Do You Have Autism Or Are You Autistic

Don’t Perpetuate Stigma And Misunderstanding Around Autism

That said, there’s one thing you should never do.

Taking any of the words used to describe autism to say something negative about a person is incredibly disrespectful. You are taking something that should be celebrated and making it an insult.

The same goes for words previously used to describe intellectual disability getting thrown around as insults.

These words carry with them a history of misunderstanding and stigma. And if you use them in this way, you are helping perpetuate that.

How To Tell If You Have Autism Ocd Or Both

OCD is typically characterized by persistent, and distressing, thoughts. An individual diagnosed with OCD will engage in compulsive behaviors as a coping mechanism to manage those thoughts. Ritualistic behaviors are also common in autistic people, which is why it can be hard to detect whether or not someone on the spectrum also has OCD, or vice versa. An individual with OCD will engage in consistent repetitive actions, such as the need to touch certain objects repeatedly, and obsessions with certain objects or actions that seem troublesome to them. The difference between OCD and autism lies in how the individual reacts to these actions and tendencies in public. Typically, someone diagnosed with OCD will be ashamed or embarrassed of their actions, while someone on the spectrum is not as affected by what other people think.

What are some behaviors youve noticed in an autistic student or adult that you feel could be directly linked to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Carry On The Conversation:

What are some autism misconceptions which you would like to clarify? Let me know in the comments below. And, if you want to learn the truth behind autistic meltdowns, check out this article: Exploring Autism: What is an Autistic Meltdown?

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Thank you for reading and I will see you next week for more thoughts from across the spectrum.

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You Are Often Focused On Small Details Rather Than The Big Picture

The autistic brain is good at certain things and not at others. It’s exceptionally detail-oriented, able to pick up on a lot of tiny information at once, but it finds it harder to put together into a big picture. A 2013 study from NYU indicated that autistic brains process information in a different way than non-autistic ones, possibly because of lower levels of oxytocin, which both influences our social bonding and helps our brains sort and prioritize information.

Relationships And Social Attachments

You find it hard to;making and keeping friends, although you have lots of acquaintances. People with autism, on the other hand, often lack the skills to grasp basic things like tone and body language that are part of social communication.

Autism is not so much characterized by “social awkwardness.” It is more about not being able to interpret or process social cues central to human interactions.

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Repeating Phrases Or Babble

While many young kids babble or repeat themselves, Pandey says young children with autism may repeat the same jargony phrase over and over again in the exact same wayalmost like theyre singing the verse of a song. I had one child who would repetitively count the way he heard it on Elmo, she says. This is known as scripted language, she adds. Repeating a phrase or babble with odd rhythms or in sing-song voice are also warning signs, Mayo Clinic experts say.

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Other Signs Of Autism

You may also have other signs, like:

• not understanding social “rules”, such as not talking over people
• avoiding eye contact
• getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
• noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not
• having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
• liking to plan things carefully before doing them

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What Are The Signs Of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Signs of ASD range from mild to severely disabling, and every person is different. The following signs are considered to be red flags that indicate your young child may be at risk for autism. If your child shows any of the following signs, please get in touch with your childs healthcare provider to discuss a referral for an autism evaluation.

The signs include the following:

• Your child doesnt respond to their name being called at all or responds inconsistently.
• Your child doesnt smile widely or make warm, joyful expressions by the age of 6 months.
• Your child doesnt engage in smiling, making sounds and making faces with you or other people by the age of 9 months.
• Your child doesnt babble by 12 months.
• No back-and-forth gestures such as showing, pointing, reaching or waving by 12 months.
• No words by 16 months.
• No meaningful, two-word phrases by 24 months.
• Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age.

They Are Not Tied To Social Expectations

If you’ve ever bought a car, played a game, or joined a club to fit in, you know how hard it can be to be true to yourself. But for people with autism, social expectations can be honestly unimportant.

Who cares if someone you’ve never met rolls their eyes when you mention your interest in Disney movies even when you’re a grown-up? What matters is true liking, shared interests, kindness, and the desire to spend time togethernot keeping up with or being as similar as possible to the Joneses.

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How Do You Speak Up As A Parent

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I’ve lost count of the number of times I want to call someone out on the language they’ve used around autism or disability.

How do you do this calmly and politely, especially if they’re talking about your child?

Shannon Des Roches Rosa has been writing about autism since her son Leo was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 2003 and she is the senior editor of The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism.

Shannon says it’s hard for anyone to change habits, especially when it comes to language.

“If people don’t know any better and you say ‘Did you know that this is considered harmful?’ and they say ‘I am so sorry I will try and change my usage’, even if they make a couple of mistakes because it does take time, I understand,” she says.

“I only have a problem with people who have been told that specific words are harmful and then they insist on using them anyhow because then they are disrespecting Leo and his community.”

The flip side of that is that through Patch and autistic community I’ve learnt some beautiful words which are important to them; words that celebrate difference, like neurodiverse and neurodivergent.

I use them loudly and often in public, in the hope others adopt them too.

How Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Treated

ASD is most often a life-long condition. Both children and adults with autism benefit from behavioral interventions or therapies that can teach new skills to address the core deficits of autism and to reduce the core symptoms. Every child and adult with autism is unique. For this reason, the treatment plan is individualized to meet specific needs. It is best to begin interventions as soon as possible, so the benefits of therapy can continue on throughout the course of life.

Many people with ASD often have additional medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal and feeding issues, seizures and sleep disturbances. Treatment can involve behavioral therapy, medications or both.

Early intensive behavioral treatments involves the entire family and possibly a team of professionals. As your child ages and develops, treatment may be modified to cater to their specific needs.

During adolescence, children benefit from transition services that promote skills of independence essential in adulthood. The focus at that point is on employment opportunities and job skill training.

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Final Thoughts: Can Cats Have Autism

So, can cats be autistic? Contrary to what Kathy Hoopmans book, All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum, tells us, cats are not really on the autism spectrum.

They may show signs of autism, but to say that they are autistic is quite misleading. The takeaway here is that there is a fine line dividing humans and animals, such as cats.

As pet lovers, we should be careful of anthropomorphizing animals as it may lead to misconceptions. Seeking veterinary advice is always the way to go!

Getting An Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis

The road to an ASD diagnosis can be difficult and time-consuming. In fact, it is often two to three years after the first symptoms of ASD are noticed before an official diagnosis is made. This is due in large part to concerns about labeling or incorrectly diagnosing the child. However, an ASD diagnosis can also be delayed if the doctor doesnt take a parents concerns seriously or if the family isnt referred to health care professionals who specialize in developmental disorders.

If youre worried that your child has ASD, its important to seek out a clinical diagnosis. But dont wait for that diagnosis to get your child into treatment. Early intervention during the preschool years will improve your childs chances for overcoming their developmental delays. So look into treatment options and try not to worry if youre still waiting on a definitive diagnosis. Putting a potential label on your kids problem is far less important than treating the symptoms.

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A Child With Autism Vs Autistic Child: Heres Why It Matters

A post by AngelSense, a GPS & voice monitoring solution designed for children with special needs.

Learn more about how AngelSenses GPS tracking device can help improve your childs safety and well-being.

In the autism community, one of the most fiercely debated topics is how to refer to people on the spectrum. While some prefer the term people with autism, others lean towards autistic person. Then there are those who remain indifferent, and prefer to take a tomato ; tomato view of things. When a post in our Facebook group sparked fervent discussion, we realized this isnt a simple matter of semantics. We felt it was important to get to the bottom of this because theres no denying the power of words. More than simply conveying meaning, words convey sentiment and ultimately shape how people are perceived.

As a parent and someone whose life has been impacted by autism, youre likely to have your own thoughts on the topic. The way you refer to your child, as either a child with autism or an autistic child, says something about how you see your childs condition.;

You Often Find Sarcasm Puns And Irony Difficult To Understand

People with autism sometimes don’t quite “get” jokes and humor of certain kinds, partially because of social difficulty. A 2014 study of high school students, some of whom had autism, found that autistic teens respond far better to certain types of humor than others: nonsense jokes and aggressive humor. They didn’t have the same ease with stuff like puns or self-defeating humor. You may also have a bit of difficulty with sarcasm, irony, or weird idioms.

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Getting Evaluated For Autism Spectrum Disorder

Parent interview In the first phase of the diagnostic evaluation, you will give your doctor background information about your childs medical, developmental, and behavioral history. If you have been keeping a journal or taking notes on anything thats concerned you, share that information. The doctor will also want to know about your familys medical and mental health history.

Medical exam The medical evaluation includes a general physical, a neurological exam, lab tests, and genetic testing. Your child will undergo this full screening to determine the cause of their developmental problems and to identify any co-existing conditions.

Hearing test Since hearing problems can result in social and language delays, they need to be excluded before an Autism Spectrum Disorder can be diagnosed. Your child will undergo a formal audiological assessment where they are tested for any hearing impairments, as well as any other hearing issues or sound sensitivities that sometimes co-occur with autism.

Observation Developmental specialists will observe your child in a variety of settings to look for unusual behavior associated with the Autism Spectrum Disorder. They may watch your child playing or interacting with other people.

Lead screening Because lead poisoning can cause autistic-like symptoms, the National Center for Environmental Health recommends that all children with developmental delays be screened for lead poisoning.

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Diagnosis Of Autism In Adults

It is not unusual for autistic people to have reached adulthood without a diagnosis.;

Sometimes people will read some information or see something about autism that makes them think That sounds like me. They may then choose to talk to a health professional for a diagnosis, or they may not.;

You may choose to seek an autism diagnosis if:

• you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition or intellectual disability during childhood or adolescence, but think that you may have autism
• you have struggled with feeling socially isolated and different
• your child or other family member has been diagnosed with autism and some of the characteristics of autism sound familiar to you.

If you wish to seek an assessment for autism, you can:

• talk to a psychologist with experience in the assessment and diagnosis of autism
• talk to your GP
• seek a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in the assessment and diagnosis of autism in adults from your GP.

A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in the assessment and diagnosis of autism will ask you about your childhood, and experiences at school and as an adult. They may also do some psychological or psychiatric testing.

A speech pathologist may also be consulted to assess your social communication skills.

All of this information will be used to help make a diagnosis.

Is There A Test For Autism In Women

Theres no medical test that can diagnose autism. It can be a difficult process that often requires visiting several types of doctors.

If you believe your child could be on the autism spectrum, make an appointment with their doctor. Depending on your childs symptoms, their doctor may refer them to a child psychologist or pediatric neurologist.

If you suspect that you may have undiagnosed autism, start by talking to your primary care doctor. A psychologist can also help you evaluate your symptoms and rule out other potential causes. Learn more about the process of working with a doctor to get an autism diagnosis.

Autism can be very hard to diagnose in adults. You may need to visit a few doctors before you find one who understands your symptoms and concerns.

If possible, try to ask close family members about any potential signs or symptoms you might have displayed as a child. This can help to give your doctor a better idea of your childhood development.

Throughout the process, remember that you are your most important advocate. If you feel your doctor isnt taking your concerns seriously, speak up or get a second opinion. Seeking a second opinion is common, and you shouldnt feel uncomfortable doing so.

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They Are Less Materialistic

Of course, this is not universally truebut in general, people with autism are far less concerned with prestige and status than their neurotypical peers.

As a result, they worry less about brand names, high-end restaurants, and other expensive but unimportant externals than most people do. They are also less inclined to see salary or title as desirable for their own sake.

How Is Autism In Women Treated

While theres no cure for autism, medications can help to manage certain related symptoms or disorders that may co-occur.

But medication is only one aspect of autism treatment. There are many types of physical, occupational, and talk therapies that can help you better interact with the world around you and manage your symptoms.

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What The Research Says

Autistic people are more likely to exhibit signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Theyre also more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder than the typical population. However, its not clear how many people have both conditions or why.

According to one 2008 study, as many as 27 percent of autistic children show symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, other estimates say the real number may be much lower.

A large 2020 study looked at the rates of mood disorders in autistic people in Minnesota. The study participants were between 17 and 43 years old during the months that the data analysis took place. The researchers found that autistic people were 9.34 times more likely to have clinically diagnosed bipolar disorder than nonautistic people.

Researchers know that bipolar disorder may be linked to your genes. If you have a close family member who has either bipolar disorder or depression, you have a greater chance of developing the condition. The same is true for autism. Specific genes or gene errors may increase your chances of developing autism.

Researchers have identified some of the genes that may be connected to bipolar disorder, and several of those genes may be linked to autism, too. While this research is preliminary, experts believe it may help them understand why some people develop both bipolar disorder and autism.