My grandson was diagnosed with Autism –several years ago. My search for understanding of the disorder was launched. But my curiosity about Autism was nothing new. I knew that a great aunt who cared for us when I was very young had Autism. I heard them talk about it but I wasn’t old enough to know what it was. It sounded like something really awful. I suspected that other family members were affected as well and I grew up with a lot of shame over it. I have since realized how many of my family members have been touched by Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder is just what is says! It is a spectrum and it is a disabling disorder that looks different in all who have it. The predisposition toward Autism is genetic or neurological; that is it tends to run in families while environmental factors also play a role. My life has been touched many times and in many ways by Autism. As an educator I received a lot of training on Autism so that I might better understand my students. That training also helped me see why some of my family members and myself as well have had more struggles in life than most. I spent my entire life working really hard to achieve and cover up my difficulties, but I always felt like a “square peg in a round hole.”
Most of the people affected by Autism are never aware of it. Asperger’s is part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and can be disabling as well. Asperger’s is very difficult to diagnose. An individual with Asperger’s may seem normal or even quite intelligent. That is why it is often referred to as a “hidden disability.” When given an IQ Test a person with Asperger’s might score very high (though not always) on the verbal portion of the exam and normal on the Performance or mathematical/problem-solving part of the exam. Occasionally the scores are reversed where a person might be gifted mathematically, but achieve a normal verbal score. A 26 point spread between the verbal and performance score is referred to as a “Learning Disability,” though it is not the only type of learning disability.
“The difficulty in understanding and acknowledging autism, primarily high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, by the medical, psychological, and psychiatric community, can lead to misdiagnosis and even failure to provide the services needed for students.” (Autism Today, 2007). Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) is indeed part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder.
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have existing comorbid conditions such as Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and/or Depression that are secondary to the Autism Spectrum Disorder. The primary diagnosis (ASD) is never recognized by most professionals. The physician generally treats only one, if any of the secondary disorders –most often depression. –quote from Neurology Today
“People with Asperger’s Syndrome are often described, as having social skills deficits, reluctance to listen, difficulty understanding social give and take, are typically quite misunderstood and/or misdiagnosed.” Autism at DisabledWorld.com
The reality for many with Asperger’s is they suffer from shyness, slow speech/body movements, depression, motivational problems –too little or too much, anger, deficits in: auditory discrimination, visual discrimination, concept of time and space, and/or deficits in organizational skills –yet they have a high degree of intelligence.
All of you can relate to some of these difficulties but a diagnosis is made when these difficulties have a significant impact on a person’s work, family and/or social life. When I was in college a professor of mine once said, “Don’t get nervous if you identify with some of the things you are hearing. We are all a little bit crazy, so it is a matter of degree not kind that determines a diagnosis.”
Some people with Autism Spectrum Disorder receive years of counseling therapy without any significant change while others do improve in their life skills and ability to control their moods. Most people with ASD benefit best from a combination of counseling and drug therapy (prescribed by a competent psychiatrist who understands Autism.)
The single most important factor, however, for helping a person with Autism live a happy successful life is a loving, supportive and encouraging environment. A person with Autism or Asperger’s is often very gifted mentally but lacks the ability to convey it to the world.
Some famous people with Asperger’s Autism or people thought to have Asperger’s.
So if you have a family member, co-worker or friend who is shy, clumsy, forgetful, loses things, or doesn’t always “get it” just give them a break. They probably can’t help it. If they have Asperger’s they will thrive in an environment that is warm and loving, forgiving and encouraging, and supportive of their unique gifts. You just might have an “Einstein” or “Abraham Lincoln” in your midst. Just love them!