Did you know one in every hundred children has autism?
As per reports shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, nearly 1% of the global population has autism. However, while the number of autistic individuals is over 75,000,000, not many of us know about the disorder in detail. For instance, did you know autism spectrum disorder is often diagnosed much later in life or as early as 18 months?
Read along to find out many such facts and common myths
Top 7 Things That Many You Don’t Know About Autism Spectrum Disorder!
Take a look here to know more about this disorder:
1. An extensive range of signs
Typically, autism comprises a different group of conditions closely related to the development of the brain. They are often characterized by difficulty in communication, social interactions, unusual focus on details, obsession with particular things, etc. However, symptoms and intensity tend to vary among individuals.
2. More common in boys
Autism is 4.5x more common in boys when compared to girls. Additionally, boys are more likely to get diagnosed early in life. Then again, some believe that the number of cases in girls is overwhelmingly underdiagnosed.
3. The autism spectrum is non-linear
Owing to the variation and manifestation of autism, we cannot simply categorize them under a linear spectrum. Another reason why the autism spectrum is non-linear is that it involves hundreds of factors and not just how one processes social interactions.
4. Asperger’s is a subcategory of autism
This subcategory of autism is closely associated with above-average learning capacity and intelligence. Also, symptoms such as difficulty decoding tone or facial expression and difficulty in social setups are common in Asperger’s. However, individuals are divided on whether Asperger’s should be placed under one diagnosis, which is the same for autism.
5. Self-stimulatory behavior is not bad
Self-stimulatory behavior or stimming involves repeating movements or actions to stimulate or calm senses. While everyone indulges in some stimming in the form of jiggy legs or biting bails, the same is more prominent among autistic individuals.
For autistic individuals, it is more like an act of turning out from overwhelming surroundings and bringing in the sense of calm through repetitive action. So while onlookers might mistake stimming as alarming, there’s nothing to be worried about.
6. Autistic individuals can be better at certain things
Autism has its share of advantages and disadvantages for those diagnosed with it. While individuals on the autistic spectrum find it challenging to cope with planning or change, their higher IQs and heightened sense manifest as perks.
7. We cannot grow out of it!
Many believe that children can grow out of autism once they grow up. But, on the contrary, the autistic brain tends to process information differently, and it does not change through its development. In other words, individuals who are born with autism will remain on the spectrum throughout their life.
Last but not least, vaccines do not trigger autism. Don’t believe us? Believe the studies of the number that back up this statement. Several research studies have found vaccines to and have not found any connection between the two.
