As Autism Awareness Month comes to a close, medical professionals and clinicians are working to help the public better understand what autism is—and just as importantly, what it isn’t.
Autism spectrum disorder, often referred to as autism, is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them.
From a clinical standpoint, neurologist Dr. Lisa Wright says autism is defined by two broad categories of traits.
“Autism is a condition where it describes two general types of traits,” Wright explained. “One of the traits… would have to do with language and social dysfunction or difficulties. And then the other general trait would have to do with things like repetitive behaviors or kind of sensory sensitivities.”
Those traits can vary widely from person to person—something experts say is often misunderstood.
“People forget that it is a spectrum,” said Amanda Heiden, CEO and owner of Success On The Spectrum in Texas City. “There are so many different individual differences… it’s not a one-size-fits-all.”
Because of that wide range, common stereotypes about autism don’t always reflect reality. One misconception is that individuals with autism are not social.
“One of the misconceptions is that autistic people are not social,” said Katherine Apolinar, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Director. “But that doesn’t mean that they do not value or seek out connection with people.”
Recognizing early signs
Doctors say some of the earliest indicators of autism often appear during childhood development, particularly in communication.
“If we start to see abnormal language development in general… and then… difficulty engaging where they might have eye contact… those are early signs,” Wright said.
However, clinicians emphasize that developmental delays alone do not automatically mean a child is on the autism spectrum.
“Just because you see those signs doesn’t necessarily mean that they are on the spectrum,” Heiden said. “They may just need a minute.”
Still, early identification can be key.
“We always want this to be identified as early as possible,” Wright said. “The younger children do very very well with certain types of therapy interventions.”
Understanding sensory sensitivities
For many individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities can play a major role in daily life. These sensitivities can involve sound, light, touch, or other environmental factors.
“It could be the train going by, it could be the dogs barking… it could be a big monster truck event,”Heiden explained. “It can vary extremely widely.”
Because those sensitivities differ so much from person to person, experts say patience and awareness from others can make a big difference—especially in public situations.
“Remain calm and give space and really just not judge,” Apolinar said.
Why awareness matters
Understanding autism is especially important for those who may interact with individuals in high-pressure situations, such as first responders, teachers, and service workers.
“Instructions may need to be… one or two instructions and not something too complex… maybe a little slow,” Wright said.
Ultimately, experts say autism should not be viewed as something that needs to be “fixed,” but rather understood.
“It’s not something to be fixed but understood,” Heiden said. “We create an environment… that is better for everybody.”
Finding support
Families seeking support have access to a growing number of resources, including early childhood intervention programs, therapy services, and specialized care providers.
Experts encourage parents or caregivers who have concerns about a child’s development to speak with their pediatrician, as early evaluation can open the door to helpful services and support.
