My last post on the Aspie Ambassador page dealt with the proposed changes of the diagnostic criteria for autism. In particular, there is much popular worry that higher functioning autism will be lopped off the diagnostic tree because the old labels of "Aspergers" and "PDD-NOS" are being absorbed into the proposed single "Autism Spectrum" category.
There is simply no way to include every common trait and nuance for those on autism's higher end in any diagnostic formula. It is also a gamble to decide how many traits compiled on a checklist make the tipping point between "sorta like autism" and "yep, it's autism."
For fun (and yes, I do consider this fun), I wanted to see how many traits I could name which identify people on the higher end of the spectrum. I envisioned those walking and working amongst us who are both charming and irksome... adults and children alike who don't quite fit in but aren't different enough to be called a problem... and I typed away. After reading over my list, which is in no way diagnostic or official, I concluded that there must be hundreds of people who can be (and are) missed by the existing diagnostic criteria. Myself included. It always comes down to how big a problem things become. Those of us who are quirky and quiet don't always cause enough trouble to be rubber stamped as "different."
This, in turn, opened the philosophical doors of my wandering mind. How important is it to be diagnosed? Does there really need to be a world-wide census of Aspies? To what end? On the one hand, it might make some of us feel better to know that we are merely differently wired. On the other hand, it might make some genuinely beautiful souls suddenly feel defective.
You know... I think diagnosis is called for when the intention is healing. If someone is broken, they don't need to be "fixed" as much as they need healing and reconciliation, acceptance and love from those around them. Parents can take this step on behalf of their children by having them evaluated and diagnosed at an early age, making sure they get a focused curriculum of the skills most commonly missing from people with autism. And, people who have never been diagnosed may be looked at in a different light (assuming, of course, they overwhelmingly fit the picture). Not irksome, but having a social learning disability. Not awkward, but frightened by the confusion of not knowing what to do. Not trying to insult you, but unable to comprehend your feelings.
Not defective, but broken, and in need of healing.
A fruitful Lent to us all.
Here is my wordy and unofficial list of traits.
People on the higher end of the autism spectrum can often look like this:
- Difficulty looking people directly in the eye
- Glancing about during conversations (mostly with eyes, not turning whole head) or looking down
- Walks with head down
- Prefers to follow behind others rather than be first to lead
- Dislike being touched, hugged, patted on the back, or tapped on the shoulder
- Difficulty recognizing rules of social distance/physical space... may get too close when speaking, or not take the hint to move on when conversation has ended
- May interrupt others with seemingly unimportant thoughts (afraid to forget)
- May remind you excessively of things (afraid you will forget)
- Will socialize if others initiate, but rarely strikes up conversation
- Keeps thoughts and observations to oneself, or blurts out thoughts inappropriately, without considering other people's feelings or social graces
- May be overly literal/concrete... concepts are grasped as all-or-none, with little understanding (or tolerance) of gray areas or exceptions to rules
- May over-apply rules or guidelines, and express concern if he/she believes others are not following rules
- May not realize topics have changed in conversation, or comments on entirely different topic than that being discussed
- May not recognize nonverbal nuances, such as nodding, winking, gesturing, fidgeting
- Uncomfortable or overwhelmed in groups... may sit quietly or stand off at a distance
- Works well in solitude
- Difficulty answering questions on the spot... slow to respond or very uncomfortable
- Finds it easier to socialize with people that are substantially older or younger
- Can appear oblivious to surroundings... does not notice when things need attention (e.g., may walk past a spill without thinking to wipe it up, since he/she didn't make the mess)
- Easily stays on same topic again and again
- Naive, gullible, child-like demeanor
- Seems to like childish things well into adulthood
- May have resisted "growing up"... didn't want to learn how to drive, didn't look forward to rites of passage in adolescence, watched childhood television programs long past appropriate age
- Speech is too loud (always shouts) or too quiet (mumbles or keeps hands over mouth when speaking), odd "accents", syllabic stress or rhythm is odd
- Echolalia (repeats back what you have said rather than responding to the statement)
- Speaks in choppy sentences, does not complete thoughts
- Only uses proper names, does not shorten to "he" or "she," "him" or "her"
- May have strong vocabulary... reads at high level
- Uses overly technical or sophisticated language... does not seem to be able to talk in layman's terms
- Trouble with basic concepts of place & time (on/off, front/back, before/after)
- Difficulty changing topics
- Perpetually in motion with "stim" behaviors, unconsciously (such as: bobbing head, tapping repetitively, wiggling hands, etc. for no apparent reason... constant "nervous habits")
- Fascination with rotating objects
- Loves routine and hates unexpected changes
- Seeks, keeps artifacts
- Likes objects more than people
- Strong memory for dialogue, music, sequences
- Uneven skills (very low in one area, very high in another... little middle ground)
- Hard to do something out of original context (in other words, if something is learned in one setting, it can only be done well in that exact same setting. If the person tries to do it in a different setting, they seem to forget how to do it).
- Perfectionism or high personal standards... harsh self-criticism
- Easily frustrated and wants to give up as soon as something gets difficult
- Enjoys arranging and rearranging things
- Difficulty stopping one thing and starting another
- Internal distractions ("lost in thought")
- Weaker core muscles, as seen by leaning when sitting or standing, tiring out easily when working, having difficulty lifting or pulling heavy objects
- Trouble with fine motor tasks -- took a long time to learn how to tie, dislikes writing in longhand, etc.
- Sense of danger is off: too low (extremely naive, or daredevil with no understanding why others may be afraid of the consequences) or too high (overly cautious, avoidant, worried)
- Sudden behavioral outbursts without warning
- Emotional reactions seem extreme, inappropriate or unpredictable compared to most people
- Loses track of time... chronically late OR Overly focused on timeliness and becomes irritated when others are late or circumstances cause delays
- Becomes overly frustrated waiting to take turns
- Inflicts self-injury as a method of coping with stress (skin cutting, head banging most common)
- May be overly sensitive to pain, or seem to not feel pain at all
- Extremely picky about food -- texture, keeping different food separate on same plate, aversions to certain odors
- Emotionally volatile or "sticky" -- hard to change emotions even when situation changes
- Hard to let go of anger or grudges
- No middle ground when conflict arises
- Can't process too many words at once, especially feedback or criticism
- Craves deep pressure, such as heavy clothing, heavy blankets even in warm weather
- Clumsy, easily disoriented, trouble with driving/walking directions
- Walks without swinging arms freely... may roll up on toes when walking
- History of gastrointestinal trouble, particularly chronic constipation
- Has difficulty hearing even though formal tests do not show hearing loss
- Difficulty falling asleep... thoughts keep going and going
- Irregular personal hygiene/disregard for dressing and grooming appropriate to weather, social occasions, etc.
- Relies on parents or older mentors well into adulthood... still asks parents to take care of responsibilities such as making appointments, car repairs, business transactions, even though he/she is fully capable of doing such things and will succeed if he/she tries on own
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