Luke Bartolo ‘27
EE Staff Writer
April is Autism Awareness Month, which was created to help raise awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurological disorder that impacts sensory tolerance and social skills. It is important that we raise awareness for neurological disorders, such as ASD, as neurodivergent individuals often experience discrimination. It is important that people understand what they go through each day.
There is an ongoing conspiracy theory that vaccines cause Autism. This is not true, as the 1998 study suggesting this statement was further reviewed and was proved false. According to the CDC, several studies have been done proving that vaccines do not cause ASD.
Another neurological disability is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many people see kids with ADHD as misbehaved, spoiled, or not motivated to sit still. In reality, these individuals can not control their hyperactivity. ADHD affects the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning. Kids in school are often punished for not being able to focus or sit still in class, either with consequences or bad grades. This can be seen as discrimination, as they are being punished for something that is out of their control. In the last few years, we have seen more classes to give more intensive academic support to those with ADHD, ASD, and other disabilities so grades do not suffer.
Autistic individuals are more likely to be victims of crime. According to the National Institute of Health, a pooled prevalence rate of victimization in Autistic individuals was found to be 47%. This included 47% for bullying, 16% for child abuse, 40% for sexual victimization, 13% for cyberbullying, and 84% for multiple forms. These numbers are outrageous. In order for this to stop, more people need to understand what ASD is, and that people on the Autism Spectrum are not “lower” than neurotypical individuals.
The DSM categorizes Autism Spectrum Disorder in 3 levels:
Level 1 – Requires support
Level 2 – Requires substantial support
Level 3 – Requires very substantial support
A common discriminatory statement that has been found to be used against Autistic individuals, especially Level 1, is “You don’t look Autistic.” People don’t intend to be discriminatory when using this statement, but it is an insensitive statement, as they are implying that Autistic individuals are supposed to look a certain way. In reality, Autism comes in many forms, and no two people on the Spectrum are the same.
Schools need more programs to raise awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder. To learn more about ASD go to www.autismspeaks.org.
Photo courtesy autismspeaks.org
Very informative. Excellent article.