ACCEPTING AND UNDERSTANDING YOUR Autism DIAGNOSIS

The Unseen Battle: Chronic Illness and Autism Unveiled

by Dr. Michael P. McManmon

I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism (also referred to as Asperger's Syndrome) 15 years ago and I often speak on "The Beneﬁts of Late Diagnosis." The ofﬁcial diagnosis helped make sense of my whole life prior; my misunderstandings of social situations and why I didn't think like most people.

I also saw my assets that were different then most people's skills. I have a creative imagination that can brainstorm ideas in many areas. I have the ability to visualize and the patience to carry out long range plans one step at a time.

My family agreed instantly with the Asperger's (HighFunctioning Autism) diagnosis and it also explained some of my "out of the ordinary behaviors."

Having founded and run the College Internship Program for College Students on the Spectrum (CIP) for many years before my ASD diagnosis and doing it without asking for help or truly understanding myself, I was able to now unleash my potential with this new knowledge. I was able to build a new curriculum for CIP, expand CIP to ﬁve campuses, write four books, and speak internationally. I was able to self-actualize my dreams because I accepted and liked who I was.

UNDERSTANDING Autism DIAGNOSIS & creating a 'person-centered plan'

Individuals on the Autism Spectrum are as unique as snowflakes and variation is par for the course.

Autism is not a disease, but if it were individuals would learn everything about their ASD diagnosis to try to ﬁgure out the best treatment.

Autism is much more profound and has life-long implications. So, taking the time to assess each area of a student’s life is vitally important. Such as:

What sensory issues do they have?

What social difﬁculties?

How are they affected by the environment (i.e., classroom, home, social environment)?

What are their strengths and areas of that need remediation?

Spending time doing these assessments will help each student in setting up a 'Person-Centered Plan' for their future. The goal being to fully accept the way they are and to know what they can do to change. Knowledge is Power. (continued next page)

Should you tell your child about their Autism diagnosis?

How do we build on someone’s abilities and assist them in attaining their goals?

We have to start with a full knowledge of themselves.

In my many years of working with children and young adults on the Autism Spectrum, students have reported that, prior to knowledge and understanding of their ASD diagnosis, they had negative stereotypes of themselves.

Sometimes, well-meaning parents kept their diagnosis from them to “protect them.” However, from what I have seen, this frequently back-ﬁred.

Recently diagnosed teens and young adults, have shared with me over the years, that before they knew about their Autism diagnosis, they believed they were crazy, stupid, not good enough and numerous other extremely negative attributions.

I drew some of these same conclusions about my own self before I knew I was on the Autism Spectrum. I needed to understand my ASD diagnosis and learn to accept it.

I can tell you from my own journey into acceptance that helping each individual student understand his or her diagnosis empowers that person to talk about their Autism, read about it, ask questions, do research and then identify with a group of similar people, instead of feeling like an outsider their entire lives. Especially if it is framed in a positive way instead it being a negative diagnosis.

This knowledge and awareness often leads to feeling more hopeful and courageous about getting help, asking for accommodations, and/or gaining more information in the various learning, and eventually work, environments they will encounter.