What is Autism?
Autism is still an evolving definition with variations on the definition depending on the source:
“According to the CDC, autism is defined as follows, ”Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.
A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.”
(see: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html for a more complete explanation)
A definition of Autism as defined in the DSM-V at www.autismspeaks.org:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-diagnosis-criteria-dsm-5
A more detailed and comprehensive overview of autism can be found here:
https://www.myautismteam.com/resources/autism-an-overview
A more modern and positive definition can be found here:
https://autismtreatmentcenter.org/knowledge-base/what-is-autism-overview/
Temple Grandin is one of the champions of the autistic community. She is autistic herself and has learned to leverage her strengths and overcome her weaknesses to become very successful. This is one of her videos that helps explain the autistic brain:
While society tends to view this as a disease, the reality is that these kids often have gifts and sometimes superpowers that neurotypical individuals do not possess, therefore they act differently. These kids have untapped potential as a result of their condition. Here are just a few examples:
2) https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/famous-people-with-autism/
4) TED Talks – Temple Grandin
The World needs all kinds of minds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKhg68QJlo0