How Does Autism Affect People Who Have It?

Reading the official criteria for autism and listening to doctors and psychologists may leave you completely boggled as to how any of this relates to your child or to everyday people. We don't want to know that 'children with autism show marked deficiencies in communication skills'. What in the world does THAT mean?

Here are some answers to questions you might have about autism, in simple terms without all the official terminology.

What is autism?
Autism is a developmental disability that makes it hard for people to understand what they see, hear or sense. This can cause problems with the way that they relate to other people, in the way that they communicate and in the way that they behave. People with autism have to learn normal speech and communication and appropriate ways of relating to the things around them.
What are the characteristics of autism?
The characteristics and the severity differs from person to person, but usually include:
Delayed language development
Peculiar speech patterns
Using words without any attachment to their usual meanings
Unusual metaphors
Monotone speech
Delays in understanding social relationships. The autistic child doesn't understand how to relate to other people, how to get their attention, or how to communicate with them effectively.
Avoidance of eye contact
Resistance to being cuddled or picked up
Tuning out the world around him
Inability to understand others feelings
Inability to make friends or develop friendships
Doesn't play cooperatively with other children
May not respond to words or other sounds at all
May be very distressed by everyday noises
May show a sensitivity to sensations such as heat, cold or pain or
May seem not to react at all to heat, cold or pain
May do some things extremely well in relation to overall functioning, for example may have a marked ability to memorize facts, or to do math while most other functions are normal or below normal. Only about 20% of autistic people have average or above average intelligence, but many are high functioning in one or two areas.
May perform repetitive motions such as hand flicking or twisting, rocking in place or slapping himself
May focus on routine and repetition such as having exactly the same schedule every day or putting on their clothing in the same order. The distinguishing feature between these routines and 'normal' routines is that the person with autism will become very distressed if the routine varies or is interrupted.
3. How does autism affect behavior?
People with autism may be extremely hyperactive or passive in relating to other people. They have severe language problems, and trouble socializing with other people as well.

Are the behavior problems of people with autism severe?
It depends on the person. Autism ranges from very mild - so mild that most people wouldn't even notice anything odd unless they spent a lot of time with the person, to debilitating. In its mildest form, autism appears to be a learning disability. Usually, though, even people who have mild autism are handicapped because they have so much trouble communicating and relating to other people. When autism is severe, the behavior patterns can become violent, aggressive or self injurious. Some of the most severe effects of autism resemble catatonia.
Can autism occur with other conditions?
Yes. Autism may occur with mental retardation, epilepsy and other conditions. The more conditions that are present, the more handicapped the person is likely to be.
What's the difference between autism and mental retardation?
People who are mentally retarded develop evenly, though the development is delayed. People with autism show a marked delay in social and communication skills such as speech, but may develop normally in other areas. Often, though, their difficulties in communicating and assigning importance to things will result in increasing delays as they get older.
Are there treatments for people with autism?
Yes, if autism is diagnosed and treatment is started early, people with autism can learn how to relate to others and how to understand the world around them through a variety of methods.
Can people with autism get jobs and their own apartments?
Yes, many people with autism hold jobs in all sorts of fields, and maintain their own apartments. It depends on how severe their autism is, and what kind of support they need to function in the community.