Proprioceptive input sensitivities

Difficulties interpreting sensations from muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons

Example:

Putting too much pressure on a pencil when writing Falling or crashing into things, etc.

Vestibular input sensitivities

Hyper or hypo sensitivity to balance and movement sensations

Examples:

Having trouble staying seated Constantly leaning head on hands or arms Easily losing balance

Secondary Characteristic: Executive Function Impairments

Advanced cognitive abilities, including attention, working memory, planning, reasoning, sequencing, and flexible thinking, are referred to as executive functioning. These abilities aid neurotypical individuals in social relationships, academics, learning, selfregulation, and daily tasks. However, individuals with autism may have difficulty with a wide range of executive functioning tasks, ranging from sequencing the order in which to dress, tying their shoes, packing for a trip, or completing a homework assignment.

Rigid and inflexible thinking

Examples:

Acting very difficult or insistent on getting their way

Avoiding others who take a different approach or stance than their own

Throwing tantrums when there is a change of plans

Generating more than one solution to a problem

Add 2 whole numbers to get 5.

Excellent! Can you find another solution for this problem?

I am not sure...

Sustaining prolonged attention to an activity or dividing attention between two activities at once.

What the Autism Spectrum Really Means

As the word "spectrum" suggests, autism spectrum disorder refers to a wide range of symptoms with varying levels of ability and disability. Some children may develop normally for the first few months or years but suddenly become withdrawn or lose their acquired skills. Meanwhile, some people with autism could be socially drawn or socially active in an eccentric manner, be intellectually disabled, or have an average or above-average IQ. Since everyone's experience with autism is different and uniquely theirs, it is important not to form preconceptions about a person with autism.

There is a large misconception when it comes to understanding what the autism spectrum entails. Often, people interpret the autism spectrum as a gradient when it is a spectrum.

Viewing the autism spectrum in terms of a gradient is improper as it disregards one of the distinguishing features of autism, which, as stated in the DSM-5, is the "uneven profile of abilities." As such, autistic individuals should not be viewed as "a little autistic" or "extremely autistic," like how paint color could be a bit red or highly red. However, the autism spectrum could be compared to the visible light spectrum as the various parts of the visible light spectrum are noticeably different, representing the vast array of characteristics that represents autism.

Pragmatic Language

Social communication: body language, eye contact, small talk, and taking turns speaking in a conversation

Social Awareness

Ability to pick up on social mannerisms, social norms, taboos; ability to form and maintain relationships.

Monotropic Mindset

Narrow but intense ability to focus, resulting in "obsessive" interests and difficulty switching tasks.

Information

Processing

Ability to apply new information quickly or adapt to new environments or situations.

Sensory

Processing

Ability to interpret sensory information; hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to stimuli.

Repetitive Behaviors

Tendency to "stim" in response to varying emotions, which could be beneficial or harmful in nature.

Neuro-Motor Differences

The autism spectrum looks more like this: 24

Ability to control body movements: ranges from clumsiness to complete loss of ability to move with intention.

Using the visible light spectrum to represent autism disproves many common misunderstandings and misinterpretations. For instance, saying "we are all a little autistic" just because we exhibit one of the many characteristics of autism is equivalent to saying that we slightly represent a rainbow when you are just the color red. Again, it is crucial to remember that autism is not one but a myriad of traits.

Although some traits on the spectrum are less obvious and are not required for diagnosis, they are almost universally reported by autistic people. As such, all autistic individuals are affected by all or most of the traits mentioned. If an individual only exhibits one or two of these traits, they will be diagnosed with a more specific disorder.

For example, someone with sensory processing issues would be diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder. Someone who only has problems with body movement control would be diagnosed with dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder. However, for a person to be considered autistic, they must have difficulty in multiple categories spanning the spectrum.

Here is how autism can manifest in three different individuals:

Case Study 1

This individual would most likely be described as "high functioning," even though their monotropic mindset might cause executive function problems and make it hard for them to live independently.

Pragmatic Language

Tends to miss subtle social cues

Interrupt or accidentally bore people

Forget to say hello or goodbye

Social Awareness

Monotropical Mindset

Does not think to reach for help when having difficulties

Obsessing over special interests, Find difficulty with task switching and multitasking

Struggles with executive function.

Understand written words easily

Information Processing

Excellent memory, but cannot follow verbal instructions

Struggles to navigate unfamiliar environments

Dislike certain sounds

Sensory Processing

Sensitive to light

Picky eater

Repetitive Behaviors

Neuro-Motor Differences

Fidget, sways body, tap fingers on desk

Trouble with coordination and manual tasks

This individual would conventionally be described as "severely autistic" since they are non-verbal and are easily affected by external factors. However, they absorb information easily and are academically gifted due to their strong information processing skills

Unable to speak due to motor problems

Pragmatic Language

Picks up on social cues well Understands subtle body language.

Interested in making friends

Social Awareness

Monotropical Mindset

Information Processing

Interested in popular culture

Suffers social anxiety

Tends to get fixated when stressed or upset

Has a wide variety of interests.

Faces difficulty adjusting to new locations and new people.

Has an photographic memory

Absorbs information instantly.

Sensory Processing

Repetitive Behaviors

Neuro-Motor Differences

Mild touches can burn like fire

Certain sounds can cause sensory overload.

Arms flapping

Humming or grunting

Body appears to have a mind of its own

Unable to control movement

Finds it difficult to move in a purposeful way,

Case Study 3

Given the proper educational accommodations and personalized support, this individual can live an independent adulthood. However, they could be held back if they are forced to sit still, be quiet, and learn conventionally.

Difficulty understanding emotions

Pragmatic Language

Needs communication to be clear and simple, without metaphor or figurative speech

Social Awareness

Monotropical Mindset

Does not pick up on social etiquette

Struggles to comprehend social rules

Strong fixation on tasks and dislikes being redirected

Negatively affected by changes in routine

Learns best when moving around

Information

Processing

Finds it hard to retain information when sitting still

A highly visual learner

Low sensitivity to sensory input

Sensory Processing

Repetitive Behaviors

Neuro-Motor Differences

May harm themselves when stressed or under stimulated

Constantly hyperactive and moving around

Can perform challenging physical tasks with ease