Coping with Autism Diagnosis: The Positive Side of Autism
Did you know that more than 3.5 million people in America live with a form of autism? Coping with autism can present challenges, but your son or daughter can still live a remarkable and fulfilling life. There is a positive side of autism to consider.
What do iconic figures such as Albert Einstein and Elon Musk have in common? They both had autism spectrum disorder.
Being autistic does not have to be a disability. Some people who have autism have unique talents and gifts that can let them soar to incredible heights.
Continue to read to learn more about the positives of autism.
What Is It Like to Be Autistic?
Autism can be very different depending on the individual.
Some children will have such severe autism that they will be dependent on a wheelchair and a feeding tube. They may never speak.
Others may behave normally but have trouble communicating or giving eye contact.
The most important thing to remember is to support your child and encourage them to build off their strengths. A common skill among autistic children is their ability to focus and learn.
When believed in, your child can achieve amazing things. Some of the world’s most intelligent and successful people are autistic.
Positive Attributes of Autism
While autism is a medical condition, there is a multitude of positive attributes to discover. Below we highlight a few in detail.
Detail-Orientated
Many people who have autism spectrum disorder are very detail orientated. This goes back to their uncanny ability to focus.
Your child may be able to solve complicated visual puzzles or comprehend a complex book at a young age. Furthermore, they may recognize details that most people would not grasp. This is an incredible talent that many wish to have.
A Different Perspective
People who have autism spectrum disorder see the world through a different lens. With a unique perspective on life, autistic people tend to have creative and original minds.
They may think of an idea or concept that most people would not even imagine. Often people with autism are dreamers who understand the limitations of reality as well.
Incredible Passion
People with autistic spectrum disorder are some of the most passionate individuals in the world. Once they find something that interests and excites them, this becomes their purpose. They put 150% in, and this passion drives them every day to excel, learn, and grow.
With Passion Comes Expertise
Some autistic individuals may become “obsessed” with a certain pastime, occupation, or topic, and this is a great thing. Their passion can lead them to become an expert.
From knowing the comprehensive history of 20th-century music to learning the anatomy of the human body, autistic passions can lead to fulfilling careers. Often people go to individuals with autism to learn about a certain topic.
While communicating may be a challenge, autistic people love to share their passion and talk about it. It makes them happy. Sharing their passion and being recognized for their knowledge can also create a sense of pride and confidence for them.
Routines are Treasured
People with autistic spectrum disorder thrive on routines. They are at their most comfortable when following a schedule. They rely on this routine every day and often are upset when they have to break it.
Discovering an effective routine can help autistic individuals manage life better and succeed.
Excellent Memory
Along with their deep passion and ability to become experts in a wide range of topics, individuals with autism have an excellent memory. Autistic people can recall bits of information quickly and on the spot.
Some individuals on the spectrum are autistic savants. Savants have incredible memory about certain topics.
They can remember specific dates or even life experiences that happened decades ago in clear detail. The iconic 1988 film Rain Man gave a glimpse into the mind of an autistic savant.
Authentic
Many people with autism spectrum disorder are known for their authenticity. They own who they are and do not care about what others believe. They understand that they are different but take pride in their capabilities and perspective.
One thing everyone can learn from autistic individuals is to love yourself and not be afraid to be the real you. It does not matter what others think of you. As long as you stay true to yourself, you will attract the right people.
There is too much pressure in society today to behave a certain way. For autistic people, this is not a reality.
Autistic people do not prioritize fitting in or following specific social expectations. They thrive on being unique.
Honest and Truthful
Most people with autism are not afraid to speak their minds. They are blunt, truthful, and honest. Individuals with autism see no benefit in lying or stretching the truth.
They value honesty and being upfront about their feelings. While they may have trouble communicating what they want to share, their words are filled with innocence and truth.
Coping with Autism Does Not Have to Be Intimidating
As highlighted above, there are many positive aspects of autism spectrum disorder. Your son or daughter may have incredible gifts.
If your child is coping with autism, we encourage you to support them as they share their talents with the world. Be an autism advocate.
At Developmental Pediatrics, we help autistic children thrive and develop their unique skills every day. We love when we see children reach their fullest potential. It is what drives us to do what we do.
To learn more about our team and our services, we invite you to contact us today.
