Autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability involving social difficulties, repetitive behavior, and sensory sensitivities. Signs show up during the first three years of an autistic person's life.
Signs of autism include:About AutismWhat is autism?
*Difficulty picking up on social cues like facial expressions, body language, subtexts, and hints
*Trouble making friends
*Discomfort with eye contact
*Sincerity
*Intense, passionate interests
*Repetitive fidgeting (stimming) to self-regulate
*Need for routine
*Sensory over- and under-sensitivities
Autism is lifelong.Scott D. Wright , Cheryl A. Wright , Valerie D’Astous & Amy Maida Wadsworth (2019) Autism aging, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 40:3, 322-338, DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2016.1247073 It comes with both strengths and difficulties.Autism StrengthsStrengths of Autism: Why Autistic People Excel at Specific Tasks The right support can make a huge difference in quality of life.
Autistic people often do better when they are allowed to be themselves. Enjoying their special interests is good for their wellbeing.Grove R, Hoekstra RA, Wierda M, Begeer S. Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults. Autism Res. 2018 May;11(5):766-775. doi: 10.1002/aur.1931. Epub 2018 Feb 10. PMID: 29427546. Behavior like fidgetingKapp SK, Steward R, Crane L, Elliott D, Elphick C, Pellicano E, Russell G. 'People should be allowed to do what they like': Autistic adults' views and experiences of stimming. Autism. 2019 Oct;23(7):1782-1792. doi: 10.1177/1362361319829628. Epub 2019 Feb 28. PMID: 30818970; PMCID: PMC6728747.Stimming, therapeutic for autistic people, deserves acceptance and avoiding eye contactShould We Insist on Eye Contact with People who have Autism Spectrum Disorders can help them stay calm and adapt to situations.
==External resources==
*Embrace Autism
*Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
*Autism articles on wikiHow
*Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
==References==