Living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be an ordeal filled with challenges that most do not understand or appreciate. ASD is a developmental disorder that impacts the brain’s functions, and those diagnosed have trouble navigating the world around them. Whether maintaining eye contact, struggling to communicate and express emotions, or not realizing that it’s important to brush one’s teeth in the morning, the life-changing impacts of the condition can take a toll.
However, ASD is a spectrum condition. It can manifest as mild to severe behaviors like self-harm and physical violence. This range means parents should know which of their children’s behaviors to consider when thinking about ASD, as many stem from a similar source: difficulty expressing needs, wants, emotions, and understanding those of others.
At ABA Centers of Georgia, it’s our mission to secure a better life for individuals diagnosed with autism and to support parents by helping them understand that ASD, with some management, is not an end but an excellent beginning to a healthy life.
8 Features of Living with ASD
Kids age in and out of behaviors. However, there are developmental markers and particular quirks that parents should stay on top of as they indicate the ASD diagnosis. The following are some hallmarks seen in the behavior of individuals on the spectrum.
1. Difficulty with Social Interactions – A hallmark of ASD is difficulty being interested in or understanding the emotions of others. Those on the spectrum struggle to hold conversations, make eye contact, ask questions, and discuss topics they aren’t interested in. On the far end of the spectrum, they may be nonverbal during infancy. Neurodivergent kids tend to prefer solitary play rather than engaging with peers.
2. Narrow and Rigid Interests – Kids with ASD may become fixated on a particular topic and delight in exploring every element of it. These topics range from video game franchises to highly complex technological systems and mathematics. Sometimes, this fascination will transfer into academic skills, allowing them to shine and interact with their peers as an expert.
3. Language and Imagination – Repeated studies show that imagination is a challenge for neurodivergent kids, particularly around language. Symbolic language, such as metaphors, jokes, exaggerations, and sarcasm, can be challenging due to their difficulty conceiving the emotions of others. They are most comfortable with literal, precise language.
4. Honesty – Kids with ASD tend to be extremely honest, as they cannot understand the underlying reasons or imagine a scenario leading to lying. In the right circumstance, this is an incredibly moral trait that will help them throughout life. They will not maliciously steal, and their honesty can be a great asset to any company they work for. In the wrong scenario, it can come off as rude.
5. Clear Sense of Morality – Children with ASD can fall into binary right or wrong morality, not understanding the subtilities of actions, their consequences, or gray areas. This absolutism does not mean they are incapable of empathy and, with some explanation, feel shame, regret, and frustration toward their behavior. It’s essential to treat them compassionately and avoid depressive episodes and spirals they may experience from alienation while trying to understand the world of morality.
6. Routines and Emotion – Kids on the spectrum don’t welcome surprises. They feel safe in their daily routine, with the expected clothing, schedules, brands, sights, and people. When a radical change upsets their order, they crave consistency and may feel overwhelmed. This adjustment can result in a tantrum to express discomfort with the situation.
7. Sensory Excess – Due to neurological changes in the prefrontal cortex, many individuals with ASD struggle with sensory overload. Bright lights, loud sounds, crowds of people, and physical touch are all things that can lead to stress, sensory overload, and tantrums. When circumstances become too overwhelming, they might flee. Noise-canceling headphones and quiet rooms are a great aid to neurodivergent kids that struggle with this challenge.
8. Ownership and Personal Property – Kids with ASD struggle to understand what belongs to them and others. Part of not understanding emotional frameworks is lacking context for personal property boundaries. For example, a child on the spectrum might not comprehend why they shouldn’t take a candy bar that someone left out. This behavior does not come from a place of malice, as children on the spectrum don’t understand the social dimensions of this behavior. Parents or caretakers can explain the importance of personal property, and ASD children will adapt and learn with some care.
Common Autism Myths
- Only Children Have Autism – Before the advent of autism awareness in the 21st century, many people with autism went undiagnosed. They were assumed to be “weird” or “quirky.” Nowadays, we understand many who lived their entire life struggling to communicate and did not receive the help or support they needed.
- Autism Is a Weakness – Individuals with autism can have an incredible range of skills, sometimes being “savants” or extremely adept at particular topics. They can be creative, thoughtful, and deeply moral people capable of great warmth and happiness. In many professions, the single-minded pursuit of a subject is an advantage. Additionally, they tend to possess memorization and visual learning skills far above their “neurotypical” peers.
Living with Autism and ABA Centers of Georgia
Autism awareness and acceptance are at an all-time high. More families realize that they don’t have to face autism alone. There are communities, forums, and, most importantly, treatment. At ABA Centers of Georgia, we specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, the best way to prepare your loved one for the challenges of the world on their way to independence.
Through ABA therapy, children can learn incredible skills and coping mechanisms that help with the daily challenges of living with autism. Whether strengthening their communication or learning to express when they are upset in a productive manner, ABA therapy is the gold standard for positive change.
Don’t hesitate to call us at (855) 929-5058 or contact our website for a FREE consultation with one of our professionals. We are here to help give your loved one the best shot at a happy, autism-friendly future.
