Now that you know a little bit about me, I am talking about Autism as someone who is on the spectrum because most people, that do not have autism, do not know what it is like to have something in your body go haywire on you. "Autism spectrum disorders represent an abnormality of brain development and function, most appearing within the first three years of life. There are three main types of Autistic Disorder (Classic Autism), Asperger's Disorder, and Atypical Autism (PDD-NOS). Most people recognize Autism as impairment of social interaction, impairments of communication and play, and restricted or repetitive interests and activities" according to CDDH Victoria's Fact Sheet about Autism.
"Impairment of Social Interaction includes aloofness and failure to develop friendships and relationships, seeking people's company but lacking the ability to engage in two way social interactions, one-sided or repetitive social interactions, awkward, avoidance or indifferent eye contact, inability to understand social rules, impaired understand of other people's motivations, and lack of spontaneously seeking to share enjoyment with others. Impairment of Communication and Play includes a delay in or lack of development of speech without any compensatory forms of communication, for example gestures, significant difficulty in initiating and sustaining a conversation (in those with speech), and lack of imitation of others. Restricted or repetitive interests and activities includes interests that are excessively narrow, intense or unusual, adherence to rigid routines, intolerance of change, stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms."
For example as a college student, I disliked having to go the testing center on campus because I can hear every single noise even if someone else cannot hear it, for example that mean the rattling fluorescent lights and papers, and that is very distracting when I trying focus on taking a test. Almost all the social skills I have as an autistic adult, I was taught over many years of therapy. I still have issues with being obsessed with a topic, this is a part of my autism that drives many people crazy in my life. It is worse when I am stressed or anxious. For example the dentist bring a similar effect to testing center did me because they make you look at florescent light while they make noise echo in my head while they stick their fingers in my mouth. Imagine this:
"The ammonia of glass cleaner, the smell of recently microwaved salmon advancing down the hallway, the staggered shock waves of closing lockers, a cold machine pulse of fluorescent lights, the blast of air conditioning, the loudspeaker announcement echoing through every solid surface, the scrape of a clothing tag, an unrelenting bouquet of perfume stuck on someone's jacket, the glare ricocheting from the passing cars through metal blinds, the person twenty feet away that seems an inch and a half from your face, the ticking on the clock no one else hears...all while trying to focus on someone speaking to you."
This situation for a person with Autism is what it can feel like on a regular basis in the classroom. Most of my life, I have been jeans and t-shirts girl anyway so clothes are not issue now that a lot people are uncomfortable with tags. My teacher never thought about the fact when I would have a meltdown it was because I was overwhelmed with everything at once. I figured out when I feel overwhelmed by too much going on in my environment, that is when I put my headphones and to listen music and take a half hour break from what I was doing at the time. This one of my ways to stim which common with an autistic individuals.
The type of Autism that I have is PDD-NOS, which is Pervasive Development Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified. "It is a diagnosis given to an individual, who displays some features that suggest Autism, but does not fully meet the criteria of Autism. Usually, an individual with PDD-NOS does not have intellectual delays, thus their behaviors are mistaken as being stubborn, selfish, or defiant. However, it is a neurological and developmental disorder, and does not result from lack of discipline. Characteristics of Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified include repetitive behaviors and activities, obsessive interests in specific topics, difficulty with interacting with peers, and/or impaired verbal or non-verbal communication skills." I have an easier time interacting with my peers than I did when I was growing up. My communication skills still are affected in written form. When I write something I leave out words and my brain puts the words back in at spots or not all. The people in my life have figured out how to make sense of what I am trying to say and most of the time I do not have any issues with people being nasty about my communication issues. There are some people who think I am stupid because I am autistic. I always say they are the stupid people in the world because they write me off before actually learning anything about me.
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Autism, From Someone Who Is On The Spectrum
Non-FictionAutism from the perspective of a woman on the spectrum
