Health Articles

by Deb Hadley, AIWC Düsseldorf and Health Team Co-Chair 

What do Jerry Seinfed, Woody Allen, Greta Thunberg and Albert Einstein have in common? Such different people with different talents, skills, personalities and interests. The thing that unites them all is that they are on the autism spectrum. April is Autism Acceptance Month, and these four individuals serve as a good reminder of how diversely autism can present itself. 

Autism is often referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) because it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is called a “spectrum” disorder because it can manifest in a wide range of symptoms and severity levels, which can vary greatly by individual.¹ This spectrum is not linear, a concept that is extremely well illustrated in this web comic strip. 

It is worth noting that many people with autism do not like the ASD terminology, as they do not feel their condition is a disorder. Out of respect, the for purposes of this article, the word “autism” will be used to refer to the spectrum as a whole.

Autism typically manifests and is diagnosed in childhood, but depending on severity, symptoms and access to appropriate care, it is not uncommon for it to be diagnosed in adolescence and adulthood. 

Some of the symptoms, signs and issues that people with autism can struggle with include:

• Social difficulties: They may experience difficulty with social interactions, such as difficulty with nonverbal communication, have difficulty understanding or responding appropriately to social cues and difficulty developing and maintaining relationships. 
• Communication challenges: Some people with autism experience difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication. They may have delayed speech development, difficulty with language comprehension, or struggle with expressive or emotive language. Some individuals with autism may not speak at all and may rely on alternative forms of communication, such as sign language or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
• Repetitive behaviors: Some people with autism may display repetitive behaviors like repetitive movements or vocal stimming. Some may have strict adherence to rigid routines or schedules, and some exhibit extreme resistance to change or deviation from routine.
• Restricted interests: People with autism may have intense and narrow interests in specific topics or activities and may have difficulty focusing on or engaging in activities that are not part of their restricted interests. 
• Sensory sensitivities: Many individuals with autism have sensory sensitivities, such as over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to sensory stimuli like lights, sounds, textures, or smells. This can result in sensory overload or sensory-seeking behaviors.
• Mental health / Intellectual difficulties: People with autism are at a higher risk of mental health issues like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Some people with autism can have average or above-average intelligence, but many struggle with intellectual disabilities. Other neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD often co-occur with autism.²

It is important to note that not all people with autism will have all of these symptoms and that the severity of the symptoms can vary greatly. In many cases, autism is not outwardly obvious and thus can qualify as an “invisible disability.”  

Getting an autism diagnosis can be a long and arduous process. There is no specific test that will diagnose it, and it will often involve seeing a variety of mental health and medical professionals.³ It will also be location specific and depend on the age at which diagnosis is sought and the experience of the professionals sought. Sadly, in many places – including in wealthy and developed nations – there are often excruciatingly long waiting lists and under-funded and under-resourced services. 

Autism Acceptance Month is important, because it gives us as individuals and communities a chance to become informed about the condition and the experiences of people with autism. It reminds us to look at ways to make ourselves and our communities more inclusive, accepting and welcoming for people on the spectrum. 

It gives us a chance to use platforms like this one to promote awareness and inclusion and to develop empathy and understanding by listening to people with autism and learning from their experiences and stories. It is an opportunity to embrace neurodiversity and the unique skills and strengths that people across the spectrum bring to our world. It is a time to reflect upon our personal privilege, views and biases and consider ways that we can be more accepting and respectful to the people around us. 

As clubs and organizations we can consider accessibility, inclusivity and language. Are our communications clear and easy to understand? Are our activities and events welcoming and accessible to neurodiverse people, or could they be quite overwhelming to people with sensory issues or who have social or communication difficulties? Do we keep up to date with local groups and services that may be of assistance to members who need help navigating a diagnosis or needing support for themselves or a family member? Do we have neurodiverse people in our communities who would like to share their stories or experiences in our magazines or newsletters or do a talk for our members? 

Let’s embrace neurodiversity and realize that the world is a better place because of the wonderfully diverse and different brains we all have.

^{1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | Autism | NCBDDD | CDC}

² Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014 | MMWR

³ Screening and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder | CDC

Further Reading:

Autism Acceptance Month

It's Autism Acceptance Month! Here's what autistic advocates want you to know, and do.

This April Is Autism Acceptance Month | Psychology Today

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