Autism 101

Autism is a complex developmental disability that often appears during the first two years of life. Autism typically affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is diverse in its diagnosis and treatment plans. No one case or individual is exactly alike. As one mother observed, “If you know one person with autism, then you know one person with autism.” Because of its diversity, Autism is referred to as a spectrum developmental disorder. Spectrum means it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.

Aspergers syndrome

We communicate with more than words. We communicate with our eyes, our hand gestures, our body, our facial expression and our tone of voice. Through the varied levels of communicatin we can determine if a person is serious or merely joking. Through hand gestures, body language and facial expression we can tell if a person is excited, comfortable, or agitated. The tone of voice tells us if someone is happy, sad or angry.

For the individual with aspergers syndrome (AS), these levels of communication, go unnoticed.  Communication cues may be missed.  They may engage in long one-sided conversations without noticing if the listener is listening or interested. Other clinical clues to Aspergers may include:

  • Lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures.
  • Doesn’t empathize with or seem sensitive to others’ feelings and has a hard time “reading other people or understanding humor.
  • Doesn’t understand the give-and-take of conversation or engage in small talk.
  • May speak in a voice that is monotone, rigid, jerky, or unusually fast.
  • Can be extremely literal or have difficulty understanding the nuances of language, despite having a good vocabulary.

Often, the inability to make sense of the world around them may cause anxiety and depression and will hinder their ability to make friends or maintain social connections.

People with aspergers will usually have fewer problems developing language than others on the spectrum. They will speak fluently and have a strong vocabulary. It is not unusual that those with aspergers won’t have the learning disabilities others on the spectrum may have. Often, those with aspergers will have average to above average intelligence. (Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Pierangelo, Giuliani, 22)