5 Tips on Living with Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism – also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability related to brain development. Autism affects how a person communicates and relates to other people and experiences around them. These disorders are characterized in varying degrees and are traced by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. ASD can also be connected with learning disabilities, difficulties in attention, and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Each individual with autism is unique. In fact, the majority of the studies conducted on autism state that about 40 percent of people diagnosed with ASD have above average intellectual abilities. These abilities include superb visual, musical, and academic skills.
Following these five tips can help you live a better life with autism:
Good Manners
Good manners are the first sign of a great personality. The most important phrases to Learn and practice saying are please, sorry, and thank you. It is equally important to have good table manners such as chewing with your mouth closed. Being neat and tidy, while also practicing good manners, can be a great way to boost your confidence level.
Discover and Develop the Areas of Your Strength
Someone may be good at drawing or singing but terrible at math. One of the most important factors in a person finding success in life is by first developing the abilities with things they are good at. To recognize your talent is an endowment in itself. Too often, people will focus more on their weaknesses and the skills they lack, rather than focus on developing areas of strength. People with autism spectrum disorder often struggle with learning certain subjects or developing certain skills. If you do have difficulty with certain aspects of learning, this is not a reason to be discouraged. In fact, those who struggle in one subject almost always excel greatly in another. Based on this, we can divide the specialized minds of autism into three types where some individuals may have combinations of all three.
To start off, some people dealing with autism spectrum disorder may have some exceptional photo-realistic visual thinking skills. For example, they might be great at drawing but terrible in algebra. Then, others may be skilled in trigonometry and geometry both. Those who are drawn to music and math may even be good at computer programming, but weak in English. Generally, a verbal facts mind often likes the subjects that are linked with history, with equal enthusiasm relating to the statistics of sports. These people are usually not very good at visual thinking but can still go on to become great journalists.
While dealing with autism, it is important to encourage and cultivate the abilities that an individual with autism possesses. Their talents can be compared to a fragile flower that must be nurtured. To find your areas of strength, start by asking yourself what issues you have faced and which you have solved successfully. If you find it difficult figuring out what issues exist in your life on a daily basis, try to make a list of all the things you do every day. If you choose the clothes you wear, then you have solved the issue of what to wear for the day. When you ask a question you are actually stating an issue and when you answer that question, you are finding a solution. Thus, you will know yourself better.
Accommodation
People with autism spectrum disorder may have occasional tantrums or become overwhelmed and frightened in noisy and stressful environments like supermarkets or shopping malls. This reaction is attributed to sensory overload, a condition that most people with autism suffer from. Sensory overload is a condition that causes a person to become deeply upset or stressed by environments that are over-stimulating to them. Places that are crowded, noisy, or even possess a strong odor can be highly overwhelming to a person with sensory overload. Some people say the ringing of the school bell hurts their ears in the same way a dentist drills in your mouth. Some find their new cloths Scratchy. Accommodation is the only solution for some sensory issues. The sensory problems can also be treated. For example, if a person is overly-sensitive to noise and the church you attend plays loud music that is intolerable for the affected person. A reasonable accommodation for this problem is to use earplugs during the music or to attend a different church. Forcing someone to stay in a situation where they are facing sensory overload can make the overload more frightening and painful. Sensory problems should be handled by proper accommodations.
Make a Concerted Effort to Develop Work Skills
Here are some tips for individuals with autism spectrum disorder on how to maintain their jobs. tips are for those on both the low and high ends of the spectrum.
- You must always arrive at work on time.
- Comply with any work-related orders your boss gives you.
- Freelancing is often a good job choice for individuals with autism.
- It is best not to openly express personal religious or political views in the workplace.
- Never call others ‘stupid’ even if it is true.
- Avoid telling inappropriate jokes.
- Always conduct yourself in a professional manner with other employees.
- Never be afraid to ask a question if you do not understand something.
- Ask for instructions in writing or email if you find it difficult to remembering verbally-spoken instructions or information.
- Avoid jobs that require stressful multi-tasking.
- Ask for instructions that are clear and easy to understand.
- Do not overwhelm other employees with a large number of emails and telephone messages in a single day.
Try to Experience New Things
Individuals with autism should strive to experience new things in life. However, this process must be done gently. Unexpected or sudden changes in environments or schedule can lead to extreme fright. Plans for going to a new place should be planned with time and care. Individuals with autism must be exposed to new experiences to further their development. Those with autism should also feel comfortable with the environment in which they live in.
