Thursday, January 8, 2015

...some thoughts on autism...


I have been reading various resources on autism/Aspergers Syndrome to educate myself on the diagnosis, learn effective techniques in handling my little guy’s problem behaviors, and to find out what groundwork I can lay now that will help him out later as he moves into his teenage and adult years.  One of the most helpful authors I have found so far has been Dr. Temple Grandin.  (See link to her website at the end of this post.)

Dr. Grandin has autism but has been able to learn to function in the neurotypical world.  She has excelled in her chosen field as an animal behavior specialist.  She also has devoted much time and energy to educating herself and the rest of the world about autism.  In her books, she shares her experiences with autism from childhood on.  Because she has an inside perspective, she can offer very helpful information--both to understand autism and also the techniques used that made her the successful adult she is today even with tremendous challenges in her life.  She is in her 60's (born in 1947) so her books are the accumulation of years of hard work to become a functional person in society.  For those with children or other family and friends with autism, I am guessing you have heard of her--but if not, I would highly, highly recommend her books.

As I read her books and she describes the way the autistic mind works (it is a spectrum, so there are many differences in people who may each fall on the spectrum) I have noted that, while I am not positive I would fall on the spectrum were I to be tested (and if so I would most definitely be an "Aspie" --the higher functioning person with what used to be diagnosed as Aspergers rather than classic autism) I see many similarities to the way my mind works and her description of the workings of an autistic mind, particularly those who are visual thinkers.  (Interestingly enough, she also notes that visual thinkers on the spectrum tend to be very good at drawing--my absolute favorite pastime as a child, sometimes almost to the point of an obsession--and visual thinkers also tend to be prone to crippling anxiety and depression.)

The most recent book I read was Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships by Dr. Grandin and Sean Barron.  Sean Barron has autism but has overcome many difficulties of his autism to function successfully as an adult in society, working as a journalist.  This book has information for neurotypicals who have interactions and/or caregiving responsibility as a window into how those with autism see social situations, and also could be helpful as a guideline to help those with autism or Aspergers sort out social interactions.  Neurotypical people tend to learn these things quickly and somewhat by instinct--the autistic brain has varying degrees of "short-circuitry" when it comes to the wiring that allows one to easily and instinctively act and interact socially.  It is an (often difficult and painful) learned process for those with autism, and even when it is learned, takes far more effort than for neurotypicals because it never becomes "second nature."

In Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, both authors describe the process they each use to decode and act appropriately in social situations, and what it took to get them to the functional point that they are at now.  And, reading over how these two autistic people view social interactions, I saw that again, the way my mind worked had much in common with what the authors were describing as the autistic way of processing social situations; and also that the process I used to become more fluent in handling these social interactions was similar to techniques the authors described as being helpful to them to interact and fit in socially (techniques such as observing how others acted and copying that, or viewing social interactions as a play in which I have a part, etc.).  I was labeled "quiet and shy" as a child, and while i have overcome that to a degree, social situations often cause me a great deal of anxiety, even if I have been in the situation many times before and seem to be enjoying myself.

Autism can be a disability, but it can also be a gift.  Dr. Grandin describes herself as very clumsy and uncoordinated, but has a wonderful gift for visualization and drawing which has given her the ability to visualize projects (such as cattle facilities that she designs).  She shares in her books that she has had brain scans that show that the part of her brain responsible for physical coordination is about 20% smaller than that of most people, but the visual pathways are far more connected than in the typical brain.  Were she to have a "normal" brain, there likely would not be the "wiring" that allows her to have the gifts that she has.  I watched an interview with Dr. Grandin in which the interviewer asked her if, in light of the new research being done in the field, and the work toward a "cure" for autism, if she would like to be "cured."  I loved her answer--the gist of which was that, for those with severe disabilities who are not able to live independently, of course it would be wonderful if they could be helped to be able to become independent and productive members of society.  But she "likes the way she thinks," and that she would not want her brain to be made up differently.  She also made the comment that if we were all neurotypicals, the world would be boring.  (One of my extended family members, in seeking treatment for depression, was told by the doctor that in his dealings with people in his practice, he often found people who were prone to depression much more bright and interesting than those who were not.)

I would have to say I agree with Dr. Grandin‘s answer.  If I am an Aspie, or with many of those tendencies, it would be nice for some things in life to come easier.  We are social beings, and cannot get along in our lives without interacting with others.  So to have anxiety in social situations, and to be at times misunderstood because you are slower on the uptake at things others do automatically and easily, certainly makes life difficult at times.  But I like a lot of things about the way my brain works.  (I still love to draw, though it seems a bit of a frivolous pastime at this point in my life, since nobody pays me to do it.)  :)  I know I have other gifts too--who knows what I would lose if I were to be "cured."  I wouldn't want a different brain either.

And for my little guy, I can already see the beginnings of some serious talent in various areas.  For example, he drew a very detailed Olaf snowman in art class, from memory, with no picture to guide him.  It was a very recognizable Olaf.  (Olaf is from the movie Frozen, which i am convinced is way over-hyped, but his Olaf drawing was awesome.)  I have never beat him at a memory game (the game where you take turns flipping cards over, two by two, to find the matching pairs).  I know kids tend to be better at this game than adults, but his ability goes beyond any kid I have ever played memory with.  I don't know how to test if someone has a photographic memory, but sometimes I would like to know if he does.  He remembers amazing visual details.  I sometimes ache for him when I see him struggling, and ultimately I want him to have the ability to be independent and to be able to add his contributions as a productive member of society; but if a "cure" came with the price of taking away the gifts he has, I wouldn't do it.  God made him this way for a reason.  We are all so unique, and fearfully and wonderfully made.



Dr. Temple Grandin's website

 

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