Life on The Spectrum
Photo by Miranda Duarte
Different, but not less
Autism affects between one to two percent of the American and worldwide population. (Department of Labor, U.S.)
The diversity of disability, means that each person's individual experience of autism and needs for support and services, can vary widely. Autism spectrum disorder appears in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5. While symptoms may vary by individual on the autism spectrum, those of us diagnosed experience several common traits. Specifically we have atypical language use, communication style, social interaction, motor coordination, sensory processing, and executive functioning.
Yet, this does not give society the right to exclude autistic people. Everyone, no matter their circumstances, should have an opportunity to participate. That being said, the world is not the same through the point of view of the Autistic lenses. I always knew I was different from my peers, but it was not until I was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, that I truly noticed and understood that I act differently than others.
To start, a common symptom of autism is sensory processing, which may lead to burning out (or mental, physical or emotional exhaustion) easier than a neurotypical person. Burn out is not a trait exclusive to autistic individuals. Many people get burnt out from school and work all the time. However, burn out unfortunately worsens for autistic individuals, especially for students like me. While working on class assignments, it is common for me to get distracted, follow the steps, make sure I do not miss anything, and get tired. After putting so much effort into just one or depending on the day, several assignments, I may need a little time to rest and reset. That applies to everyday tasks as well. If I am required to do several tasks a day, I will likely procrastinate or get tired from them instantly.
Then related to my autism, there is constant security and comfort that I seek in my routine. I am not a particularly adventurous person, therefore I thrive most in my comfort zone. For instance, as a young child I was very picky with food and did not try much outside of what I would usually eat. This is still evident today when I order the usual grilled ham and cheese at the DUC. If a dish does not look visually appealing to me, I typically do not bother.
My communication with others is another area where my actions are atypical. I tend to struggle looking people in the eye when we are speaking. Specifically with people I am not close with or just met. Secondly, I am not efficient at forming complex sentences in the immediate moment. I know what I want to say, but I have so many ideas in my mind and they get lost in translation. If I am given a pen and paper with proper time to write what I want to say, this is where I excel.
As a junior at Pacific, I can detail how important and imperative academic accommodations have been to my success. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provide accommodations that place me in a space to succeed.
While I am different in some respects, I am also the same in others. I am still a college student, seeking to impress and make friends like others. I like to mix up what I wear every day, but with a patterned routine. I occasionally end up wearing the same clothes in consecutive weeks, however it is not my intention. I like to show off my different shirts.
I cannot speak on the experiences of every Autistic individual, I can only speak from personal experiences. That said, I would like to recommend some places outside of campus that may provide help to anyone who struggles with Autism. Examples include the Valley Mountain Regional Center, The Arc San Joaquin, and Kaiser Permanente. Though being autistic is not easy, coping mechanisms I use for my disability include listening to music, going on walks, staying hydrated, and surrounding myself in a quiet environment. Nobody should feel insignificant because of a disability they have, nor should they adhere to the belief that they need to be fixed. The world can be very scary, yet it can also be very resourceful. There is bound to be someone or something that will assist through the tough times.
Works Cited:
Department of Labor, U.S. “Office of Disability Employment Policy: Autism” https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/autism#:~:text=Autism%20is%20a%20neurological%20developmental,and%20attaining%20integrating%20community%20living.