Autism Perspective

Found on Pixabay, photo taken by Ivabalk Have you ever caught yourself biting your nails or lips when you were nervous or bored? How about taping your foot or nails on a surface? These are some examples of self-stimulating behavior, also known as stimming , in the autism community. These behaviors are seen as usual by the majority of people who are close to someone with autism. So why is it that someone with autism or neurodiverse is seen as unnatural, weird, or dangerous? There are various stims that someone can do, some less destructive than others. The most well-known autistic stims are rocking, flapping, spinning, and walking on tiptoes. These stims are what most people associate with autistic stimming.  The main reason why someone with autism stims is to regulate their sensory experiences and manage stress. Unfortunately, these movements have often been stigmatized and misunderstood by society. There have been many cases where a non-verbal or verbal autistic person has been pu...

By @chairufajar found on unsplach.com What may look like a tantrum and an out-of-control person to you could actually be someone having a sensory overload. Sensory overload is known as a meltdown for those familiar with autism. Sensory information is the information you get from your five senses; however, those on the autism spectrum take in more information than their brain can handle. This extra sensory information can cause a spiral into sensory overload and lead to being overstimulated. Autism is a spectrum, so everyone is different. Sensory overload can cause anxiety, stress, physical pain, a breakdown, and withdrawal. Not all sensory overloads result in a meltdown. Some people will become withdrawn and quiet. The National Autistic Society gives examples of things that can cause sensory overload. For instance, while fluorescent lights in the supermarket are bright to neurotypicals, for me and many autistic people, it is like staring at the sun. These types of lights hurt my eyes....

    Everyone wants to feel like they fit in. Making friends and feeling like you belong begins in early childhood and continues throughout life. Unfortunately, for those with autism, that process can be delayed or never happen. This can leave some autistic people feeling different and alone. I know I have often felt that way; I have autism. I have struggled throughout my life, but it wasn't  until I was diagnosed with autism that I finally understood what made me different.  As I have gotten older, I understand the need to find others with the same interests.  Autism spectrum disorder is "a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior."( National Institute of Mental Health ). It is a spectrum, meaning there are varying degrees of this condition. From the nonverbal to the high functioning and everything in between. I happen to fall in the "high-functioning" categor...