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Autism Awareness.

What is autism?

Autism is a life long developmental condition that affects how a person interacts with  and processes the world around them. Around 700,000 people in the U.K are diagnosed with autism. Autism generally accompanies anxiety, most of the time anxiety is at a high for people with autism, this can be reduced by stimming! I'll explain stimming more in depth a bit later on in this page, but it basically is movements or actions that help process emotions, like nodding your head or something like that. These high anxiety levels can lead to depression if we are not careful though. Autism is a neuro-type, neurodivergence includes other conditions/disorders too. It is a spectrum disorder so not everyone who has autism has the same needs, the spectrum looks more like a colour wheel, every pixel is a different autistic with their needs. 

 
Sensory Processing.

Sensory processing refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into responses. Autism can either hyper/hypo affect the senses, the hyper sensitivity of the five senses can cause an overload. Overloads are like a dripping tap filling a cup. So say an autistic person touches a texture that they do not like, or if the lights are too bright the hyper sensitivity of this aspect physically hurts them and can cause them to go into a meltdown, some autistics go non-verbal during meltdowns due to  sensory overload but I will touch on that later. During this meltdown anything that the individual struggles with sensory wise is a weapon, many autistics tend to stim whenever they are in these situations or if they have been affected by a sensory struggle, this regulates emotions and anxiety but is only a preventer. 

Some autistic people go non-verbal during times, when we do this it is to prevent further sensory struggles as we can feel our vocal chords and it can set us off. If an autistic person is non-verbal you need to respect that, the individual should have a preferred way to communicate like, communication cards or simply texting. You should ask individuals their preferred way of communication when they are in a calm state. 

If you know someone with autism and you want to help them with this, it is completely different to every autistic person, whether if they want your help or how to help. 

Responses to sensory overload can be, flight, fight, freeze. These responses are pretty self explanatory though the main response is stimming in most cases.

For a bit more information on this check out these Instagram posts! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEo0lRrMNi3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6fQ61sok0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKUWcGwn_5K/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Stimming.

Stimming is a healthy and important way for autistics to regulate and process their emotions. Even neurotypicals stim but not as often and it doesn't play such a big role in daily life. Autistics can stim when going through any set of emotions. Stimming can be; any repeated behaviours, voluntary and involuntary, unique to each autistic. For a full master list of stims you can check out this Instagram post, https://www.instagram.com/p/CID49v8gAAw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link , stimming is different for each autistic person!

Communication.

Many autistics understand language literally, and won't understand when you use metaphors or phrases. When talking to someone who is autistic keep in mind that shouting and confronting them is not a good way to get your point across, instead calmly talk to them with precise and down to the dot instructions or whatever your point is, make it clear and don't leave bits of information out, because what is deemed obvious and common knowledge to you isn't to an autistic person. Shouting at them or giving vague instructions only increases anxiety levels and can trigger a sensory struggle. Many autistics have communication cards for when they cannot speak/ go non-verbal. When communicating with someone who is non-verbal try to ask yes or no questions. 

Autistics struggle reading body language and emotions this can cause them to misunderstand situations, or say/do something inappropriate. Some/most autistics speak using accents or speak in a way that isn't deemed normal this is mainly due to the fact that they find more comfort in speaking like this, or they could be doing it subconsciously as a trauma response, trying to fit in. This is mainly to do with masking.

 
Masking.

Masking is basically acting neurotypical. It is a way for autistics to "fit in", it is a response to trauma and basically conceals our true identities as we have been living in a neurotypical world that has led us to be traumatized and scarred. Masking is putting on facial expressions when talking, adding tone to your voice to show emotion when talking, adding body language to your speech, keeping eye contact when talking, and so much more. Masking is not fun and it usually isn't safe to unmask in front of other or out in public, it is exhausting, draining, and when we do it too much it can cause us to have meltdowns. Personally I don't even unmask in front anyone, only when i am by myself in a safe environment. 

For a little more insight check out this Instagram post, https://www.instagram.com/p/CLI9tPUnnpV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Common myths/misconceptions.

A common myth that is widespread about autism is that we have no empathy, this is completely untrue, in fact we may experience more empathy towards other/things than neurotypicals you just may not see that due to us not being able to express deep emotions that well. We are not intellectually disabled we do learn we just can't understand certain subjects. There is no cure, it is a life long condition. We are not ill and we aren't dying we simply process life differently. 

For more insight on this check this Instagram reel out, https://www.instagram.com/p/CKxcUr8j8MU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

More.

If you want to learn a bit more about autism for yourself I recommend checking out these Instagram profiles out,

 Chloé Hayden (@princessaspien) • Instagram photos and videos

Tiffany Yu • disabled & well (@imtiffanyyu) • Instagram photos and videos

Asiatu Lawoyin (@asiatucoach) • Instagram photos and videos

The Autisticats (@the.autisticats) • Instagram photos and videos

The Autistic Life (@theautisticlife) • Instagram photos and videos

J (@actuallyautistictiktoks) • Instagram photos and videos

Autistic feminist (@autistic.feminist_) • Instagram photos and videos

Keira / 23 / 💍💟 (@autistic.cherub) • Instagram photos and videos

The Autistic Yogini (@theautisticyogini) • Instagram photos and videos

Beck Spectrum (@beckspectrum) • Instagram photos and videos

Tim Boykin (@kidish_bambino) • Instagram photos and videos

You can always check my account out too, I have highlights including helpful posts surrounding autism, 『-`⛤𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚊⛤´-』 (@satan.mazz) • Instagram photos and videos

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