Image Credit: Autism Speaks

I stumbled upon this article via Facebook back in July. I thought it was fascinating, and it prompted me to learn more about autism.

Here’s the link to the original post:

• The women who don’t know they’re autistic

The article primarily focuses on what’s known as “high-functioning” autism in women. This means autism without intellectual disability.

According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities:

Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.

For years, it’s been studied, and widely publicized, that more boys than girls are diagnosed with autism.

Autism is defined as the following:

a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.

It’s estimated that 1 out of 68 children in the United States are on the autism spectrum. For boys, it’s around 1 in 42.  For girls, it’s around 1 in 189.

Some of autism’s signs can now be recognized as early as 18 months of age, but are usually identified and diagnosed between the ages of two and three.

Parents are encouraged to seek evaluation of their child without delay. Early intervention can improve outcomes.

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In 2013, all autism disorders were merged under one umbrella diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Previously, they were distinct sub-types,  including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger Syndrome.

Despite more childhood diagnoses, it’s becoming more common for people to be diagnosed as adults.

According to the Madison House Autism Foundation:

• Those with autism may have exponentially acute senses. Bright or fluorescent lighting can be overwhelming. Loud sounds and crowds of people may be as well.
• The ability to concentrate for long periods of time on one thing, and their attention to detail is something those without autism find enviable.
• They are often highly visual people, and many have found ways to communicate through multiple mediums besides with words.
• Those with autism may avoid eye contact with other people and, because they often take language literally, may have difficulty with metaphors, humor, and sarcasm. Interpreting what others are thinking or feeling is challenging because they have difficulty understanding social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions.
• It is a myth that those with autism are unable to feel empathy.
• Those with autism think, process, and behave differently than neurotypical individuals.

As renowned animal rights activist and professor Temple Grandin says, they are “Different, but not less.” They can, with support and slight modifications, become assets to every community and the workforce.

The main point I’m trying to get at – Individuals with autism are individuals. They are amazing. They may think and behave a little differently than others, but it’s important to recognize them and appreciate them.

The original article provided and cited a variety of sources:

• Invisible at the End of the Spectrum: Shadows, Residues, ‘BAP,’ and the Female Aspergers Experience
• I was diagnosed with autism in my 40s. It’s not just a male condition
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Data & Statistics
• Asperger syndrome – The National Autistic Society
• NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
• This study aims to explore the school experience of females with Asperger syndrome (University of Tasmania)
• The Invisible Difference (2016)

This article shone a spotlight on women and how we can recognize smaller, less noticeable signs of ASD.

• Compensating for communication impediments they may not be consciously aware of.
• Not being good at guessing what people are thinking.
• Hypersensitivities – Smells, sounds, bright lights, etc.
• Reduced sensitivity to pain.
• Misdiagnosed psychological disorders.
• Taste for solitude.
• Intensity of passions.
• Talking about one subject / topic for extended periods of time, longer than normal (i.e., spending hours focusing on one thing in particular and not deviating).
• Not wearing jewelry because of the way metal feels on the skin.
• Not wearing certain clothing because of sensitivity to fabrics, tags, buttons, zippers, etc.

Given some of these signs and symptoms, it’s fairly easy to interpret or assume that a woman may be an introvert, be shy, have an undiagnosed anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a speech impediment, or some form of a developmental or intellectual disability.

As the article indicates, ideally, a lot of women being diagnosed with autism as adults could have / should have been diagnosed as children. Luckily, these childhood diagnoses are improving every day. Leaps and bounds have been made in the last 20-30 years, and research is ongoing. However, doctors and psychologists alike need to remain vigilant, and keep a close eye on young girls exhibiting similar signs and symptoms, especially since autism symptoms in girls have appeared to be less obtrusive than those in boys.

For more information, here are some more links and resources. Education is so important. Continual learning and studying will help all of us better understand ASD, and start to take away the stigma!

I have immense respect for those who work in special education, work with individuals with ASD, and parents that have children with ASD. My hat goes off to all of you!

• Autism Speaks
• Easterseals
• Life on the Spectrum (U.K.)
• Early Warning Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (CDC)
• Autism Research Institute – Cleveland Clinic
• Autism Society of America
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network
• Madison House Autism Foundation (Maryland)
• Autistic Alex (Blog)
• Adapt Station – My dear friend Nicole’s Facebook page
• Adaptation Station – My dear friend Nicole’s blog

April is National Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Society encourages everyone to join them in promoting awareness, action, inclusion, acceptance, and appreciation.

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd of every year. It’s one of only four official health-specific United Nations (UN) days.

Several movies have been released, featuring prominent characters with autism or ASD behaviors. Children of the Stars is an award-winning documentary about children with autism in China.

• Rain Man (1988)
• Children of the Stars (2007)
• Temple Grandin (2010)
• The Big Short (2015)

What do you think? Do you know someone that is autistic?

Do you have any ideas about how to help those with ASD?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂