Autism

Autism Awareness

Everyone with autism is different - "If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism".

Here are some of the ways in which autism can affect people on the spectrum:

Special interests - most people on the autism spectrum have interests that can be obsessive. These can include talking about certain subjects (for example history, TV shows, Disney, trains, animals, etc.) and collecting things that they are interested in.

Change, Structure and Routine - people with autism find it difficult to cope with changes. This includes small changes (like someone being late, a bus being diverted or a new toy) as well as big changes (like starting a new school/job or moving house). Having structure and routine makes the person’s life more predictable and easier for them to cope with.

Anxiety - people with autism often have higher levels of anxiety. This is often related to changes, social interaction/communication or misunderstandings.

Sensory issues

Sight - some people with autism find bright lights difficult to cope with and have to wear peaked hats/tinted glasses, while others have difficulty with depth or judging where things are.

Noise/hearing - some people on the autism spectrum are hypersensitive to noise and may cover their ears, while others may appear not to hear specific sounds or may seek out loud noises.

Body awareness (proprioception) - poor proprioception is common amongst people with autism. It means that they may be clumsy, bump into things or injure themselves easily. Some people hand-flap or pace so that they know where their hands, legs and feet are.

Smell - being hypersensitive to smells can mean that the person with autism cannot tolerate a certain smell/s and may feel like running away from the source of the smell. Others may really like certain smells and scents.

Taste - many people on the autism spectrum have issues with tastes and textures. They may have a very restricted diet, dislike strong tastes or eat the same things repetitively. Other people might not taste things very well and will add lots of strong flavours/seasonings to their food.

Movement (vestibular) - some people with autism have an under sensitive vestibular system and may seek out movement such as rocking.

Touch - many people on the autism spectrum are sensitive to touch. Light touches can feel uncomfortable or even painful and they may prefer more firm touch - e.g. bear hugs. Others cannot tolerate any physical contact. Clothes with scratchy bits or labels can be irritating.

Pain - a high pain threshold can mean that some people with autism will not react to pain in the same way as other people would, and in rare cases might not even notice an injury like a broken bone.


Aspen

Aspen is the character I created to explain to other people what it is like living with autism. She now features in three books I have made, as well as on the free autism e-learning course I helped create for my local council. For more Aspen illustrations, including funny metaphors, click on the link below! :)