How The Understanding of Autism Has Evolved

For those who have been in or familiar with the autism community for years, the way the conversation has shifted over time is obvious. Many things from decades ago are now outdated, with new research and opinions popping up often. While it can feel confusing to adjust your understanding, it’s not a negative thing. In fact, it is a sign of progress - at least, most of the time. Let’s dive into how the understanding of autism has evolved. 

Spanning The Spectrum 

It wasn’t all that long ago that professionals used a simple set of symptoms to diagnose autism, diagnosing in a manner of “one size fits all.” As more and more research has been done, it’s become obvious that autism isn’t as simple as that, and is in fact more of a spectrum. No single autistic individual is the same as far as their strengths, challenges, quirks or traits. It can present very differently between people, and that’s an important distinction to make. Where a child is on the spectrum can determine their support needs, which is necessary information to create the right treatment plan for each child. 

The Perception of Autism

In the past, the label of autism seemed to focus on the things that a person couldn’t do, honing in on what could be perceived as negative components. Obviously, autism comes with its own set of challenges, unique to each person, but today the conversation has shifted to ways to make a child thrive. Instead of focusing on the negative, we build on abilities and strengths, paying attention to preferences and environments that work to make someone thrive in the way that works best for them. Support therapies like ABA therapy in the modern day focus on the individual, using personalized treatment plans with positive reinforcement to set each child up for success, adjusting as needed. There is no expectation of a cookie-cutter method - it’s completely individualized. 

Emergence of Autistic Voices

As the research and sentiment has shifted, so has the impact of autistic voices themselves. By listening directly to what is reported by the individuals actually experiencing it, a whole new world of information opens up. That input helps inform programs and treatments across the board, shaping therapy, education and community programs in a way that is more beneficial to the ones they are meant for. This ongoing conversation has also boosted the prevalence of inclusion and understanding, instead of harboring misconceptions that lead to negative perceptions. Instead of the focus being on whether a person is high or low functioning, the focus is on what kind of support each individual needs. 

Looking Forward, Not Back

The research surrounding autism has come a very long way since it first was given a name. However, that doesn’t mean the world has it completely right just yet. In fact, there are still many challenges, hurdles, and uneducated opinions floating around that can put a damper on progress at any time. Understanding the history of autism and how far it has progressed is inspiring, but that can’t stop now. Knowledge is still growing, so flexibility and an open-mind are essential to keeping momentum on forward progress, not backward. As you’re learning more about autism as it relates to your own family, keeping up on the most current, verified research is essential to helping you feel more empowered when it comes to helping your child thrive. 

We at Bloom Behavioral Healthcare are always learning and growing, constantly aware of the conversations surrounding autism . We’re committed to staying current with peer-reviewed scientific research, not trends or politics. If you have questions about the intricacies of autism, the science behind it, and how ABA therapy is set up to help your family, please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to engage in a conversation, answer your questions, and see if we’re right for your family!