If you're an older adult like me, you may have been taught that Asperger's Syndrome is "autism light," while those diagnosed with Autism require lifelong support. Asperger's is a term no longer used by the medical community as autism is now known to be a spectrum of symptoms that can present differently in different people. Also, Dr. Hans Asperger, for whom the condition was named, sent many children with disabilities to their death during the Holocaust.
Here's an infographic created by creator Miss Luna Rose and found at WikiCommons that better describes the different levels of autism spectrum disorder.
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I'm a Level 1, or what some refer to as high functioning. I am socially awkward, but I learned to mimic the speech patterns and behaviors of neurotypical people, which is called masking. I also learned to read nonverbal and paraverbal communication to better understand people and to keep myself safe.
We now know that 27% of those diagnosed autistic are considered level 3 or profoundly autistic. These are people who are often unable to talk, they may have high or low sensitivities to stimuli, and they don't handle changes to their routine. Level 3 autistics require constant support throughout their lives. In many parts of the world, including the US, those support people will most likely be family members.
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I have sensory processing disorder but it's mild and I can manage. I hate the way slimy things feel on my hands. I often wear men's shirts because it's easier to find cotton shirts in men's clothing. The kid who only eats chicken nuggets? Might be SPD. Walmart now offers sensory-friendly shopping hours because many people can become overwhelmed with the bright lights and large crowds in their stores.
This infographic from the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance spells out more signs of SPD.
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Auditory Processing Disorder affects the way the person processes what they're hearing. They can hear just fine, but sometimes their brain doesn't fully process the information right away. Speech disorders can vary. Some autistic people understand language and how to speak, but cannot do so because their brain doesn't communicate with their mouth and jaw. Some autistics talk louder than what is considered normal. Some use high-pitched voices and become quite animated when they speak. Some are able to learn to communicate using computer programs or ASL.
Obligatory cat pic
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Once I noticed a family shopping and one of the children was making sounds that sounded like moans. The moaning was a way for the child to self-soothe, a behavior we call stimming. A woman in the next aisle found the sounds upsetting and loudly said she thought the child was in distress. Several people assured her the kid was fine, but she wouldn't let it go. When people do things like that it can be upsetting for the autistic person and their family, who aren't bothering anyone. The woman's actions were as disruptive as those of the person who insists on petting a guide dog when told not to do so.
Some autistic individuals can become aggressive and even violent when overwhelmed due to overstimulation or when their schedule is changed. Caregivers or family members may hesitate to call for help when this happens because it's often law enforcement who responds. In March of this year, a 15-year-old autistic boy became upset when told to do chores; he escalated and became aggressive, broke a door and hit a family member. Law enforcement responded and the boy was shot and killed by police when he ran toward them holding a gardening tool. Yeah, autistic meltdown is no joke.
Level 3 autistics may engage in self-injurious behaviors such as pinching or biting themselves, or even engage in headbanging. Some may wander. If a profoundly autistic person goes missing, the first place to look is nearby pools and bodies of water because while a profoundly autistic person may find water attractive, they probably don't know how to swim. Wandering is especially dangerous for non-talkers because they can't ask for help.
While I struggle at times to maneuver a world designed for neurotypical people, it's far more difficult for those with level 2 and level 3 autistics. It can also be a lonely place for caregivers. For Autism Acceptance Month I hope you become more familiar with the variety of ways autism presents in people, and that you find ways to help autistics and those who provide support for them find their place into society.
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