Autism is not a disease – it’s a different way of being

Autism presents itself differently in every autistic person. Nobody knows what causes autism or if it even has a cause. It is not a medical condition with treatments or a cure. Rather, it’s a neurological disorder that falls within a spectrum. Depending on the severity of their condition, signs of autism might be noticed when a person is very young, or maybe not until they are older.

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disability. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

Autistic people may act in a different way than is considered “normal” by most people. They may:

• find it hard to communicate and interact with others
• find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
• find things like bright lights or loud noises uncomfortable, overwhelming or stressful
• get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
• take longer to understand information
• do or think the same things over and over

Being autistic often has a stigma attached

The shame experienced by people with autism, and their families, is similar to the experience of people whose differentness through disease or disability sets them apart - and? it can cause them to feel isolated. Especially because autism can involve behaviours that many people find frightening or uncomfortable. Some people with autism may hit, yell out or hurt themselves. They may intrude on other people’s personal space or ignore social rules. They may laugh or make noises at an inappropriate? time.

Change your way of thinking about autism?

When considering an alternative approach to the way autism is generally perceived, it is interesting to take note of the viewpoint presented in an academic paper written by Developmental Psychologist Steven K. Kapp. The paper is titled, Navajo and autism: the beauty of harmony.

In his paper Steven Kapp states: “With so much unknown about autism, the disability tends to reflect the socio-cultural preconceptions people project onto it. The predominant narrative in Western society of autism as a ‘disease’ within the medical model contrasts with the more positive, empowering view of autism as a ‘difference’ in the social model and neurodiversity movement.”

?“It is suggested that the traditional Navajo social constructs of harmony and beauty, as encompassed by a wellness philosophy called Hozho, better serve the needs of Autistic people than the Western notion of ‘progress’ through science and technology.”

What is Hozho?

Hozho is said to be the most important word in the Navajo language and is loosely translated as peace, balance, beauty and harmony.

Source:

• https://pure.port.ac.uk/ws/files/16768550/Navajo_and_Autism.pdf
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/#:~:text=Autism%20is%20not%20an%20

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