What Does AUTISM Stand For?

An acrostic is something kids usually do at some point in elementary school. We’ve all seen them. But when’s the last time you played with one? I recommend parents take the word AUTISM and make an acrostic. Do it by yourself or with your child. It might end up being revealing. It might be empowering. Or it might be plain silly. Either way, I think it’s a fun way to explore autism and the wide variety of attributes it can contain. Here is my attempt:

Audio

Whether it is super-sensitivity to sound or love for a particular song or movie quote, audio is a constant in the world of autism. Voices, sirens, music, doors slamming, dogs barking, babies crying. We are surrounded and blanketed by sound at all times. For those on the spectrum, it is a heightened experience. Most of us have the ability to tune out background noise, or focus on the right sound at the right moment. This is not so easy if you have autism. Separate from daily white noise is music. Music can be therapeutic, either soothing and mellow or loud and aggressive. Music can be addictive and predictable. It can also be emotional, expressive, and an outlet for release that cannot be achieved elsewhere.

Unique

Clearly those on the spectrum appear unique to most neurotypical people. The autistic brain is operating differently than traditionally established modes, which I think is something we need to celebrate more openly. An autistic person might look like they are talking to themselves or moving awkwardly. An autistic person might use language differently or approach a problem from a new perspective. They might react to something in an unexpected way or laugh at something that no one else finds funny. These qualities help create innovative thinkers, leading the way for new technology, ideas and artwork.      

Tantrums

I think autistic tantrums are different than bratty tantrums, but unfortunately most of society isn’t aware of this. Autistic tantrums need to be met with compassion and understanding even when they seem completely unreasonable or misunderstood. I feel it is our job as therapists, parents and caregivers to help provide coping skills and ways to sooth and manage these extreme behaviors.

Interests

Special interests dominate the minds of many people with autism… trains, comics, video games, animals, math, science. While sometimes becoming too interested can be problematic, but conversely, the ability to have intense focus on a particular subject can result in new discoveries. I think many aspects of autistic behaviors can function like this, a kind of double-edged sword that can have either positive or negative outcomes. It can be a tough balance of wanting to encourage an interest while also needing to limit it for the sake of social appropriateness or growth.    

Smart

I hate the Rainman stereotype of the autistic savant because it is a very narrow view of the autistic universe and individual. However, I think every person with autism whom I have ever encountered has at some point displayed to me a surprising intelligence in one way or another. Even my most severely impacted clients have shown me that they possess some kind of secret knowledge that caught me off guard and exceeded my expectations. Sometimes this intelligence is right at the surface, other times it is more hidden. But I believe it is always there.

Moving

By “moving” I mean two things. First, I mean emotionally moving. I am constantly inspired and touched by the clients and families I work with. I am moved by both the struggles and the intense love that I witness on a daily basis. There is a raw humanity exposed by autism that can connect us. Secondly, I mean moving as in real kinetic movement. Many people on the spectrum are bursts of energy, jumping and flapping and running. Or other times it is just talking super fast. Either way, working with autistic kids requires a kind of energy that is equally as physical as it is mental or emotional.

Ok, so I put mine out there and if you’d like to share – I would love to hear yours! Please feel free to send me your AUTISM acrostic at [email protected] and we’ll share it in our next newsletter!