What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Credit: The National Autistic Society
Also known as ASD or ‘Autism’ colloquially, there are many attempts to define it, each no less confusing than the last.
At its heart, it is a developmental disability affecting how people perceive the world and interact with others.
The creator of the term used it to describe withdrawal into one’s inner world — a phenomenon he observed in individuals with schizophrenia (you know, he coined the term 'schizophrenia' too!).
Features of Autism
Persons on the spectrum generally exhibit two main features:
Ψ difficulties in social settings in communication and interaction, and
Ψ repetitive or restricted patterns of behaviour or activities.
A large number of persons with ASD will also experience difficulties in sensorial processing (such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity) of their environment.
Every instance or “experience” of Autism is different and exists somewhere along the spectrum.
Just as how every fingerprint or retina is different and unique, no two cases of ASD are identical. Each instance of Autism brings with it its own special and peculiar features and are generally classified into one of three levels of severity: Requiring Support, Substantial Support, or Very Substantial Support. In severe cases, persons with ASD may require closer supervision round-the-clock close.
