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What is autism?
02/04/2025
Autism is a group of differences in a person's neurology that affects the way someone experiences the world. It affects things like how you are social, experience sensory input, and think about things.
In medicine Autism Spectrum Disorder is considered a central nervous systemic disorder, which is defined by long term difficulties stemming from restricted interests, repetitive actions and deficits in social skills.
In any case it is typical in autism to be skilled in some things and to need support in others. In the end many difficulties associated with autism can be mitigated by changing the environment to be more suitable: if sensory sensitivity triggers such as bright lights or loud noise are removed, and the person has an established way to be understood in communication, everyone will have it easier.
Autism doesn't have to be a bad thing, and dismantling feelings of shame can be an important step in a person's journey to either accept their autistic self, or to better understand someone close to them. For example, it's not wrong to stim, even if it might look a bit funny. It serves a purpose, for example by calming someone or helping them focus.
Autistic people can live fulfilling lives, and make it far. For example actors sir Anthony Hopkins and Bella Ramsey, and politician Pete Buttgieg are autistic. It is however important to remember that autistic people are not always geniuses or useless. Autistic people, like all people, can be ordinary people without extraordinary skills or abilities. Regardless of neurology, it would be unfair to expect greatness from someone.
Autism can be seen as a difference instead of a burden. We are all different, and that's okay. Instead of seeing autism as something that only limits life, there is joy found in autism. Engaging with interests important to us, or for example stimming can bestow great feelings of joy to people! It's not wrong to get enjoyment from things others may not, and being different doesn't have to mean someone should be alone against their will.
Autistic people benefit from having a community just like anyone would, and it might be easier to communicate with other autistic people than with non-autists.
The neurodiversity movement believes that the things now diagnosed as central nervous system disorders or (neuro)psychiatric disorders, can also be seen as positive natural human differences rather than something negative or pathological. Neurominority (for ex. autistis and people with Tourettes) means a group of people who have similar congenital, neuroatypical way of thinking and experiencing the hold world! You can get familiar with neurodiversity perspective by attending events organized by neurominorities and by following these issues on our youth division "Nuoret Aktivistit" (young activists) social media.
You welcome you to ask more about the neurodiversity movement from us Neurominority Activists!
