Autism

     There are a lot of challenges those with autism face on a day to day basis. These challenges can be internally (i.e. overstimulation from texture/smell) or even externally (i.e. socially or lack of accommodations). These challenges can be brought on by other people, such as family or friends, or even brought upon by themselves. On the other hand, a child with autism can cause challenges for other people; such as friends or family. Nonetheless, challenges are common with those with autism and we are going to navigate some of these here today.  Challenges and Solutions     One common challenge for those with autism is anxiety. This can show itself in different ways depending on the person. It could look like social phobias, excessive worrying, and meltdowns or shutdowns when faced with certain situations. There are several things people do in these situations to help which include headphones to drown out any excess noise, wearing a weighted vest, or...

Over the past 20 years, researchers in psychology have attempted to develop unifying theories of the central deficit present in individuals with ASD. While research into these areas is common, no one theory can truly explain all of the behaviors exhibited by any particular individual with ASD. A better understanding of deficits can help us understand challenging behaviors in a new light. Psychological Concepts, Theories, and Models      One theory that is discussed when it comes to ASD is called the Theory of Mind or ToM. ToM was originally developed when researchers were examining characteristics that may or may not be unique to the human species. The idea was that an individual with a theory of mind should be able to identify mental states within themselves and others, and use this information to make predications regarding others’ behavior (Merrill, 2018). This theory suggests that it is impairment in taking the perspective of others that results in many of the common ...

 Several celebrities such as Elon Musk and Dan Aykroyd have come out with being on the autism spectrum. However, I found Andy Burns on YouTube who created his channel in order to educate and share his thoughts, feelings and experiences as somebody with ASD.  Self Concept and Perceptions (& How They Cope) Andy talks about being a teenager with autism and how medias portrayal of ASD made it hard to talk about. In his video Being Open About Autism (And How I am Open About Being Autistic), Andy states that media either portrayed those on the spectrum as "super geniuses or incompetent" which caused him to be asked a lot of uncomfortable questions. This made him self conscious and often says he was very embarrassed of his diagnosis (IndieAndy, 2020). Andy wanted to feel like everybody else and normalize this disorder, which is why he started his YouTube channel IndieAndy. Andy expresses feeling socially awkward and incompetent due to his inability to understand social cues ...

It is said that if you have met one person with autism... that is it! You have only met one person with autism. Autism presents itself differently in every case, which is why it is considered a spectrum disorder. However, here is guide to what you can maybe expect if someone you know has been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The video linked is a brief overview of what is going to be more thoroughly discussed in the article below:  Amazing Things Happen Video Symptoms Signs of autism in young children can look like non-responsiveness to their name, avoidance of eye contact, no reciprocation of emotions (not smiling back when you smile at them), and sensitivity to certain tastes, smells or sounds. There are also some things, known as stims or "stimming" where a child may perform repetitive motions such as arm or hand flapping, body rocking, and finger flicking, this is usually done to get their body/emotions back to homeostasis when they are feeling overwhelmed o...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as a "neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a 'developmental disorder' because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life"  ( Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2022). A spectrum disorder means that there are many ways autism can affect the person with the diagnosis and that not all cases are the same. Historical and Contemporary Overview Autism was first diagnosed in 1912 by a psychiatrist by the name of Eugene Bleuler. In his definition of autism, it was someone who was self-absorbed and out of touch with the rest of the world. " The word autism is derived from the Greek word autos, meaning self. The term was chosen to communicates the social and communicative isolation that is the foremost feature of the illness"  ( Historical and Contemporary Understanding of Autism...