What is Autism Anyways?

What is Autism Anyways?

There are all sorts of historical theories about Autism and what it means. Historically Autism was thought to be a behavioural issue, as the result of distant parenting (at the time they blamed moms), then morphed into a developmental disability that affected behaviour. Historically, it was believed that Autism could be potentially be

Fall Day in Niagara on the Lake

“turned off” or "cured" in essence through careful management of behaviour, and that Autistic people could be made to appear to be “normal”. Recent research though indicates that Autism may affect the whole body, and as adult Autistic voices have come to the forefront it has become apparent that Autism is permanent and that changes as the result of behavioural therapies are only on the surface, and do not address the way the brain functions.

New research has found that Autistic people are more likely to have stomach issues, sleep challenges, epilepsy, heightened or lessened pain responses, hypermobility, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, migraines and eating challenges, (Ward, 2023) and this list isn’t complete. Research is coming to understand Autism is a complex, whole body experience that originates in the brain and cannot be eliminated through behavioural means.

Behavioural therapies can teach some Autistic people to appear less Autistic, but those therapies cannot change the brains of Autistic people. Instead these therapies teach Autistic people to mask their Autistic traits to make the Allistic world more comfortable. Masking is a significant issue, particularly as assigned female at birth people enter perimenopause (I’ll talk about that in another blog).

Autism is largely the result of genetics and is hardwired into the systems of Autistic people. Autism runs in families, and it’s now commonly recommended that the parents of Autistic children consider testing themselves to see if they are Autistic as well. Many people feel that a diagnosis (or self diagnosis) gives them more tools to cope with a stressful world not built for them.

Autism affects each individual differently. Different strengths, different challenges, different joys, different ways of being. When you've met one Autistic person, you've met one Autistic person.

Ward, J & Weir, E, Allison, C, Baron-Cohen, S. Increased rates of chronic physical health conditions across all organ systems in autistic adolescents and adults. Molecular Autism (2023).