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Autism is a developmental difference characterised by specific differences in social interactions, communication and behaviour. Autistic people often also have sensory differences, meaning that they are particularly sensitive to noise, light, texture or taste. They often have intense interests which might be unusual. They may find it difficult to identify and describe their emotions. A significant proportion of autistic people will have an intellectual disability, but many will not. The autism diagnostic category includes a very varied group of people.
Being on a different developmental trajectory can make life challenging. It can mean that too much is expected of autistic children and teenagers without enough support being provided. Anxiety is very common among autistic people, as are difficulties with school and friendships.
That’s what we talk about in our webinars and courses. They focus on practical and useful tips which will help you to understand your autistic child and see a way ahead. We do not do autism diagnoses. Autism should be diagnosed by a multi-disciplinary team. This is because autism is a lifelong diagnosis and so it should be given with great care.
No one thinks that they are spreading misinformation. For the most part, misinformation doesn’t spread maliciously. It spreads because people want to share something important they’ve discovered. It spreads because people hear something and it makes sense to them. It spreads because someone has a ‘lightbulb moment’ and they want to let the world know. It spreads because something is a good story or analogy. Misinformation mostly spreads in good faith. Here’s an example. There’s a story I’ve seen repeatedly on social media which goes like this.
I’ve often heard children told that their brains are ‘differently wired’ as a reason for why they struggle with things which other children find easier. It’s an easy metaphor to reach for, and it’s definitely better than telling them that it’s their fault or that they aren’t making enough effort.
Do they have autistic burnout or is it depression? AuDHD or just autism? Is their silence reactive or selective mutism? Is the reason they are so upset rejection sensitivity dysphoria? Who really knows?
Autism + Environment = Outcome – Dr Luke Beardon Yes…and Often, when a child is diagnosed with autism, it directs our attention onto them. We stop asking “What is happening?’ and instead start to identify all the things which they struggle with, or which they don’t do as well as other children.
I was working with a young autistic man who has just started college. He was deeply confused to be asked in one of his classes if he could tell everyone about autism and masking. He had no idea what it was. He didn’t mask and had never masked. He found it very hard to speak in front of other people and couldn’t answer the question at all.
I’m sometimes told that exposure therapy doesn’t work for autistic children and should never be used. I don’t agree, and I don’t think there’s any evidence to show that.
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