What does Autism mean?
16 Answers
Moderated by Danielle Johnson, MSED, Community mental Health Counseling, LMHC
Updated: Jan 15, 2021
AshlynDPowell
on
Mar 6, 2015
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Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning there is a varying range of function which can be diagnosed as Autistic. The base definition is that it is a developmental disorder in which one has greater difficulty engaging appropriately in social interactions. The severity of this deficit varies greatly, and the ramifications of each diagnosis are different.
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ListeningCae
on
Jan 18, 2016
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Autism means diversity. Autism means new challenges, new perspectives, new skills, and friends and family, old and new. Autism means being different, but being worthy of love and acceptance all the same.
Anonymous
on
Mar 10, 2015
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Autism means that you care about others more than about yourself. it is antonym of Egoism.
Anonymous
on
May 18, 2015
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Autism is typically defined as a birth defect, though many autistic people, including myself, thinks it is an evolutionary trait. Autistic people tend to be very smart at least in their interests, though may have many physical or social disability. Autistic people are very sensitive in each sense, and it may be painful to them to do simple things or they may be found picky. They are also more sensitive to the fake stuff found in our food, like high fructose and artificial colors, like I am. Some, like my relationship partner has days when he can't do things on his own. Autism has many downsides, but don't we all? At the same time, autism comes with stuff others don't typically have like the understanding of other people with disabilities.
Anonymous
on
Feb 11, 2016
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It is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.
butterflykisses27
on
Jul 11, 2015
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Autism has a really wide spectrum. Meaning its a word that has many disabilities under its umbrella with different names because Autism can effect each person in a different way. For example aspergers syndrome is under the Austism Banner. Its also has a high spectrum and low spectrum measurement in itself. Aspergers effects the developmental side of the brain. Can effect how the person handles social situations and recognition of other people emotions. Most people with Aspergers have one thing they are absolutely fantastic act and are normally really intelligent.
Autistictwin97
on
Apr 4, 2015
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it means that we see things differently and our brains are wired differently we have difficulties in social situations,conversations,verbal and non verbal communication and sensory overload we see the world from a different perception/angle we think in black and white
ClaireyMarie
on
Jul 20, 2015
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Austism: a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.
Arvi21
on
Sep 15, 2015
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. With the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.
PoliteOcean
on
Sep 21, 2015
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You can always find out the meaning of what Autism is by researching. You can look online or ask your own professional healthcare provider. There are probably organizations also that deal with Autism. Good Luck.
YourFutureBestFriend
on
Oct 24, 2015
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Autism is a mild disorder where your mind works and processes things differently. Some people have it mildly, but others have it more. It's not... "BAD"
JurneeJourney
on
Nov 3, 2015
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mental disability, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language
Anonymous
on
Jul 19, 2016
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Autism is a developmental disorder, meaning from before birth, the development of the brain is impaired. The most common effects are difficulty with verbal/nonverbal communication, and social interaction.
SupportiveSockMonkey
on
Apr 24, 2018
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Autism is a mental condition which is characterised greatly in having difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. This is usually present from childhood. Autism is a wide area and is best described as a spectrum. There are those who are more autistic than others and depending what characteristics they have they may have different additional needs.
Anonymous
on
Dec 29, 2020
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Autism is when a person is born with their brain wired differently than what is expected. They are considered "neurodivergent", while a person who does not have autism is considered "neurotypical". If someone has autism, they may react to specific stimuli with more or less sensitivity than a neurotypical person. Examples of this are texture or sound sensitivities. Autistic people also tend to exhibit profound knowledge in personal interests-this is known as hyperfixating. Some people who have autism may have trouble learning other concepts, however, such as social cues like sarcasm. Every case is different though, so if you or someone you know has autism, any experiences are valid whether the medical field outlines those "symptoms" or not. (Source; living with a person with Asperger's syndrome)
LearningMatters281
on
Jan 15, 2021
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Autism is diagnosed based primarily on differences in communication, social issues, and quirks. It's often confused with comorbid issues. For instance, having dyslexia is a problem, but having dyslexia AND really struggling to communicate the problem is prevents self-advocacy. Social issues pile on top such as teasing, feeling not smart, etc. Even worse, 75% of autistics have sensory processing disorder (heightened senses - but getting disregulated which is like mini-nervous system breakdowns that seem unpredictable until you learn to identify them. There are common patterns and they tend to follow functioning level. Gifted, high functioning autistics (used to be called Asperger's) are like Sheldon in the Big Bang theory in that it seems like they shouldn't have problems, but they do.
My teen is autistic/gifted and the new label is twice exceptional. The support groups that are best are 2e groups in most cases. I often find 2e kids in the dyslexia support groups misunderstood because they can perform so well. After spending years getting help, I am often tagged to do an intro to saving your kid because I see patterns. In my day, I was just a self diagnosed nerd. My teen has all the quirks/issues, but the sensory disorder was a beast. She wasn't going to function without interventions. It caused her eyes to practically make her read through optical illusions. Don't start me on why they have florescent lights and loud classrooms. I love them, but they would disregulate her. Sensory therapy was a game changer - but it's not "autism".
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