Autism Reflection Paper

Everyone in this world carries some type of baggage, whether that’s a common habit of biting one’s fingernails or to the extreme such as dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. I carry a type of baggage called autism. By definition, autism is a “mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.” Autism has three main different disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, which is not specified, and finally the autistic disorder. Autism is run on a spectrum from being very mild( high-functioning autism) to very severe( inability to communicate). I have the mild form

After getting the diagnosis, it would prove to be a very difficult life, for not just myself but for my family. Many people thought I wouldn’t amount to anything and even my parents thought I would end up in a special-needs home. It was hard for them to see their autistic daughter hardly having any friends and called what I like to call the dreaded “R” word. That word to this day strikes like an electrical shock and makes me sick to my stomach. Forming relationships was not easy. Early on, I had trouble speaking and had to take speech therapy sessions as well as learn appropriate words for appropriate settings. I also had to learn what sarcasm meant and how that was used. I had trouble making friends with my peers because not only could I not relate, but I also couldn’t speak to them. I also didn’t like touch, not even from my family members. I did not want to get kissed, hugged, or held in any way. It isn’t because some of these with autism don’t like these affectionate gestures, it’s because the sensation feels so overbearing that our brain just can’t handle it. Those with autism are also very sensitive to lights, sounds, and even in some cases

He also gave me other passions such as traveling and talking to people. Those with autism are capable of learning anything by methods that work for them, such as verbality, visualization, etc. Those with autism also might have a habit of rocking back and forth, flapping their hands or doing other things with their hands. I often rub my eyebrows, sometimes because I stress but mostly because it is a habit. I flap my hands when I get really excited about something. I also wish a family member would tell me to quit telling me to stop rubbing my eye brows. It’s a habit I can’t control. It’s autism. Another thing that someone should know about an individual with autism is that they make really good friends. I definitely love my friends and can’t imagine life without them. I don’t gossip about them and I’m always there for them. I also love hugging them. Those with autism like any other person love getting compliments! It makes our heart soar. Also please wait for those with autism to finish their sentences when speaking. I can’t stand it when I’m talking and someone interrupts me. It’s rude. That’s