You and Your Crew – World Autism Day

Autism

28 Mar

In 2007 the UN General Assembly established a day for the world to come together to raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This day also unites, at an international level, those individuals and organisations working tirelessly toward genuine understanding and acceptance for people with Autism and their support networks.

As our knowledge of the brain and its complex inner workings grows each week, so too does the dialogue and language used to define the differences in human brains we see being revealed. ‘Neurodiversity’ is a term that directly acknowledges the huge variations in the human brain, removes the pathology (wrongness) of this difference, and steers us to think how these differences are entwined and essential in the long history of the development of the fascinating human genome. We should be proud of this diversity, and be inspired to look even more deeply at how these differences have shaped history and human development.

ASD has only had a standard classification of symptoms, indicators of this neurodiversity, since the 1940s, and the ‘spectrum’ of definitions have changed significantly over time being informed by research and clinical experience (particularly in the last 25 years). These criteria or definitions will continue to change as neuroscience advances, just as the mainstream evidence-based treatment options will also change.

Autism Speaks provides a long breakdown of the criteria used as the standard reference for health professionals responsible for diagnosis. While it is full of important detail, it does not necessarily represent the exceptional personhood of the individual in front of you while you are ‘ticking boxes’. It does not begin to describe the gorgeous, honest, wide-eyed boy…who seems to be the sunshine he feels on his skin, as he expertly rebuilds the precise track for the ant trail to follow in the backyard for the 100th time…who can dance magnificently to the ‘Happy’ song – as long as no one tries to join him…who will heartbreakingly hurt himself, and bears the scars on his arms and head, if anyone interrupts the intensity of his focus.

These definitions can also fail to describe the remarkable changes and adaptations that happen to the networks of others that extend from this young boy and don’t even start to capture the unique brilliance, enthusiasm or fun. This year Autism Awareness Australia invites Individuals on the spectrum, the Family and Friends who love them and those who support them to send in photos of their crew with #OurAutismCrew. See them on Facebook & Instagram