Guest lecturer- Autism

Question 1

What is Autism?

Answer 1

Autism is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.

Question 2

Besides social communication and interaction deficits, what is another key characteristic of autism?

Answer 2

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Question 3

When must symptoms of autism be present?

Answer 3

Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period.

Question 4

How do the symptoms of autism affect an individual’s life?

Answer 4

Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning

Question 5

What other condition must be ruled out when diagnosing autism?

Answer 5

These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability.

Question 6

What are some critiques of the DSM-V’s definition of autism?

Answer 6

• Uses deficit-based language that dehumanizes and others autistic people.
• Based on external behaviors rather than internal experience.
• Based on the presentation of autism from a narrow demographic range.
• Does not encompass the entire autistic experience.

Question 7

What is the neurodiversity framework?

Answer 7

Neurodiversity is a proposed framework that argues there is intrinsic diversity in human brain function and cognition, and that certain things currently classified as neurodevelopmental disorders are differences and disabilities, but are not necessarily pathological.

Question 8

What are some key aspects of how autism is understood from a neurodiverse perspective?

Answer 8

• Individuals with autism have a unique sense of communicating and reading others.
• They experience a range of emotions, including joy, from stimming and special interests.
• Individuals with autism were born this way, and autism is the clearest way to describe them compared to others.
• They benefit from supports and accommodations in a world that was not designed for them

Question 9

What are some key areas of the autistic experience not covered in the DSM-V?

Answer 9

• Systems and process oriented
• Memory and information retention
• Independent
• Empathetic
• Sensory differences
• Autistic joy
• Direct communication
• Diverse perspective

Question 10

What is masking in the context of autism?

Answer 10

Masking is the ability to attempt to act as desired by allistics (non-autistic individuals). It is a result of a lifetime of negative social feedback and trauma and is associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Masking is more common in autistic girls and women

Question 11

What are some important language considerations related to autism?

Answer 11

• Identification vs. diagnosed: Some individuals identify as autistic without a formal diagnosis, while others have a formal diagnosis.
• Condition vs. disorder: Some prefer the term “condition” over “disorder” as it is less pathologizing.
• Person-first vs. identity-first: Some individuals prefer person-first language (“person with autism”), while others prefer identity-first language (“autistic person”).
• Functioning labels: Functioning labels like “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” are outdated and can be harmful, as an individual’s support needs can fluctuate, and these labels do not accurately reflect the complexity of the autistic experience.