THE SPECTRUM SOCIETY
Non-profit. Advocacy. Relearn
"EDUCATION IS A GATEWAY TO BROADENING PERCEPTIONS, FIGHTING STEREOTYPES, AND CREATING PARITY IN THIS WORLD."
- Chadwick Boseman
welcome to RELEARN
A primary cause of the lack of support and discrimination faced by autistic individuals, is the genuine lack of understanding and accurate knowledge about autism itself.
In order to form a better society for autistic people, we must first accurately educate ourselves on autism and autistic people! And this is your one stop to do so!
What is
Autism or autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) is a lifelong developmental disability caused by disparities in the brain. It is a broad range of conditions and perspectives that affect the behavior of an individual. Generally speaking, many people with autism experience difficulties with social interactions, understanding the emotions/feelings of others, and concentrating for long periods of time. Oftentimes, autism makes communicating and interacting with others very challenging based on where you're placed on the spectrum. This could be not being able to communicate at all, or experiencing a sensory overload in the brain.
Individuals living on the spectrum may present behaviours that are different from others, and may grow mentally, socially and/or emotionally in different ways and at different rates than their non-neurodivergent peers.
types of autism
Contrary to popular belief and knowledge, there are several types of autism. The term "autism" acts as more of an umbrella term for the many forms and levels of this disability, than a term for the disability itself. There are five major autism groups - Level 1 ASD, Rett syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative disorder, Kanner's syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental disorder.
LEVEL 1 ASD
Individuals with level 1 ASD, or what was previously known as Asperger’s syndrome, present strong verbal and communication skills, but struggle with social interaction and connection. Behaviours of individuals with Aspergers can be inflexible, while their speech or tone can at times seem monotone or expressionless.
RETT SYNDROME
Rett syndrome is a rare disorder that affects the way the brain develops, and which is diagnosed during infancy. Rett syndrome primarily affects young girls (though it can be seen in boys as well), and causes a loss of movement control/coordination, and struggles in communication and verbal speech.
CDD
CDD is a syndrome that causes a delayed growth in speech, communication, motor skills and socialization. CDD is however different from other neurodevelopmental disorders, as it can only be diagnosed between the ages of around 3-10, when children suddenly experience a growth stunt in these areas. CDD will then continue to impact a child throughout the remainder of their lives.
KANNER'S SYNDROME
Kanner’s syndrome is often described as a classic autism disorder. Youth with Kanner’s syndrome typically struggle with social communication, interaction, eye contact, speech and sensitivity to stimuli.
PDD
PDD (Pervasive developmental disorder) is typically a much less severe form of autism compared to the other forms. Children with PDD generally experience delays in key childhood events, such as walking or speaking. Youth with PDD are generally classified as ‘high functioning’ individuals, and are able to manage symptoms and struggles more easily than those with other forms of autism.
RANDOM (BUT IMPORTANT) FACTS
-
In Canada, approximately 1 in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with ASD (this is approximately 1.5% of children/youth).
-
The concept of autism was first discovered in 1911 by a German psychiatrist, Eugen Bleuler, who first used the term to describe signs of intense schizophrenia.
-
Later in 1943, observed children who were later diagnosed with autism. He used the term to refer to children who showed high intelligence, but strong anti-social behaviour and an intense liking for repetition and routine.
-
Signs of autism can look very different between males and females.
-
Doctors more commonly diagnose autism in boys than in girls due to the different ways in which symptoms reveal themselves in males and females, and the fact that boys generally tend to show signs of autism much earlier than girls.
-
Many girls are not diagnosed with ASD until they are teens which causes problems in their early development.
-
It is important that autistic kids and adults experience life in a “normal” environment or setting, all while their needs and differences are protected. Otherwise, growing up in an environment that does not foster their needs can cause them to feel abnormal or different.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you want to befriend someone with autism, or better interact with an autistic family member or classmate, here are some things you could do to make them feel welcome (click on the first image and continue clicking the arrow to view all the ways in which you can do so)!