What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Day 3 of a 30-day series originally published for Facebook April 2021

ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some need a lot of help, others need less. (CDC).

At its core, Autism is a communication disorder. Autistics see and interact with the world differently. If you take the time to observe long enough, you’ll find those interactions to be incredibly unique and beautiful.

I’ve included two graphics here (source is on the graphics) that highlight some important points. Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it affects each autistic person differently. Currently, the spectrum is divided into 3 categories; levels 1, 2, and 3, and this can be helpful for insurance purposes as far as coverage for services, but in the real world, these labels aren’t that useful. The labels purely benefit non Autistics in their understanding of supports needed, but they do not reflect what the Autistic person feels.