Autism

What is it?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental neurological condition that affects a person’s thinking, emotions, and behavior. The disorder affects how a person communicates and relates to others. Because the symptoms and severity of ASD can vary drastically from person to person, this disorder is defined as being on a “spectrum.”

3 Reasons it Matters

1. A person with autism spectrum disorder might hyper-focus on a topic that is interesting to them, making it difficult to share the back and forth of a conversation with another person. Sometimes, this results in the autistic person being perceived or misunderstood as self-centered.
2. People with autism often struggle with rigid black and white thinking. They may also find it difficult to navigate transitions and can come across as controlling, oppositional, or demanding.
3. Many people with autism have heightened or lowered sensitivity to sounds, light, textures, smells, or the taste of food.