It is widely accepted that all people are entitled to dignity. This basic right is enshrined in various international human rights documents and is considered a cornerstone of humanity. However, there are groups of people who are often treated without dignity or who have their dignity violated on a regular basis. One of these groups is people with autism. Autism is a developmental disorder that … Continue reading Autism: Identity & Dignity as a Right
Loud noises can be a real challenge for people with autism. Many people with autism are sensitive to sound, and loud noises can be overwhelming and even painful. There are a few things you can do to help reduce the impact of loud noises on someone with autism. One is to provide earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. If possible, try to find a quiet place for … Continue reading Autism Loud Noises
It’s the Fourth of July, and for many people with autism and their families, that means celebrating in a different way. While some people with autism may enjoy the traditional activities associated with the holiday – such as barbecues, picnics and fireworks – others may find them to be overwhelming. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication and behavior. People with autism … Continue reading Autistic 4th of July: Autism Sensory
Folks prefer that you don’t say someone suffers from autism. The language we use to talk about autism can have a big impact on how people are perceived. What you say or don’t say can have a powerful impact on inclusion and emotional wellbeing. Negative language surrounding autism can be hurtful and make people feel isolated and misunderstood. It’s important to be mindful of the … Continue reading Don’t Say Suffers from Autism
We all can do better when it comes to autism stereotypes. Lumping people together into groups and then making assumptions about them based on those groups is called stereotyping, and it can be offensive and hurtful. When we stereotype, we make snap judgments about people based on their appearance, ethnicity, gender, age, or other factors, without really knowing anything about them as individuals. We might … Continue reading Autism Stereotypes: The Dangers
Autism positivity is meaningful and can change lives. In the face of the onslaught of negativities, real people exist behind the autism label. Real people with real lives that want to be included and that want to feel good about themselves, just like everyone else. Negativities may help with research funding and the understanding of situations of desperation, but a life of increased isolation fueled … Continue reading Autism Positivity: Why it’s so Important
Autism wandering is a dangerous and often deadly behavior exhibited by some people with autism. It is characterized by a person walking or running away from a safe place, like their home or school, without any apparent destination in mind. While the exact cause of autism wandering is unknown, it is believed to be linked to a combination of factors, including sensory processing issues, difficulty … Continue reading Autism Wandering
Answering the question, what is autism and what is the autism spectrum? There is not one type of autism. Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that there is a wide range of symptoms, severity, and functional level. People with autism may be high functioning, with mild symptoms, or low functioning, with severe symptoms. Some people with autism are nonverbal, while others speak fluently. There … Continue reading What is Autism?
What is online autistic advocacy? There are two very different groups when it comes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), those who see autistic people as a community and those who see them as part of the autism community. Each group has its own unique perspective, and each offers a different level of support and advocacy. The autistic community is made up of autistic people and … Continue reading Online Autistic Advocacy
Autism sensory sensitivities are common among individuals with autism. These sensitivities can include oversensitivity to sound, touch, smell, taste, and sight. Most individuals with autism have at least one of these sensitivities. Some research suggests that sensory sensitivities are a result of an overactive or underactive nervous system. This means that the individual’s brain is either not receiving enough input or is receiving too much … Continue reading Autism Sensory Sensitivities
