Let’s start with what autism is not.
Autism is not a disease. It is not something that you catch. It is not something that you can spread to another person. Most importantly, it is not something that needs to be fixed or treated.
Basically, autism is just another way of thinking. Somehow, some way, the brain gets wired differently, and the person gets a unique way of thinking. These differences are to be treasured as the wonderful things they are.
Here are some signs of autism spectrum disorders, according to the DSM 5:
- Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
- Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life)
- These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay
Let’s break that down. Basically, there are some problems with social interaction. Interactions can be awkward because you don’t know what to say or do. Autistics have a hard time reading facial cues and understanding nonverbal communication. This makes interaction and communication difficult, since so much of communication relies on tones and nonverbals. One study says that 93% of communication is nonverbal, but that is debated.
Autistics tend to have some forms of repetitive behavior. This frequently takes the form of rocking, but any repetitive behavior that is soothing will do. I, for one, pick scabs and I find it incredibly soothing. I also rock and lay down on the floor for comfort. Moreover, autistics have limited interests, usually one or two intense interests. Everything else is just not important. While this can cause problems relating to others, it also is the best way to become an expert.
These behaviors are present from birth. Again, autism does not develop at a later age. You are either born with it or not. If autism goes unrecognized, you will learn coping skills to hide it. That does not mean you are not autistic. I was diagnosed as an adult, and now I have all sorts of things to unlearn. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the more help you can receive.
As John Elder Robison has said, “I believe those of us with [autism spectrum disorders] are here for a reason, and we have much to offer.” Autistic brains work differently, and that means we see things that others do not. That makes us incredibly valuable. You don’t have to be a savant to contribute either. Each and every autistic has much to offer. The sooner you find what you have to offer, the better you will deal with the social awkwardness.
For more information, see:
Mayo Clinics’s list of signs of Autism
National Autism Association list of signs of Autism