To Know Autism: An Odyssey of Companions and Prosperity.

By: Staci Nappi

As the mother of an autistic child, I know that there is a different world behind every human’s eyes, one richer, deeper, and more potential. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not just a disorder; it’s a different way of being, misdiagnosed and wonderfully beautiful.

It’s not an easy autistic minefield. A diagnosis is usually a collaborative effort by pediatricians, psychologists, and neurologists who seek symptoms and developmental events. This whole-of-person philosophy also teaches us that autism is not the result of a singular list of criteria. Rather, it’s all those experiences, with her different path each time. There are three levels of needs — Level 1: moderate support, Level 2: moderate support, and Level 3: extremely significant support, all of which are part of DSM-5. These spectrum levels are illustrative of how the spectrum is not a label but an identification of autistic variation. And individual variation in strengths and needs suggests that autism is not a universal disorder.

Autism is 70 years old, but the word became associated with it only in the 1940s. Every one of us has been lonely and misunderstood during the years leading up to diagnosis. This fact helps us care for each other and fit into our societies. And the diagnostics, correct though they are, are complicated.

Autism doesn’t have crisp blood or scan results. Instead, professionals use observation, developmental testing, and standardized social-communication skills tests. The parents notice the signs – stunted growth, out-of-tune behavior – and that’s the first question and assessment. It gets done now, and the research is clear that autism diagnoses and treatments are super-helpful – as early as three years of age. BOT/speech therapy can be part of a therapy plan, depending on the person. It’s a very tailored program that prioritizes development and autonomy and empowers people on the spectrum with agency and identity.

The sun is shining on the bright side, though. Plenty of autistic individuals have full lives and contribute to society. Neurodiversity can be a very powerful instrument for recruiting and valuing the autistic. This type of change breeds a society in which differences are celebrated and encouraged.

We are the storytellers and content creators responsible for bringing you resilient, win-win, empathic narratives. Hearing stories from people with spectrum disorders not only opens our consciousness to their experiences, it takes autism out of the sand. All stories are part of the human landscape that tells us that there is something magical about achievement and success on any issue.

Awareness and understanding is crucial. When we’re open to embracing the autism narrative, then we can all work to create a world in which all people are good and all people are beautiful. So we can, on the way, attempt to create those bridges of empathy in which nobody will ever be left behind and misinterpreted. And so, we make lives easier for others and our society as a whole.