3.38 Autism : Definition & Facts
You might know someone with autism, but what does that mean, exactly? Find out how this condition affects language, social skills, and other aspects of every day life for those who have it.
What is Autism?
Autism is a condition that makes it difficult to use and understand language, and also makes it harder to connect with people. It is a developmental disorder, meaning it affects the way the brain develops. It can be mild, severe, or anything in between. People with autism have a lot of behaviors and needs in common, but no two people are exactly alike.
Communication
Communication problems are a main sign of autism. A person with autism may struggle to speak, or to understand speech. This makes it hard to join conversations or follow directions. Autistic people don’t always understand facial expressions, like smiles and frowns. Looking people in the eye can be really uncomfortable for people with autism.
Communication
Communication problems are a main sign of autism. A person with autism may struggle to speak, or to understand speech. This makes it hard to join conversations or follow directions. Autistic people don’t always understand facial expressions, like smiles and frowns. Looking people in the eye can be really uncomfortable for people with autism.
1. Main points:
Autism is a developmental disorder affecting language use and social connections, with varying severity and unique characteristics in each individual, often marked by communication difficulties, including challenges in speaking, understanding, and interpreting non-verbal cues.
2. Questions:
- Content Analysis: What are the primary challenges faced by individuals with autism?
- Contextual Analysis: How does autism as a developmental disorder affect communication and social interaction?
- Linguistic Analysis: What words in the text emphasize the diversity and individuality of people with autism?
3. Further Discussion:
Why do you think understanding and interpreting facial expressions can be difficult for someone with autism?
4. Answers:
- Content Analysis: "A person with autism may struggle to speak, or to understand speech… don’t always understand facial expressions, like smiles and frowns."
- Contextual Analysis: "It is a developmental disorder, meaning it affects the way the brain develops."
- Linguistic Analysis: Phrases like "no two people are exactly alike" and "It can be mild, severe, or anything in between" emphasize the diversity and individuality of people with autism.
Social Skills
It is hard for some people with autism to work in groups.
People with autism struggle to act appropriately with others. Being in a large group is especially hard. Playgrounds and parties can be overwhelming and scary for kids with autism. Some adults who have autism struggle with parties and activities, too. It’s hard for them to do certain jobs because they have to spend so much time cooperating with other people.
It’s pretty common for someone with autism to have limited interests, meaning they may have only one or two topics they really care about. The topic could be anything like a certain movie, or cars, or animals. This can make it hard for the person to hold a conversation, but it might also make them experts on the topic! Their favorite interests might eventually help them join a club or even turn into a career.
Dr. Temple Grandin is a famous scientist with autism. She turned her interest in animals into a great career.
1. Main points:
Individuals with autism often find social interactions challenging, particularly in large groups, and may have limited interests, which can affect conversations but also provide deep expertise in specific areas.
2. Questions:
- Content Analysis: What social challenges do people with autism face?
- Contextual Analysis: How might having limited interests impact a person with autism’s social and professional life?
- Linguistic Analysis: What words in the text convey the difficulties and potential positive aspects of having autism?
3. Further Discussion:
Can you think of ways how having a deep interest in a specific topic could be beneficial for someone with autism?
4. Answers:
- Content Analysis: "Being in a large group is especially hard… It’s hard for them to do certain jobs because they have to spend so much time cooperating with other people."
- Contextual Analysis: "This can make it hard for the person to hold a conversation, but it might also make them experts on the topic!"
- Linguistic Analysis: Words like "overwhelming," "scary," "struggle," and "experts" convey both the difficulties and potential positive aspects of having autism.
Daily Life With Autism
Quite often, those with autism feel the most comfortable with a set routine. If you know someone with autism, or have autism yourself, then you know that unexpected changes can be very upsetting. Having a set schedule is very helpful, but if changes have to happen, it’s important to let the person know ahead of time.
People with autism can have problems with any of the senses, including vision, hearing, and touch. This doesn’t mean that they can’t see, hear, or feel. It means that they see, hear, or feel things differently, and sometimes more intensely. Hearing a fire alarm or feeling a clothing tag on their skin might actually be painful experiences, and some food textures feel awful. Certain types of lighting can be very annoying and uncomfortable, too.
You might see an autistic person doing the same activity or movement over and over. He might rock back and forth, spin, or flap his hands. He may also repeat the same words or phrases many times. These behaviors help the person feel calm.
1. Main points:
Individuals with autism often prefer routine and predictability, may experience sensory inputs more intensely, and engage in repetitive behaviors or movements for self-soothing.
2. Questions:
- Content Analysis: How does autism affect sensory experiences and routines?
- Contextual Analysis: Why is a predictable routine important for someone with autism?
- Linguistic Analysis: What words in the text describe the sensory experiences of people with autism?
3. Further Discussion:
How might understanding these behaviors help others interact more effectively with someone who has autism?
4. Answers:
- Content Analysis: "People with autism can have problems with any of the senses… Hearing a fire alarm or feeling a clothing tag on their skin might actually be painful experiences."
- Contextual Analysis: "Unexpected changes can be very upsetting. Having a set schedule is very helpful."
- Linguistic Analysis: Words like "painful," "awful," "annoying," and "uncomfortable" describe the sensory experiences of people with autism.
A Helping Hand
There are many ways to help people with autism lead happy lives. Therapists, doctors, and teachers can help people with autism overcome their challenges by providing speech and language therapy and help with social skills. Special activities help them get used to different sounds and textures. For example, someone can get used to fire alarms by listening to recordings of them. They start with the volume really low, and slowly make it louder and louder until it’s not scary anymore. While autism doesn’t go away completely, it can be managed so the person doesn’t struggle so much.
Of course, you don’t have to be a specialist to help someone with autism. You can help just by being kind, patient, and understanding. If you meet someone with autism, remember that he or she has strengths, needs, and talents, just like you.
1. Main points:
People with autism can be supported through therapies, special activities, and understanding from others, helping them manage challenges and recognizing their unique strengths and talents.
2. Questions:
- Content Analysis: What are some ways to help individuals with autism manage their challenges?
- Contextual Analysis: How can non-specialists contribute to the well-being of someone with autism?
- Linguistic Analysis: What words in the text emphasize the potential for improvement and support in the lives of people with autism?
3. Further Discussion:
How do you think recognizing and appreciating the strengths of someone with autism can impact their life and the community?
4. Answers:
- Content Analysis: "Therapists, doctors, and teachers can help… by providing speech and language therapy and help with social skills… Special activities help them get used to different sounds and textures."
- Contextual Analysis: "You can help just by being kind, patient, and understanding."
- Linguistic Analysis: Words like "overcome," "managed," "kind," "patient," and "understanding" emphasize the potential for support and improvement.
Lesson Summary
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects people in many ways. Autism makes it hard to have conversations with other people, and to understand what others are trying to say. It also makes it hard to follow the rules of a group, and to work or play with others. Set routines and schedules are very helpful. Therapists, doctors, and teachers can help people with autism overcome their challenges.