What is Autism? - from an Autistic Adult
Channel: Lyric Rivera - Neurodivergent Rebel
Date: 2019-02-06

Autism is defined by social communication differences and a tendency towards, what is often referred to my medical professionals as, "restricted, repetitive behaviors" or as I prefer to say "a strong desire for order and routine in a chaotic world". I organize myself same daily schedule, same meal menus, same routes to work or anyplace I need to go. 

Many autistic people will be diagnosed in early childhood, however, it is likely that just as many autistic people may go unrecognized for many years, especially if they have a well-developed mask. 

Autism is not something that people grow out of and it is not something that can be or should be cured. 

Most autistic people have sensory issues in at least one or more of the senses. Any of the senses may be heightened or dulled (inability to sense cold, heat, or pain). Sometimes input that most people can ignore will be so intense as to cause pain and distress for an autistic individual. 

Autistic Communication 

Autistic people have verbal and non-verbal communication differences. 

For example, they may have different patterns in their: Spoken language - may be less verbal or even more verbal than their peers in early development. 

Differences in speech patterns may persist into adulthood and may include differences in speaking pattern, lack of or limited verbal speech, use of echolalia and palilalia, difficulty moderating the voice (indoor voice or outdoor voice) - sometimes due to auditory processing difficulties. I may unintentionally speak out of turn or ramble, especially if I am excited or overwhelmed. 

Body language differences

Stimming - my hands may flap and move with vigor when I experience a strong emotion like extreme joy or if I am suddenly startled. (flapping, spinning, pacing, rocking, bouncing, walking on toes, finger flicking). Some stims can become so small that they are almost unnoticeable but are often damaging to the autistic person (jaw clenching, chewing on the inside of the mouth, body tensing, skin picking).

Body Pose - There are specific stances, some of them hard to describe. Like how I tend to slouch in a specific way, with my arms curled in like a T-rex or a newly hatch chick. 

Differences in facial expressions - (may appear overly or under expressive to non-autistic onlookers). May have difficulty recognizing and decoding the facial expressions of others. 

Differences in or lack of eye contact  

An autism and neurodiversity blog based on personal experience. Please remember - this is only ONE autistic perspective. We are all unique. 

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