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Autism Vox

Q & A: What is autism?

by Kristina Chew, PhD on July 19th, 2006

What would your answer (ten words maximum) be to the question “what is autism”?

“Charlie” and “difference” will be part of my answer (to be posted later).

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POSTED IN: Asperger's Syndrome, Diagnosis, Q & A

9 opinions for Q & A: What is autism?

  • Jannalou
    Jul 19, 2006 at 8:53 am

    A difference in processing that causes difference in expression.

    I need more than ten words to make that totally clear, but hopefully that makes sense!

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jul 19, 2006 at 9:26 am

    Well put. What would you say with unlimited words possible?

    My simplest answer to the question is “Charlie.”

  • mom-nos
    Jul 19, 2006 at 9:59 am

    The three words I use most when trying to explain autism are Not Even Wrong.

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jul 19, 2006 at 10:33 am

    Also: vive la différence!.

    And \”It\’s Not What You Think.\”

  • Jemaleddin
    Jul 19, 2006 at 11:12 am

    I don’t find myself explaining autism in general nearly as often as I explain Jared’s particular kind of autism. Lately I find myself telling people, “Jared doesn’t understand things the way that other people do.” Which, luckily for me, is 10 words. =-)

    I try to say it in such a way that it’s clear that I DON’T mean, “Jared doesn’t understand things as WELL as other people.”

  • Jannalou
    Jul 19, 2006 at 11:52 am

    Ha, I get very “text-bookish” when you give me lots of words…

    Autism is a neurological difference that can cause difficulties processing sensory input, including language. As a result of this “different processing”, the autistic person is likely to display what most would call “abnormal behaviour”. These behaviours can be an attempt to alleviate the discomfort of various sensory processing difficulties, or they can be an attempt to communicate said discomfort.

    And I could go on much longer than that.

    Of course, the goal is to stay away from the stereotyped autistic person (like RainMan), while giving enough information that the receiver of said information comes away with an idea of what autism is. Which the textbook type answer doesn’t do so well.

    Another option would be to just give a series of “clips”, scenes or what-have-you, describing the many different kidlets I’ve worked with over the years.

    Heh, going from that… just a word-picture describing one of our outings last summer would do it…

    Autism is a 12yo girl who barely talks, hanging on for dear life to my hair when the stress gets to be too much. It’s a 13yo girl, giggling and saying the name of her current crush over and over again while we wait in line to go on the bumper cars. It’s a 10yo boy, jumping in excitement to go on this, the ride of his choice, protective earphones in place. It’s his 12yo brother, talking non-stop about which colour of car he wants to ride this time.

    It’s the four or five aides, standing in line with the kids, talking and joking and occasionally attempting to direct the kids’ attention to the ride (if it isn’t there already), deciding who is going to ride with which child.

    Hrm…

    Autism is the heartbreaking tears of a 7yo girl who is terrified to go to the zoo because she’s never been there before, even though she was excited and asked to visit it today.

    Autism is the heartwarming grin of an 11yo boy meeting me at the door when I arrive to pick him up for our afternoon’s outing; he’s been watching for me for the past half-hour.

    Autism is the terrifying violence of a 10yo boy in the midst of a sensory-overload-induced tantrum, complete with screaming and throwing himself against the back of the couch he’s sitting on - not to mention lashing out at anyone who dares come too close.

    Autism is the tender calm of a 5yo boy, curled up on the floor under his blanket in a nest of pillows, watching his newest Veggietales DVD and trying not to fall asleep.

    Autism is a lot of things, most of them good. :)

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jul 19, 2006 at 12:35 pm

    Jannalou, thank you! I’m processing your “definition”—

    Jemaleddin, I like the subtle distinction in your words. I’ve found myself more and more saying about Charlie (to the kids in the line for the diving board at the pool wondering why he is humming and not standing in the line, at his age): “He’s different and different is good.”

  • Rose
    Jul 19, 2006 at 1:14 pm

    visionarionism = autism

    vi·sion·ar·y (vĭzh’ə-nĕr’ē) pronunciation
    adj.

    1. Characterized by vision or foresight.
    2.
    1. Having the nature of fantasies or dreams; illusory.
    2. Existing in imagination only; imaginary.
    3.
    1. Characterized by or given to apparitions, prophecies, or revelations.
    2. Given to daydreams or reverie; dreamy.
    4.
    1. Not practicable or realizable; utopian: visionary schemes for getting rich.
    2. Tending to envision things in perfect but unrealistic form; idealistic.

    n., pl. -ies.

    1. One who is given to impractical or speculative ideas; a dreamer.
    2. One who has visions; a seer.

    (NOtice the prejudicial definition…I always thought visionary was a positive trait.)

    Mariam-Webster has a prefix-suffix dictionary that says “ion” means a condition or trait, and that “ism” is an act, process or trait.

    Therefore, visionarionism is acting upon a process of being a visionary.

    It’s okay, I confuse myself.

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jul 19, 2006 at 6:18 pm

    More to ponder (gladly)!

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