The Autism Spectrum
Today ASD is
the umbrella term for all autism-related disorders. The term “spectrum” is used
to reflect the very manifestations that exist, from low-functioning individuals
who can’t truly communication to others to high-function individuals who are
almost no-different to “neurotypical” people. Asperser syndrome was once
considered a sort of separate form of high-functioning autism. In 2013 the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (the book that sets the definitions to all mental health
disorders) fully placed Asperser syndrome under the ASD umbrella.
Autism in History
ASD has
been around for a long time. Many figures in history have been speculated of
having ASD. The earliest confirmable evidence we have of someone with ASD is of
18th century Scottish noble Hugh Blair of Borgue. Odd behaviours he
has allegedly done include wearing the same item of clothing, requesting the
same seat in church, collecting bird feathers and pieces of cloth plus
attending every burial taking place in his home town, regardless of whoever was
buried. He was married off to a surgeon’s daughter in 1746, but his brother and
legal guardian successfully got it annulled in 1748 on grounds of his mental
incapacity. During this process, Hugh was interviewed by a magistrate to asset
his mental ability. During the interview (which is on record) Hugh only repeats
what the interviewer says.
History of “autism”
The term “autism” originates from the
New Latin word autismus, coined in
1910 by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. It comes from the Greek word autós (αὐτός, meaning "self"). The
term was adopted by Austrian physician Hans Asperger in 1938 in a lecture on
child psychology. This was before his 1944 study of children with ASD that
first described the syndrome that bears his name.
Austrian-born American child
psychiatrist Leo Kanner used the term in his 1943 study of 11 children who
showed similar characteristics that set the modern definition of the condition
we know today.
However, until first found false in
the 1960s, autism was believed to be a psychological condition caused by lack
of affection from parents. This confusion is infamously known as the
“refrigerator mother theory” and (sadly) they are still a few “experts” out
there who still believe this, so watch
out for them.
Symptoms and Living with ASD
There is no
single symptom that is unique and universal to all who have ASD. But they are a
number of common behaviours that have become associated with ASD, especially in
childhood. They include…
·
Low attention towards social clues, such as hand gestures or saying
their name
·
Lack of eye contact
·
Impaired communication abilities, mostly gestural and verbal
·
Repetitive behaviours, such as body rocking and hand flapping
·
Compulsive and ritualistic behaviours, such as arranging objects in a
particular way and eating only particular foods
·
Focused interests and activities.
They are some
individuals who even…
·
Repetitively injure themselves in minor ways, such as head banging or
scratching their skin
·
Have over- or under-sensitive senses
· Feature exceptional mental skills
Symptoms only
begin to show generally in around 6 months, when children generally begin to
develop basic communication and social skills. Some seemingly begin as normal and then stop or sometimes regress
backwards, to start their learning all over again. But not every person with ASD is the same. Some remain in a regressed
state for life while some will (with some assistance of special education) grow
up to become independent adults – like the author of this strip.
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