Living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a unique experience for everyone with this diagnosis. It’s a complex condition that can impact various aspects of an individual’s life. From difficulties with communication and social skills, to sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviors, autism can present itself in many ways.
However, despite these challenges, individuals with ASD have strengths and abilities that should be celebrated. With understanding and support from family, friends, and the community, those with autism can thrive and live their lives to their fullest capacity.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
ASD, or autism, is a developmental disorder that can impair a person’s ability to socialize and communicate with others. Depending on its severity, autism could impact someone’s ability to function in everyday situations. It makes things such as switching tasks and knowing how to properly respond during conversations difficult.
An ASD diagnosis is broken into levels to indicate how much support someone will need to navigate daily life.
Level One
Those with ASD level one need support communicating with their peers and making plans. They may experience social anxiety because they often miss social cues, misread body language, and may not respond appropriately. It may also be difficult for them to initiate conversations and stay engaged for longer conversations. During these interactions, individuals may consciously or subconsciously mask — a method used to modify their behavior to appear more neurotypical.
Some attempts to mask can include:
- Forcing oneself to make eye contact
- Mirroring facial expressions
- Limiting self-expression
- Changing tone of voice or speech patterns
- Engaging in less noticeable repetitive behaviors
Masking can lead to mental and physical exhaustion or burnout, which in turn could cause someone with autism to feel disconnected from others and make it difficult for them to try new things and make plans.
Level Two
Those with ASD level two have a harder time masking in social situations than those with level one. They also have a harder time communicating and socializing. At level two, they rarely initiate conversations with others and have an intense fascination with special interests.
If they speak to others, it may solely be in reference to their interest.
Their repetitive behaviors are more pronounced and may appear inappropriate to a neurotypical person. Some may pace or hum at inopportune times, have difficulty with changing situations or switching tasks, and even with support, they may have trouble living independently.
Level Three
Those with ASD level three require the most support as they are unable to mask in social situations. Their repetitive behaviors are even more pronounced than at level two, and this interferes with their ability to manage daily tasks. They may feel more comfortable with parallel play or interacting based on scripts rather than initiating social interactions with a neurotypical person.
It’s important to note these levels represent general classifications. Someone’s experience with ASD can be fluid, exhibiting traits associated with more than one level. And an initial assigned level could change as an individual responds to therapy or accommodations. While some people with autism may be able to live independently with minimal support, others need constant support.
ASD can also exist alongside other disorders, like depression, epilepsy, eating issues, sleep disorders, and more. This can make ASD difficult to recognize at first as symptoms may overlap with other conditions.
What Are Some Signs of Autism?
While signs may appear before a child turns two, most children in the United States can receive a diagnosis by age five. Every child with ASD has behaviors unique to them. Some children may not respond when being called. Others may have aversions to certain textures, flavors, or sounds.
Some signs of autism in children can include, but aren’t limited to:
- Not showing facial expressions by nine months
- Infrequent to no response to their name by nine months
- Delayed or minimal use of gestures by age one
- Lack of pointing by 18 months of age
- Delayed or minimal speech by age two
- Does not play with other children by age three or play pretend by age four
- Inappropriate fixation with toys, such as lining them up or playing only with the smaller parts of the toy
- Repetitive behaviors: hand flapping or repeating words
- Sensitivity to every day usual noises
Although ASD can be detected in children, some people may not receive their diagnosis until later in life. Some signs of autism in adults can include, but aren’t limited to:
- Difficulty understanding and responding to nonverbal cues like waving, facial expressions, emotional shifts, eye contact, etc.
- Atypical emotional responses
- Engaging in repetitive behaviors like flapping hands, spinning, rocking, humming, repeating certain words or phrases, etc.
- Difficulty or avoiding initiating social interactions
- Special interests and little to no interest in other things
- Sensory aversions
- Difficulty adjusting to changes in environment and/or routine
Understanding Life with Autism
Autism exists on a spectrum, and living with it is different for everyone. For those on the spectrum, the world is perceived in a distinct manner, often characterized by intense focus on interests, heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and challenges in social skills and communication. These can make for a very challenging life. Despite these challenges, individuals with autism also exhibit remarkable strengths and abilities, such as exceptional memory, attention to detail, and an unparalleled depth of knowledge in areas of interest.
People with autism may be verbal, while others may be nonverbal but use assistive technology to communicate with others. Those diagnosed with what was previously called Asperger’s syndrome, which now falls into the broader ASD diagnosis, have some trouble with social interactions but can navigate daily life with minimal support. Their social awkwardness can make it challenging to make new friends or stay engaged in social settings for extended periods.
Many with ASD experience sensory overload, which could make the feeling of wearing certain clothes, being touched, or even going to the movies challenging. Sensory issues won’t fade with age; however, those with ASD can learn coping strategies to better navigate these aversions. Support from family, friends, and even colleagues can be vital for empowering those with autism to lead fulfilling lives.
Empathy and Understanding Are Vital for a More Compassionate Society
ASD presents unique challenges in social interactions and communication, which can profoundly affect someone’s daily life. Despite these hurdles, with adequate support and thoughtful planning, individuals with autism can achieve remarkable milestones in their educational pursuits. Education tailored to their needs, along with opportunities for independent living, can empower them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Symptoms and characteristics vary widely, underscoring the need for a personalized approach in support and understanding. This diversity also speaks to the remarkable range of talents and perspectives that individuals with autism bring to their communities and workplaces. Recognizing the challenges faced by individuals with autism, while also valuing their strengths and contributions, fosters an environment where everyone can thrive.
At the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), empathy and compassion are woven into the foundation of our Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. We prepare aspiring doctors to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care to better serve patients from all backgrounds. By promoting inclusivity in healthcare, AUC aims to encourage a more compassionate generation of doctors who celebrate differences and help patients access the care they deserve.
AUC alumni community impact – Caring for patients with Autism:
“It’s definitely been beneficial to work directly with patients. I’m able to detect autism in non-English speaking children here, and we’ve expanded our autism clinics to be conducted in Spanish and Portuguese.”
Dr. Silvia Pereira-Smith, MD (’12) in “Silvia Pereira-Smith on Dissolving Language Barriers | AUC"
“It’s still amazing to me—the intersection of science and humanity, watching neurotransmitters become behavior. Having a mother tell you that nobody has been able to help her child with autism before, but he just called her ‘Mommy’ for the first time. I can’t think of a better or more rewarding job than to help someone like that.”
Dr. Shubhrajan “Raj” Wadyal, MD (’09) in "Alumni Spotlight: How the Wadyals Built their Future at AUC"
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