Everything you need to know about autism for World Autism Day

Our world is filled with so many little things we take for granted — the rumble of traffic, neon-lit shopfronts, and opportunities for conversations with friends and strangers alike. For most of us, this is just the background details of a rich and wonderful life, but for people with autism, or on the Autism Spectrum, these little things are often front and center in an oversaturated world. Noises are too loud, lights are too bright, and even the simplest conversations are minefields to navigate. To onlookers, people with ASD can seem as though they’re behaving differently for no reason, or overreacting to small things — but that’s an incorrect assumption that stems from our own lack of understanding. With World Autism Day around the corner, let’s take a moment to clear the air and find out a little more about what ASD actually is, its causes and characteristics, treatment for autism, and resources that can teach us more.

What is autism?

Autism is a spectrum of developmental disorders. Because of its varied nature, it’s often referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This condition is something you’re born with — it does not develop during late childhood or adulthood, and it is not caused by vaccines. In fact, to even be given an autism diagnosis, a person must show (or has shown) symptoms in early childhood (before the age of three). And just as each individual is different, ASD can present differently in different people. However, it is commonly characterized by social, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities — particularly in communication and interaction. This disorder affects people worldwide — regardless of race, culture, or economic background. There is no single cause of autism, nor is there a cure. However, there are several types of treatment for autism, and many tools people with ASD can use in their daily lives to make the world a little easier to navigate. But first, it’s important to understand why ASD occurs and how it presents itself.

What causes Autism?

While there is no root cause of autism or ASD, most experts agree that the disorder is mostly biological in nature with a few possible environmental factors. Some potential causes of ASD include:

• Genetics — it could be linked to the X chromosome as autism is more common in boys than girls; having an immediate family member with autism may also increase a baby’s chance of being born autistic
• Inflammation in the brain and gut — significantly hinders cognition and immunity
• Pre- and post-natal environmental factors in early years — exposure to elements like lead, insecticides, automobile exhaust, etc
• Increased grey matter or decreased white matter — could affect the brain’s ability to respond appropriately to environmental inputs

Taken individually, several of these factors, particularly the neurological ones, correspond to the visible symptoms of ASD.

What are some characteristics of ASD?

ASD is characterised by a difficulty in communication and interaction. An infant or toddler with autism may present with the following symptoms:

• Lack of eye contact
• Non-responsiveness to names or a familiar voice
• Lack of babbling or communicative gestures
• Unwillingness to initiate or respond to cuddling
• Unwillingness to play with others
• Lack of mimicry of movements and facial expressions in others

An older child or adult with autism may present with symptoms such as:

• Aversion to touch
• Lack of social connections; doesn’t know how to or prefers not to play or interact with others
• Abnormal speech patterns or tone of voice
• Difficulty communicating needs and desires
• Difficulty adapting to even small changes in routine or environment
• Unusual reactions to sights, smells, textures, and sounds
• Abnormal posture, clumsiness, or eccentric ways of moving

Some of the stereotyped, or common behaviours, that present with this disorder are:

• Getting ‘stuck’ or repeating the same behaviour, and inability to move on to other activities
• Repeating words or phrases
• Showing deep attachment to toys, objects, or routines
• Lining things up, putting things in order