Autism Awareness: 7 Awesome Things About Individuals with Autism

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A Parent’s Perspective: Celebrating the Unique and Beautiful Things About Children with Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to understanding and celebrating the incredible uniqueness of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Often, the conversation around autism focuses on the challenges. However, there’s an incredible array of strengths and awesome traits our children with autism possess that deserve the spotlight.

Dedicating a whole month to Autism Awareness gives us, as parents, permission to freely acknowledge and appreciate our children for who they are. It also allows us to discover new ways we can advocate for our kids in their individual journeys. Each of our children has challenges, gifts, needs, and things they offer the world. 

In this blog post, we honor the characteristics of our children with autism by highlighting seven awesome things about individuals with autism that you, as parents and caregivers, might already know. They are still good reminders. These attributes are not comprehensive and they may not all represent your child, but they are a good way to remember that different does not mean less.

autism awareness

1. Detail Mastery

Children with autism often exhibit an extraordinary level of detail orientation. They may notice the subtlest changes in a routine or distinguish patterns that skip others’ attention. This ability is not just about spotting differences but also about gaining a deeper appreciation for life’s intricacies. 

Whenever you find yourself frustrated by your child’s attention to detail, stop and try to appreciate the small things in life—the things that may seem insignificant to you but are important to your child. You may even find joy as you linger and notice things from your child’s vantage point. 

2. Focus Prowess

Many parents witness their children’s incredible concentration on tasks that intrigue them. This focus prowess can lead to significant achievements in academic fields, hobbies, and maybe even chosen jobs or professions. The deep engagement that children with autism can maintain may be a stepping stone to something they do later in life.

Yet sometimes hyperfocus serves no greater purpose other than the delight and entertainment it brings your child. That, too, can be a beautiful way in which they experience life. 

3. Memory Brilliance

An amazing memory is another common strength found in individuals with ASD. They can remember intricate details from events or conversations that happened years ago or retain facts related to their areas of interest, which often helps them excel in those areas.

Some nonspeaking kids demonstrate their very active inner world by remembering where things were placed, what happened last time, or how something works. Our kids’ memories are incredible.

4. Visual Learning Power

Visual learning can be a key strength for children on the autism spectrum. They have the knack for processing visual information efficiently, often leading to a different, sometimes more holistic understanding of concepts than their peers.

A capacity to process information visually can also lead to communication. For example, our kids will often take us by the hand to show us something they want to say or point to pictures in a book. Again, highlighting the unique way they see the world.

5. Expertise Development

Autistic individuals tend to become very knowledgeable about their interests. This isn’t just a hobby—it’s passion-driven learning that can lead them to become experts in particular subjects or fields.

For those of us with children who may never become experts in the eyes of the world, they still dive deeply into the things they are interested in and amused by in ways that reflect how truly unique and interesting they are as human beings. 

6. Creative Innovation

Don’t be surprised if a child with autism astounds you with their creativity. Whether it’s art, music, or finding unconventional solutions to problems, the innovative thinking styles of those with autism can lead to truly original creations and ideas.

Even an adapted way of communicating or a sense of humor can be a creative expression. Our children’s differences force them to develop out-of-the-ordinary ways of expressing themselves and their personalities. 

7. Resilience and Integrity

Living with autism means facing a world that isn’t always accommodating to different ways of thinking and perceiving. However, our children often show a resilience that’s nothing short of admirable. Furthermore, they are known to have a strong sense of integrity, valuing honesty and loyalty highly in their relationships with others.

Often, our kids with autism have no pretense, no hidden agenda; they bring their whole selves to this world. That is their greatest gift. From them, we can learn how to be ourselves more fully too.  

Celebrating the Awesome Things About Kids with Autism

Celebrate these strengths with your child. Remember that every day is an opportunity to learn more from the unique and varied perspectives children on the autism spectrum bring into our lives.

To all of you parents out there, we see your dedication and support in nurturing these awesome individuals. Your role in understanding and raising awareness of ASD is crucial. Keep fostering these strengths, and together, we’ll create a world that appreciates and embraces each person’s unique abilities. Together, we can help build a more aware and inclusive society.

This Autism Awareness Month, let’s spread the word about the positive and inspiring aspects of autism. Click here to download a FREE printable of 7 Awesome Things About Individuals with Autism. 

What is your favorite, most awesome thing about your child?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, please feel free to like, share, and follow us for more insightful content on autism and ABA therapy.

If a positive, play-based approach to ABA appeals to you, we invite you to reach out to ABA Connect. The friendly team at ABA Connect is always ready to help answer your questions.

 

 

 

 

Please keep in mind that while I am a consultant writing on behalf of ABA Connect, my child is not a current client. The views and experiences shared in this blog post are entirely from a parent’s perspective. My goal is to provide informative content and insights based on my personal experiences, as well as interviews conducted with the staff at ABA Connect.

Does my child have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

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Exploring Sensory Processing in Children with Autism

Aisling Hagan, MA, and Clinical Resident at Bright Behavior Inc.

Have you ever noticed your child gag when eating certain textures? Or prefer for the lights to be off in the room? Or even cover their ears outside, even though you didn’t hear anything? 

Individuals impacted by Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can rarely detect what sensory stimuli are affecting them and how. However, with a bit of information about SPD, you can be aware of what may be impacting their senses and how to help support them.

sensory processing

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Processing includes the brain’s ability to process sensory information (stimuli). Common sensory information includes things we hear, see, smell, taste, or touch. Those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) generally display a sensitivity to stimuli that others cannot relate to. 

A common misconception regarding SPD is that the individual impacted by it will overreact when in contact with nonpreferred sounds, textures, and tastes; however, those impacted by SPD can also underreact. For example, a child may seem to have a high tolerance for pain or not appear to notice others in a crowded room. It is possible for an individual affected by SPD to have oversensitivity, undersensitivity, or a blend of the two.

How does this impact my child?

Over-sensitive

Those who are considered over-sensitive will be noticeably agitated by:

  • Sounds – loud airplanes, trains, or things in the far distance that cause them to cover their ears
  • Bright lights
  • Textures of clothes – resistance to rough or specific textures, favoring softer textures
  • Textures of Food – rigidity in diet choices, such as only eating crunchy foods

It is common for children with SPD to become overstimulated, increasing the display of tantrums, social isolation, or rigidity. 

Under-sensitive

Those who are considered under-sensitive will appear to be disconnected from societal expectations. These individuals are likely to be:

  • Hyper-active – seek stimulation through jumping, spinning, mouthing inappropriate items
  • Can sometimes experience difficulty with sleeping
  • Minimal or no reaction to pain – doesn’t notice when they stub their toe or skin their knee

How can I help my child?

Rethink Stereotypy

Have you ever tapped your foot while anxiously waiting in the doctor’s office? Twirled your hair around your finger while making a phone call? Or tapped your pen on the edge of the table while attending a meeting? These are all behaviors we engage in to help us focus, similar to the stereotypy we see in those with autism.

While hand flapping, doing a quick spin, lining up toys, or reciting their favorite commercial under their breath may catch a few glances, your child is likely attempting to regulate their sensory processing system. “Stereotypies can be a visible read-out of a person’s state of being, both negative and positive” (McCarty and Brumback, 2021).

Studies show that stereotypies increase following a trigger. However, people can also engage in stereotypies when happy. It is safe to say that stimming can aid an individual who may suffer from SPD by organizing their thoughts, helping them focus, or getting rid of excess energy. 

Be Proactive

Read your child’s body language to identify specific sounds, textures, etc., that they are especially sensitive to. For example, if your child is showing sensitivity to loud noises, purchasing noise-canceling headphones to wear when they are exposed to loud noises can make a monumental difference. If your child is showing a great interest in being stimulated by textures, purchase texture tiles or other sensory-fulfilling items.

Reach out to Your Pediatrician

If you think your child may have SPD, it is best to contact your pediatrician. They may give you a formal diagnosis and connect you with an occupational therapist. 

References

McCarty, M. J., & Brumback, A. C. (2021). Rethinking Stereotypies in Autism. Seminars in pediatric neurology, 38, 100897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spen.2021.100897

Medical Home Portal – Sensory Processing/Integration Disorder. https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/clinical-practice/common-issues-for-cyshcn/sensory-processing-integration-disorder

Medical home portal – sensory processing/integration disorder. https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/clinical-practice/common-issues-for-cyshcn/sensory-processing-integration-disorder