Autism, From Someone Who Is On The Spectrum

Female on the Spectrum: The Superpower in Hiding Instead Of a Disability (2019)

Part 3 of 3

After embrace my Autism, the last part of my Autism journey is getting rid of the idea of curing Autism. Like many people on the spectrum, I have found my method to deal with some of traits including avoid triggers for sensory overload. Now that I am older, it only happened after the dentist and in movie theaters. I am one of those people on spectrum who fight against Autism Speaks because if they want to cure Autism then there are no more artists, writers, scientists, and many more. So yes, it is not easy living a world that is overwhelming at times but I do not want a cure for it. Those people who believe there should be a cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder, I explain I was kept on my Attention Deficit Disorder medication to make easier for everyone else around me. That told me as child, there was something wrong with the way I was create so I prevent another child from feeling that way I ever felt growing up I will I made a difference in this community.

Now that you know a little bit about me. I am talking Autism as someone who is on the spectrum because most people do know what it is having Autism. Most people do not know what it is like something in your body go haywire on you.

According to Autism Key the symptoms of Autism: "Repetitive Behavior (desire to watch same program over and over again); Unresponsive to Commands or Questions ("in their own world"); Delayed Speech and Language (non-verbal especially by age 3); Lack of Imitation of Other or Imaginative Play; Indifferent to the Feeling of Others; Sensitivity to Light and Sound (cover ears for music, covers eyes when outside); Self-Stimulatory Behaviors (rocking, jumping up and down, hand flapping); Echolalia (repetition or echoing words or phrase just spoken by another person); Unusual Emotional Responses (inappropriate laughing or crying); Frequent Temper Tantrums/Meltdown; Responds Adversely to Physical Affection (hugs, kisses, etc.); Shows No Interest in Making Friends; Does not Initiate Conversation; Very Poor Diet (may want to eat only starches); Frequently Walks on Tip-Toes As a Toddler; Socially Withdrawn or Socially Awkward; Shows Little Expressive Language; Clumsiness (falls or trips often); Improper Use of Pronouns, Statements, and Questions; Unusual Tone or Rhythm of Speech; Self Injurious Behavior (head banging, scratching/biting self); Frequently Makes Irrelevant Remarks; Difficulty with Abstract Language and Concepts; Preoccupied With One or Only a Few Narrow Interests; Need for Sameness (adheres to routines); Severe Tantrums When Routines Are Disrupted; Attachment to Unusual Objects (car parts, leaves, etc.); Fascination with Spinning Objects or Spinning One's Self; and Very Good at Rote Memory (Such as Repeating Lists and Facts).

Those autism symptoms are based on males on the spectrum. While I had the unusual emotional response, tip toe walking as toddler, and I did love spinning myself when I was younger. I did not have many of typical symptoms of Autism because there is different how Autism presents in females and males. Most females on the spectrum have different symptoms which is why many of us do not diagnosis until we are adults. Females on the spectrum usually are able to pass of someone not on the spectrum through mimic and masking. I learned to mimic the ways I should act in situations which is why the bullying hurt more because it was like I was not doing a good enough job pulling off "normal". Now I know that is because I faking it to make people believe I was someone without sensory issues so that I would not get teased even more being different.

According the National Autistic Society Traits commonly seen in females with Autism Spectrum Disorder: "Lack of reciprocity in social play, can be controlling or domineering; Can have restricted interests in more mainstream areas than boys i.e. fashion or movies, as opposed to bugs or historical facts; May speak differently than other children or speak in a childish tone; Avoid demands, intense focus and determination; Follows other children like a shadow, imitate other girls to initiate social contact; Motor tics, avoids eye contact; Shy, coy, embarrassed, naive, innocent and disruptive; Socially manipulative and controlling; More passive than boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder, may collect information on people instead of things."