Autism is a developmental disability that affects how someone moves and communicates, and often how they react around other people. It’s on a spectrum which means there are many versions from mild autism to full-blown schizophrenia (which is actually a different condition that usually occurs after teenhood). Around 2% of children are born autistic, although some people are never even diagnosed, leading to issues later in life. There is no ‘cure’ or medicine, which means that the best solution in most cases is simply to understand the condition, so that we better understand what is causing it, and have compassion to know that sometimes people who seem unfriendly or have difficulty showing emotions are not doing this for any particular reason.
Diary of a Young Naturalist is a stand-out book of the decade, by an autistic teenager who escaped bullying to write and observe the natural world. Dara McAnulty’s sensory encounters with blackbirds, whooper swans, red kites, hen harriers, frogs, dandelions and Irish hares led Steve Silberman to call him ‘one of the most talented and passionate writers of our era’.
Some doctors believe that some children with autism can be affected by certain environments or even allergies to food. The symptoms of an autistic child (or adult) include:
- Do not pick up other people’s body language
- Have difficulty forming friendships
- Prefer to be alone
- Speaks less than the average person
- Has difficulty in showing emotions to others
- Often goes into ’emotional shutdown’ if upset
- Does not like changes of routine
- Likes to always ‘play by the rules’
- Is super-interested in ‘normal hobbies’
- More (or less) sensitive to touch, noise and aromas
- Do not make eye contact
I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger’s are just not comfortable doing it. In fact, I don’t really understand why it’s considered normal to stare at someone’s eyeballs. John Elder Robison
Doctors are still unsure what causes people to be diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, but common theory is that it’s simply genes. We do know that mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy (or take certain medications) have more chance of giving birth to an autistic child, but this is not always the case. What is known is that the theory of parenting (not loving children enough etc) is now debunked. Diagnosis is also difficult, as there is no ‘test’ available, it’s simply behavioural observances. What’s also known is that many autistic people have digestive issues so are more likely to react to gluten or casein (the protein in dairy).
Art and music therapy are useful for children who find it difficult to express emotions. Being around gentle animals is also good (swimming with dolphins is not recommended, as it’s not good for dolphin welfare – they can’t move facial muscles so are not ‘smiling’ when swimming with others in captivity). In the wild, dolphins can kill small sharks, so it’s not even safe (you would not put your child in an enclosure with a lion, so the same applies – dolphins can be just as dangerous and have in fact attacked children, when spooked).
Two well-known people with autism are Temple Grandin (who designs livestock facilities with better welfare and has improved stunning methods to reduce pain and fear). She would study cattle for hours and noticed they follow curved paths more easily, which led to her designs now used in 50% of abbatoirs.
What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and and not getting anything done. Dr Temple Grandin
And Greta Thunberg (who says her diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome has likely been behind her relentless focus on saving the planet, when most other teens would have given up).
I have Asperger’s and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And – given the right circumstances – being different is a superpower. Greta Thunberg
Books to Help Autistic Children & Adults
- Zensations is a book for children written by psychologists, which help people with autism explain how they are feeling through body scans, if they find it difficult to verbalise their emotions.
- Sensory & Motor Strategies offers calming techniques to help autistic children develop their physical and other skills. Learn to identify possible challenges, recognise signs of overload and find simple low-cost activities to build skills (from handwriting and using scissors to improving posture and co-ordination). Also learn environmental modifications to prevent overwhelm).
- The Autistic Guide to Adventure does not focus on the medication aspects, rather getting autistic children out in the natural world to have fun. From stargazing (which likely is fascinating and ultra-enjoyable to an autistic child) and sailing to wild swimming and nature-writing, each digestible factsheet includes a short introduction, a summary of the sensory experiences involved and a handy budgeting system, with personal anecdotes and interviews with awesome autistic athletes.
- Looking After Your Autistic Self is for any adult who feels more overwhelmed as they get older, due to the stresses of social demands like relationships, parenting and work. Learn to spot your strengths and triggers, and create ‘quick calm plans’ to cope with sensory overload.
Autism Is No Barrier to Success!
Well-known people with autism include Susan Boyle (singer), Tim Burton (film director), Daryl Hannah (actress and environmental campaigner), Jerry Seinfeld (comedian) and Sir Anthony Hopkins (actor). Although back in the day there was no official diagnosis, many think some of our most famous creatives in history were also autistic. Those who had obsessions with narrow subjects and preferred not to socialise include:
- Emily Dickinson (poet – some relatives say her symptoms were more due to an autoimmune kidney disease).
- WB Yeats (poet)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer)
- Michaelangelo (painter, poet, sculptor, architect)
- Albert Einstein (scientist)
Some people with autism are savant, which means they are gifted in one specific area like art, music or mathematics. You likely remember Stephen Wiltshire, who was on TV a lot a few years ago, when as a teenager, he was known for his ability to draw beautiful architectural drawings, just by looking at the buidings once. Former Prime Minister Ted Heath gave him his first commission (age 8) to sketch Salsibury Cathedral (one of Stephen’s favourite films is Rain Man, where Dustin Hoffman portrayed an autistic savant).
