Autism Acceptance Month
Throughout Autism Acceptance Month, several KCS employees shared their personal experiences about living with autism with a focus on tackling some common misconceptions. To round up this month’s activity, we are delighted to share their insights and expertise.
It was in early adulthood when KCS Brand Manager, Lily, was diagnosed as autistic. She reflects on how her time at school was difficult:
‘Girls often go undiagnosed because they don’t present as the stereotypical autistic boy with their supposedly frequent outbursts and ‘special’ interests. Autistic girls are often quiet and well behaved - following the rules and getting on with adults more than their peers.’
Through our conversations with autistic adults, we learnt there’s lots of misinformation that surrounds autism and what it is. It is also common for resources to be dominated by non-autistic (neurotypical) perspectives rather than those with lived experience.
‘Autism isn’t a behavioural issue,’ Lily explains, ‘it’s a different way of perceiving the world. Autistic people can struggle with communicating in a neurotypical way, such as speaking verbally, writing and communicating non-verbally. It’s important to understand that autistic people do communicate and that all behaviour is communication.
Behaviour perceived as ‘problematic’, such as running away or violent outbursts, is usually a sign that something is wrong. People often try to control autistic children, viewing behaviour as naughty or attention-seeking, when the issue could be that the lights are too bright. Behaviour shouldn’t be punished - just simply understood and catered for.’
Autism is diagnosed based on a range of challenges and differences. Every autistic person presents differently and will therefore have different traits, coping mechanisms and requirements.
Outdated terms such as Asperger’s and ‘high’ or ‘low-functioning are actively discouraged by the autistic community as they do not explain the access requirements of autistic people. Several studies have shown that autistic adults much prefer identity-first language (autistic person) over person-first language (person with autism).
The key challenges or differences outlined in the autistic diagnostic criteria are listed below with explanations:
Understanding Information
- Autistic people frequently have a special interest (or multiple). They may learn everything possible about a particular subject matter that interests them and constantly think and talk about it.
- Autistic people often have different skills in finding patterns and figuring out how things work. An autistic person may think faster than their ability to talk. They may appear to ignore instructions preferring to delve straight into a task. This is because solving an issue or understanding how something works becomes pleasurable.
- The above also means that autistic people may struggle with verbal information, staying focused on things they’re not interested in and adhering to the concept of time.
Perception
- Autistic people often have a heightened or lower sensory input compared to neurotypical people. They can experience sensory overload from bright lights and unexpected touch, noise or smell. Conversely, they may need more input to stay emotionally regulated – such as the need for tight hugs, soft toys etc.
- Sensory input can also create distractions for autistic people and can make it difficult to concentrate. Many autistic adults rely on lists, calendars, apps and the help of others to help keep them on track.
- Black and white thinking with a strong sense of justice is common. Things are either good or bad – typically without grey areas. If someone arrives late, for example, it goes against an autistic person’s internal expectations and can be seen as an insult. The unpredictability and offset of routine can also cause much distress.
Communication
- A more well-known trait is an inability to read body language and facial expressions. This is mostly true, but it doesn’t mean that autistic people don’t have a general idea.
- Non-verbal communication - both in showing it and interpreting it - can be difficult for autistic people. Some may overcompensate by dominating the conversation or hide it by not speaking up.
- Autistic people tend to mask and mimic those around them to ensure they fit in. This can be both inauthentic and exhausting - often leading to later meltdowns after school or a long day. It is crucial to create a space for autistic people to unmask and to be authentic, without judgement or commentary regarding their traits.
- Autistic people can struggle to understand boundaries, such as when to talk, and can misinterpret common sayings or allegories. Whereas neurotypical people may allude to a point but not say it outright, an autistic person may be more literal and to the point, which on occasion can come across as crude or blunt.
As you can imagine, autism isn’t simple and nor is neurotypicality. It’s therefore important to explore what is true and what is a misconception. With that in mind, these are some of the most common misconceptions:
- Autistic people have something wrong with them that needs to be fixed.
- If someone can't speak, it means they can't understand.
- Autistic people are in 'their own world’.
- Autism is a disease.
- Autistic people are just trying to get attention.
- Autistic adults don’t exist.
- Autism can be seen and you can tell when someone is autistic.
We hope this information is useful and adds to your understanding of autism. Our aim is to explore autism, along with its many intricacies, through the voices of those who have it – ensuring accuracy, authenticity and representation.
Take a look below at the many great resources that provide additional information on autism from the perspective of neurodivergent people.
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Educator resources:
https://geekclubbooks.com/educators/
Family & Parents resources:
https://geekclubbooks.com/ - a website for autistic voices, authors and resources.
https://autisticscienceperson.com/2019/11/27/dear-autistic-kid-on-meltdowns-and-shame/
https://geekclubbooks.com/2018/02/autistic-characteristics-not-all-same
Autistic Teenager & Adult Resources:
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskingAutistics&src=typed_query
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TakeTheMaskOff&src=typed_query
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ActuallyAutistic&src=typed_query
https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2018/07/23/time-to-take-the-mask-off-takethemaskoff/