Autism Behaviors Explained
Pictured: Tenaya Johnson. Photo credit: Rick Guidotti for Positive Exposure and University at Buffalo.
by Priya Pasumarthy
ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disorders caused by differences in the neural wirings in the brain. The causes of ASD are still unknown and under study. The current rates of individuals getting diagnosed with ASD is alarming. By the age of three, the symptoms of ASD become more conspicuous. Educating individuals with ASD and getting them ready to live in a society is considered to be pretty expensive. With scant resources and support services availability there is an ongoing struggle with the systems schools and other organizations) while raising a special needs kid.
ASD are manifested as difficulties in expressive language and social interactions often accompanied by the repetitive/sensory behaviors. There are a number of behaviors or compounding issues that arise due to deficits in speech/communication, sensory, and poor theory of mind. Based on the spectrum, the intensity of the deficits varies. The core deficits persist to the point where individuals can manage themselves. No two autism diagnoses are alike. However, the core symptoms overlap. Individuals on the mild spectrum exhibit milder degrees of differences, and on the severe end differences are exhibited severely. Sometimes it can be challenging to understand these behaviors. Each individual on ASD exhibits idiosyncrasies uniquely. There is no cure for autism. However, with a number of therapies available out there that can ameliorate the symptoms. It can be managed with speech/communication therapy, OT/ABA/social skills or in adjunct with psychological/medical treatment. Here we will be examining the why(s) of behaviors on ASD and possibly offer some insights that could add up to more understanding. This article hopes to be an addend to what parents might know already or who are new to ASD.
There is no cure for autism. However, with a number of therapies available out there that can ameliorate the symptoms.
The reasons for behaviors in ASD are manifold. It could be due to one factor or a combination of several factors. Sometimes the reason might be unknown or remain puzzling which the parents and caregivers might need to explore further. Thanks to the technologies and apps that are available that help ameliorate the causative factors and yield to a quality life.
Let’s take a look at the why(s) of behaviors categorized below.
Speech/Communication Deficits
The delays or deficits in the abilities to convey linguistically or communicate can cause crises in the lives of individuals on the ASD. It creates barriers to connecting with self and around and eventually becomes compounding. The magnitude varies with the severity on the spectrum. This is one of the root problems for behavioral issues for individuals on ASD. The Speech/language/communication granted for neurotypicals is in deficit for the neurodiverse. Due to the speech/communication deficits or delays it could possibly affect other domains such as social skills, learning/academic skills, and overall functionality. These domains are interconnected with each other that affect the development of theory of mind. Sometimes the individuals with delayed speech might have good receptive skills versus poor expressive skills. The de-sync between these two areas are one of the core characteristics of ASD. Fortunately with technological and therapeutic advancements a number of therapies or apps, Speech Generating Devices are available. It needs a trained speech therapist, speech language pathologist, or a competent professional to diagnose the issues.
Understanding the Symptoms/Diagnosis
Sometimes it is easy to spot the exhibited symptoms such as delayed speech, delayed gross motor skills, lack of speech, hyperactivity (ADHD), or sensory deficits at an early life stage.
It helps to get diagnosed early so a treatment plan can be implemented earlier. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis. Sometimes the symptoms mimic or are difficult to distinguish and due in part to lack of awareness of autism. Sometimes the symptoms might get misinterpreted or appear trivial and can be perceived as mischief. And the individual might be disciplined for the wrong reason. A lack of parental awareness or non-acceptance of diagnosis can also lead to delays in treatment. These misinterpretations, in turn, would lag the developmental milestones. Understanding diagnosis plays a huge role in advocacy and planning purposes. Regardless of the diagnosis, individuals grow at their own pace with timely appropriate support to make gains in functionality. So, understanding the diagnosis and symptoms are pivotal to getting timely support which could ameliorate the deficits.
Sensory Deficits/ OT Needs
Autism spectrum exists in comorbidity with sensory deficits and fine/gross motor issues to various degrees. Sensory deficits encompass sensitivities pertaining to all sense organs and commonly noticeable as behaviors such as attention deficits, crashing into stuff, jumping, talking fast, repetitive loop behaviors, acting out, as well as Hyper-hypo sensitivity to objects, structures or other stimuli that kind of delay or trigger signals to various brain centers. Similarly, sensory issues exist with fine motor issues or along with gross motor issues( that affects balance and mobility). Sensory deficits along with fine/gross motor issues can be debilitating and cause impediments in executive functioning and organizing skills. These affect independence and functionalities of affected individuals. These issues can be managed with occupational /physical therapy or in conjunction with dietary/pharmacological supplementation.
The Unknowns
What is known about autism is too little versus what is still unknown. This is pretty much the scenario with the severe spectrum. With severe deficits in linguistic-communicative abilities, and a weaker theory of mind, the individuals are confined to themselves. Their abilities to reciprocate, share and other critical components are almost dormant or presumed null. This phase can be traumatic to affected individuals. They might have to rely on maladaptive behaviors such as breaking stuff, anger, violence, or self injury as their mode of communication. Visibly these are behaviors, but at core can be interpreted as means to express their helplessness, disagreement, or resentment over themselves or the situation they might be in. Perceiving and connecting with them can be challenging as everything works on a hypothesis basis. There will always be a fact and a factor of unknowns in autism. These issues can compound if and when not supported appropriately. For parents of individuals with severe deficits, every day feels like day one as they try to figure out the unknowns.
Pictured: Tenaya Johnson. Photo credit: Rick Guidotti for Positive Exposure and University at Buffalo.
Embracing the Systemic Issues
Getting tagged with ASD has its perks and disadvantages. On one hand, one gets timely/quality support, yet on the other hand, one automatically inherits the stigmas attached with ASD. An individual is a part of the society and pretty much reflects its ideologies and culture. As an individual grows up in a society, the complex interactions with various systems outside of the family (school, neighbors, etc.) play crucial roles in shaping the individual as well. There is an outlook shift towards ASD from the paradigm of disease to a difference. These outlooks can get barriered by attitudes, beliefs, noncompliance from various stakeholders and failure to implement laws, thus affecting the individual. These invisible systemic attributes act at a slow pace, but can become powerful with time.
Currently our society is only getting caught up with understanding and managing the disorder.
Currently our society is only getting caught up with understanding and managing the disorder. ASD is not only an individual’s or their family’s responsibility, but also society’s as well. It will be imperative for parents and caregivers to embrace these systemic barriers that exist at schools, work places, and other places in our society and work around them by advocating.
About the Author
Priya Pasumarthy is a health care provider, an award-winning author of Our Little Promise (2022) and Halloween At Luke's (2019) and resides in California with her family.