Autism in society
Autism spectrum disorder is a very well-known disability and often is considered an invisible disability. It has a wide and varied set of symptoms and affects each person differently. It is usually accompanied with a set of problems as wide and varied as its symptoms, including financial issues, co-existing conditions, social stigma, and many others. It is a fairly prevalent disorder, and diagnoses continue to increase year by year (Turkington and Nurmi, 168).
Autism is very different for each individual it affects, and one major problem for autistic people in society is the pre-conceived notions people hold around the word autism.
Autism affects different people in many different ways. Generally, it affects communication, emotional regulation, and physical coordination, but the way it does is different for everybody, and it may or may not affect other aspects of life as well. Autistic people may experience some, many, or all of the following symptoms: aversion to eye contact, being non-verbal, emotional outbreaks, limited or extreme empathy, overreaction or under-reaction to physical or emotional stimulus, stunted growth, and countless others (Turkington and Nurmi, 168–170). There are many different levels of extremity to the point where some people on the spectrum have mild enough symptoms that people around them don’t notice or extreme enough that they are incapable of taking care of themselves. Many people have ideas about what autism is and isn’t that erroneously limit it, which can be harmful to people on the spectrum or those close to them.
Media plays a large role in how people view autism. Most media portrayals of autism depict people in the mild-middle part of the spectrum and showcase a very limited set of symptoms. Allison Singer, the president of the Autism Science Foundation, explains, “To the TV-watching public, autism has come to mean the verbal, higher-skilled, savant end of the spectrum, because individuals at that end make for interesting characters” (Singer). In most television shows and movies that feature an autistic character, that character is usually depicted as a highly intelligent individual with noticeable but manageable communication struggles and an extreme aptitude in a certain field. Some examples are The Good Doctor, Rain Man, and Temple Grandin. There is almost no representation of people with extreme symptoms or diminished intellect, as well as people with extremely mild symptoms. For the most part, media depicts autistic people as “awkward” and shows almost no other side of the disability. This is likely largely responsible for the narrow views many people have surrounding autism.
In addition to the variety in symptoms that goes unrecognized in modern society, autism often comes with all kinds of additional issues that many people don’t realize. One example of this is co-existing conditions. People on the spectrum have been reported to be more likely to experience many different physical and mental conditions, including ADHD, depression, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, and many others (Interactive Autism Network). Financial struggle is also a common issue for autistic people that often goes unrecognized. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2006, costs for hospitalizations, clinic visits, and prescription medication are on average over double for children with ASD compared to children without ASD (Croen et al.). All of these issues commonly occur with people on the autism spectrum, but these issues go unrecognized far too often.
There are many ways to help make society a better place for people on the spectrum. One of the most important things to do is refrain from making assumptions about someone because they are autistic. Assumptions made will likely be wrong considering the wide variety of symptoms and seventies that can arise with autism. Be respectful of each individual’s challenges and needs and how to best accommodate them personally. Many people on the spectrum may not even need any additional accommodation to be a friend or worker. There are also many benefits that often arise from being or knowing an autistic person, so pursuing a relationship with an atypical person can be enriching to each party involved.
In conclusion, just as there is no one set of issues an autistic person will face, there is no one thing that people can do to help them. Be patient and understanding of each individual’s needs and let go of pre-conceived ideas about the nature of autism. This will make the world better for people with ASD and those around them.
Works Cited:
Croen, L. A., et al. “A Comparison of Health Care Utilization and Costs of Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Large Group-Model Health Plan.” PEDIATRICS, vol. 118, no. 4, 2006, pp. e1203–11. Crossref, doi:10.1542/peds.2006–0127.
Arthur Elgort. Young men, woman and girl with cat on picnic. The young woman wears striped jeans from The Stronghold, Marc Jacobs fingerless gloves and vintage suspenders., Publication: Teen Vogue. Nov-06. Artstor, library-artstor-org.ez1.maricopa.edu/asset/AWSS35953_35953_35703521
Fergus, Kathleen, and Margaret Alic. “Autism Spectrum Disorders.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders, Gale, a Cengage Company, 2016.
Bernier Raphael, and Jennifer Gerdts. Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues). Illustrated, ABC-CLIO, 2010.
Turkington, Carol, and Deborah Nurmi. “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health, Gale, a Cengage Company, 2019, i.com.
