One of the biggest challenges for someone caring for a child or adult with autism is not understanding how they really experience the world. Autism is a condition that often leaves the person alone. It is also very difficult for an outsider to understand these symptoms . That is why today we will talk about this very simply, as if we were your own friend.
Two main keys to understanding autism
According to experts, the first key to understanding autism is to accept that this condition completely changes the way a person sees the world, that is, the way they perceive the world.
Think of it this way. It's as if a person with autism has an imbalance in their sensory system. It's as if some of their senses are turned up too high and some are turned down too low . As a result, the information that comes to their brain is often distorted. So, it's very difficult for them to understand their environment accurately.
For those of us who are not autistic, that is, those with a "normal nervous system" ( neurotypical ), we have an innate ability to filter out irrelevant things in our environment and select only what is important. All of our senses work together to help us focus on what is relevant.
Imagine you walk into a room full of people. You immediately notice who's there, what they're doing, and how you relate to it. It's just something that happens to us.
But if someone with autism walks into that room, their attention might be focused on a sound outside the window, a pattern on the carpet, or a light bulb going on and off. They miss the things that are most relevant at that moment, like what people are saying and how they're behaving. So the whole world seems very confusing and chaotic to them.
The second key is to understand that people with autism are trying desperately to make sense of this chaos , this mess, and to make sense of it. Many of their behaviors, which to us on the outside seem strange and difficult to understand, are actually attempts to communicate with or control this chaotic world.
What do these symptoms really mean?
What are some of the things that can be difficult for someone on the autistic spectrum to do in life? Let's take a look at them. When you understand the reasons behind these behaviors, you can better understand them.
| Characteristic/Behavior | What it could mean |
|---|---|
| Hypersensitivity to noise | Loud noises can be painful for them. They may not be able to stand the sound of traffic on the road or the noise of shops. At times like these, they cover their ears . Some do things like rocking or hand flapping to relieve the pressure. |
| Hypersensitivity to touch | Even things that we don't notice, like the touch of clothing on our bodies or a slight breeze, can be unpleasant for them. Some children feel like the hairs that touch their skin when they get their hair cut are pricking them with needles. |
| Communication difficulties | Delayed speech is one of the first signs. But that doesn't mean they're less intelligent. They have trouble understanding how language works. They get very frustrated when they can't say what they want. Some people can't even identify or express their feelings. So when they feel stressed, they resort to repetitive behaviors instead of talking about it. |
| Problems in social relationships | Many people think that people with autism are people who like to be alone. That's wrong. They really want to be social, but they don't know how to do it . The unspoken rules of society are a mystery to them. Therefore, social relationships are something that brings them a lot of anxiety. Some people tell the truth more than they should. Therefore, sometimes it can hurt the feelings of others. |
The ways they deal with this chaotic world
People with autism use certain behaviors to bring order to the chaos they feel.
"Stimming"
This is short for "self-stimulatory behaviors ." These include things like hand flapping, repeating the same words, making different noises, and walking in circles. Sometimes, you can even see self- injurious behaviors like banging your head against the wall.
Although these may seem very strange to us from the outside, they are actually not much different from habits like nail biting or leg tapping. The intensity of these behaviors in people with autism is just higher. Many people say that this "stimming" brings them pleasure. For some, it helps them get out of a stressful situation. It also helps them focus.
The need to keep everything in order (Compulsive organization)
A child with autism may come home from school and within 15 minutes have all of his toy dinosaurs lined up in a single line in his room. This can be shocking to parents.
"We like order," says a young man with autism. "Some kids sort their toys by size. Some by color. They do it the same way every day."
This order can also affect their daily schedule. They are used to doing their daily tasks on the same schedule . If it changes even slightly, they can become very upset and sad. If one book on the shelf is upside down, they may feel like the entire bookshelf is in disarray. This is their attempt to bring order to a chaotic world.
Intellectual obsessions
This is also a common feature seen in autism. They can have amazing, deep knowledge about a single subject. It could be cricket player stats, cartoon character descriptions, or types of vehicles.
This interest is like an anchor for them. This knowledge helps them not to get lost in the chaotic world. And, for you to take care of it, it is the best gateway into their world.
"If your child is crazy about the 'SpongeBob' cartoon, learn about SpongeBob too. Because that's how you can talk to him," advises one person with autism.
When your child is upset, talking about a topic they like can help calm them down. That means it's important to try to connect with them on their own level .
What parents and caregivers can do
Caring for someone with autism can be challenging, but the good news is that with the right treatment and interventions, you can make a big difference.
The best thing is that people with autism can learn many things that they don't understand naturally through direct instruction . Things that a normal child would simply learn, for example, understanding social situations, reading facial expressions, can be taught to them step by step.
There are various treatments for this. For example, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), Floortime, etc. But one method does not suit everyone. The most important thing is to talk to your doctor and decide which method is best for your child .
Your role as a parent is very important. Your dedication and perseverance determine their future. While you create a safe environment for your child at home, you should also try to expand their boundaries little by little.
"As a parent or caregiver, you first have to enter the world of the person with autism. Only then can you bring them out of it."
So, instead of forcing them into the "real world," try to see it from their perspective first. Your love, patience, and understanding are the best medicine they can get.
Take-Home Message
- Autism is not a disease, it's a different way of seeing the world. Their senses work very differently than ours.
- Their behaviors that seem strange to us (stimming, trying to keep things in order) are actually ways they use to deal with a chaotic world.
- People with autism want to be social, but they don't know how to do it. They need help with that.
- The best way to enter their world is to be interested in the things they are interested in. Connect with them through those topics.
- Be sure to see your doctor or a pediatrician for the most appropriate treatment and advice for your child.
- As a parent, your patience, love, and understanding are the greatest strength a child can have.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න