Autism

What is Autism?

[what it is]ASD (Autism spectrum disorder) refers to a developmental condition that comes with a wide range of symptoms that can affect a person in their day to day lives. These symptoms usually appear in early childhood, and can affect the learning process and social situations. The root cause is not well understood but is heavily linked to genetics.

[personal experience]For me, growing up in a small southern town and having to attend the public school there could be nightmarish; I was undiagnosed at the time, and as a result often disconnected from my peers. Bullying occured due to certain manneruisms linked to my ASD, such as liking video games, which only further isolated me. Peers and faculty would often deem me as the "quiet" or "weird" kid, leading to low-self esteem. Luckily, things improved when I eventually met others who felt similarly to me.

[improvements, reccomendations]Not all about ASD is negative. First of all, getting a proper diagnosis and education about the disorder was one of the first steps I took to improvement. Autism doesn't always 'get better', but it is possible to find ways to improve upon certain aspects that you struggle with. If you or someone you know has autism, it's best to talk to them directly about it. Everyone is different, and my experience may not align with everyone else's perfectly, but in sharing my experiences I hope to educate and open up about my experiences, in the hopes of it potentially helping others.