World Autism Awareness Day: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

30 March 2023

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To commemorate World Autism Day on 2 April, we wanted to find out more about Autism Spectrum Disorder, which affects about 1% of the world’s population.

We might be familiar with characters on screen with autism including Sheldon Cooper, Attorney Woo, Forrest Gump, Raymond Babbitt. However, do they portray autism accurately?

First, let’s understand what autism is.

What is Autism?

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Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The development and growth of the brain and nervous system is impaired, causing people with autism to process information differently. Hence, they experience their environment around them differently.

Autistic people have sensory struggles with sight, sound, smell, taste or touch. This might mean their senses are more intense or more painful. They also struggle with interacting with others as they behave, communicate and learn differently.

What does “On the Spectrum Mean”?

People who are autistic are not all exactly the same as each other. They all have slightly different shades of the disorder.

Autism is properly known as autism spectrum disorder as each person has differing symptoms and levels of severity.

Symptoms of Autism

People on the spectrum can range from being gifted in abilities to severely challenged, or high functioning to low functioning.

Some symptoms include:

Not making eye contact, preferring to be alone
Unusual reactions to how things taste, look, feel, smell, sound
Being either very interested or disinterested in people, not know how to relate to them
Not noticing when people talk to them but respond to other sounds
Having trouble understanding other people’s feelings
Repeating words or phrases said to them
Repeating actions
Having obsessive interests
Having trouble expressing needs using words or motions
Needing to adhere to a routine and getting upset by changes

Diagnosing, Medication & Therapy

To diagnose autism, one must go through a developmental screening. A delay in normal development could be a sign of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Studies show one third to half of parents of children with ASD noticed a problem before their child turned one.

Regular screenings are recommended at 9, 18, 24 or 30 months.

A diagnostic evaluation, which is a detailed screening, is then needed for an autism diagnosis. It can enable them to get better access to support.

There are various treatments and therapies for autism.

To manage aggressive and challenging behaviour for instance, a class of drugs called antipsychotics is recommended.

For depression, antidepressants might be helpful. However medical professionals should be consulted before taking any form of medication.

Autistic people may also benefit from talk therapy, sensory interventions, music therapy and animal therapy.

Living with People with Autism

We are all unique individuals, with our own quirks, strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, people with autism are fellow human beings with their own characteristics.

YouTuber Mark Rober has also shared about his son who is on the spectrum.

There are a few principles we can adhere to in helping autistic friends and family cope.

Structure: Have predictable environment and routines. For instance, visual aids like photos, pictures help people with autism understand things.
Be Positive: Use positive approaches and expectations to build self-confidence and self-esteem
Have Empathy: See the world from the autistic person’s standpoint, empathy allows us to see what interests, frightens, motivates people with autism
Ensure Low arousal: Keep noise levels down, spaces uncluttered and simple colour schemes.
Maintain Strong Links with Others: Strong relationships help. A regular caregiver, therapist, structured days with fixed schedules are helpful.