Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability that affects the way that an individual perceives and communicates with people.
As a spectrum disorder, each individual with autism will be affected in different ways. However, according to the National Autistic Society, individuals usually experience some of the following difficulties:
- Communication and social interaction
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, taste or touch
- Repetitive and restrictive behaviour
- Highly focused interests
- Extreme anxiety
- Meltdowns
The history of autism has been turbulent, with the definition constantly evolving as our understanding of the disorder grows.
Due to this, a lot of people struggle to really understand what autism is. Yet there is hope for this to change as autism gets more representation in the media, such as the Netflix shows Atypical and Love on the Spectrum.
How can you support someone with autism?
There cannot be a blanket way of supporting people with autism, which is why you must take a personalised approach to support the individual.
As each individual’s needs will differ, the first step is to get a deeper understanding of the difficulties they face.
Once this has been done, you can begin to take action. For example, you may wish to take steps towards achieving effective communication, including outlining things in a clear and concise manner to avoid misinterpretation.
There is a common misconception that autism inhibits one’s abilities but autism is simply a difference in the way that the individual’s brain operates.
Therefore, the main way that you can support someone with autism is by being patient and non-judgemental.
Do you need care support for yourself or a loved one? Don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out how we can help you.