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Recognizing the Positive Aspects of Being Autistic

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Recognizing the Positive Aspects of Being Autistic

Autism is a complex diagnosis, and one that is frequently - and significantly - misunderstood. Society in general has a tendency to focus on the challenges and differences that autism may bring, while overlooking the unique and valuable qualities that coexist. A lack of understanding can easily lead to a negative view, which doesn’t do an individual with autism any favors. The truth is, autistic people possess a great deal of positive traits that deserve to be celebrated.


Shifting Perspectives on Autism

The narrative around autism has long been focused on the challenges it presents, whether that be in development or behavior. The longtime assumption is that these things need to be “fixed” or eliminated to steer individuals into what society deems as more acceptable. And the more those ideas get perpetuated, the more they stick. Each person’s situation is unique, but children with autism are often lumped into categories based on how they appear to function within a mainstream situation. Without an attempt at understanding, negative stigmas remain and expand, even finding their way into educational and medical settings.


Fortunately, through easier access to both information and individual experiences being shared, autism is becoming better understood as a spectrum of strengths and differences. The truth is, humans are very diverse, not just through culture, language, and ethnicity, but also with the way their brains work. When looking at autism through the lens of neurodiversity, it becomes easier to understand that it is simply a different way of thinking, experiencing and moving through the world based on natural neurological differences. Looking at it as a way each person is unique as opposed to seeing it as a disorder can improve understanding, and therefore acceptance and inclusion.


Changing long-held beliefs can be a challenge, but making the effort is worth it. Whether you have someone in your life with autism or you have a diagnosis yourself, shifting the way you approach autism can go a long way toward dismantling negative beliefs. For example, don’t ask yourself “what’s wrong?” - instead ask “what’s unique?” Don’t ask “How can I fix this?” - instead ask “How can I offer support?”


If the mindset collectively changed to remove the negative stigma, the world would be a more accepting and welcoming place for those with autism - and a lot more interesting by valuing neurodiversity and other ways of thinking.


The Unique Strengths of Being Autistic

Each individual is different, but there are some traits that are seen quite often within the autism community:


Attention To Detail

Autistic individuals are often excellent at noticing small details others may miss or dismiss. That combined with pattern recognition skills lead to excellent problem-solving skills. When Dr. Temple Grandin was a young girl, a doctor suggested she be institutionalized for what she was later told was autism. Her mother refused, and instead provided her with resources and environments to support her unique differences. She went on to receive her phd in animal science and eventually revolutionized the livestock industry by using her compassion toward animals, observational skills and attention to detail to improve the standards of livestock farms.


Intense Interest and Focus

Many people with autism develop special interests and commit to learning everything they can about the subject, collecting information with a laser-sharp focus. That ability can help contribute to creative endeavors, academic achievements and interesting conversation. While not formally diagnosed, many experts believe Albert Einstein was on the autism spectrum, possessing several traits typically associated with autism. His special interest was in the field of science, making groundbreaking discoveries in physics that changed the way the universe was understood.


Honesty

Because an autistic brain works differently than others, societal “expectations" sometimes aren’t considered. Where others might sugar coat a harsh reality or be apprehensive about telling you a hard truth, someone with autism will respond with complete honesty. Additionally, many autistic people won’t hesitate to speak out about their beliefs even if they go against the grain of the general public opinion.


Innovation

If everyone’s mind worked the same way, we wouldn’t advance very far as a society. Since autistic brains look at the world differently, this can lead to creative problem-solving and innovation. A great example of this is the inventor of the Pokemon video game franchise, Satoshi Tajiri. While young, Tajiri is reported to have struggled socially, and turned his focus to his special interests: collecting insects and video games. Eventually, these interests combined to create one of the most successful video game franchises of all time.


Fairness

Those with autism have a deep commitment to fairness and equality, quick to point out injustices and stand by their convictions about what’s right and wrong. Greta Thunberg is a well-known climate change advocate who also has autism. Her deep-seated belief in fairness shows up as she uses her large platforms to highlight how climate change impacts marginalized communities as well as future generations. She has funneled her passion and beliefs into a a call for action worldwide.


While this isn't a comprehensive list of the strengths of autistic people, it is a strong list of admirable traits that are shared amongst many neurodivergent people. Focusing on these strengths instead of dwelling on the perceived challenges can boost self-esteem and therefore improve success within education, relationships, work and personal goals.



How ABA Therapy Can Help Celebrate and Embrace Autistic Strengths

To move toward a more inclusive and productive world, recognizing the strengths of autism is vital. ABA Therapy is a highly recommended service that can play a crucial role in helping autistic individuals and their families do just that.  Bloom Behavioral Healthcare provides compassionate ABA therapy with the goal of identifying and building the strengths of your child while teaching techniques to regulate emotions and dysregulation. Through a custom treatment plan and parent collaboration, we will work together to empower your child to celebrate their unique abilities while communicating their needs and understanding their differences. With a better understanding of how their brain works, their unique strengths and how their needs can be met through personalized tools, your child can bloom. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an intake assessment.

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