to combat negative stereotypes and stigmas. It also empowers autistic individuals to embrace their identity, and strengthens the sense of community and belonging within the autism community. Using Identity First Language also aligns with the social model of disability, which recognizes that barriers and challenges faced by disabled individuals are largely societal in nature, and not inherent to their disability.

In contrast, using medical and diagnostic language such as "suffers from autism" or "has autism" can convey a negative and pathologizing view of autism, and reinforces the idea that autism is a problem or a disease. This language can also contribute to feelings of shame, stigma and low self-esteem among autistic individuals.

Overall, the use of Identity First Language is an important aspect of neurodiversity advocacy and promoting a positive and inclusive understanding of autism.

Self-diagnosisis an important tool for individuals who suspect they may be on the autism spectrum.

It is a process where an individual recognizes their own symptoms and experiences and seeks a formal evaluation from a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis.

Self-diagnosis can involve researching the signs and symptoms of autism, reflecting on one's personal experiences, and comparing their experiences with those of other autistic individuals.

This process can be especially beneficial for those who may not fit traditional diagnostic criteria or for those who may have struggled to receive a formal diagnosis in the past.

Self-diagnosis can also involve seeking out a professional evaluation and getting a formal diagnosis, which can provide access to support and resources.

It is important to note that self-diagnosis should not replace a professional evaluation.

However, it can be a starting point for individuals to learn more about autism, and it can provide a sense of validation and a deeper understanding of their experiences. Self-diagnosis can also be empowering, as it allows individuals to take control of their own health and well-being.

Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a repetitive behavior or movement that is often associated with autism. Stimming behaviors can be physical or sensory in nature, and can serve to help regulate emotions or soothe anxiety. Some common examples of physical stimming include hand-flapping, rocking, head-banging, or spinning. Sensory stimming can involve repetitively listening to music, touching objects, or smelling certain items.

Stimming is a natural and normal behavior for many people with autism, and can serve an important purpose in helping them to regulate their emotions and cope with their environment. Some autistic individuals may find stimming behaviors helpful in dealing with overwhelming stimuli, or when experiencing intense emotions. Stimming can also serve as a way for individuals to express their excitement or joy.

Despite its importance, stimming can sometimes be seen as disruptive or odd by others who are not familiar with it. This can lead to stigma and negative attitudes towards autistic individuals, and may even result in interventions aimed at eliminating the behavior. It's important to understand that stimming is a normal part of autism, and that attempts to suppress or eliminate it can be harmful. Instead, it's best to accommodate and respect stimming behaviors as a natural part of the individual's autism.

The term "Asperger syndrome" used to be a diagnosis for individuals who display characteristics of autism, including difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behaviors, but without significant intellectual or language impairments. However, the use of the term has become less preferred in recent years due to the troubling history of Dr. Hans Asperger, the Austrian pediatrician for whom it was named.

It has been widely documented that Dr. Asperger was an active participant in the Nazi regime and was complicit in the medical extermination of disabled children during the Holocaust. This has led many in the autistic community to reject the use of his name in association with their diagnosis.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards using Identity-First language, where individuals refer to themselves as "autistic" rather than "having autism." This shift in language reflects a growing sense of pride and self-acceptance among autistic people, as well as a rejection of the medical model of disability, which views disability as something to be fixed or cured.

In light of this, many organizations and individuals now prefer to use the broader term "autism" rather than "Asperger syndrome" and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) no longer recognizes Asperger syndrome as a separate diagnosis, instead incorporating it under the umbrella term of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Literal thinking is a common characteristic of autism and refers to the tendency to interpret language, situations, and events in a straightforward, concrete, and unchanging manner. 

Autistic individuals who display literal thinking may struggle with idioms, sarcasm, humor, and other forms of language that depend on context or implied meaning. They may take things very literally and have difficulty understanding figurative expressions or abstract concepts. This can result in difficulty in social situations or in interpreting instructions or requests that are not explicitly stated. 

Literal thinking is one of the core features of autism and helps to understand some of the difficulties that autistic individuals face in communication and social interaction.

The use of noise cancelling headphones by autistic individuals is a common coping mechanism for dealing with sensory overload. 

Autistic people can often be extremely sensitive to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, lights, and touch, which can cause them to experience anxiety, distress, or physical pain. Noise cancelling headphones work by blocking out external sounds, creating a calm and quiet environment that can reduce sensory overload and provide relief.

 Many autistic people find that using noise cancelling headphones helps them focus, reduces stress, and enables them to better participate in daily activities. They can also be helpful for managing sensory sensitivities in public places, such as airplanes, trains, and crowded shopping centers. 

The use of noise cancelling headphones is just one of many ways that autistic people can accommodate their sensory needs and lead fulfilling lives.