feature
Succeeding
on the spectrum
Autism is not the mystery it used to be, writes Dr Michelle
Garnett, Clinical Psychologist, Clinic Founder and Director,
Minds & Hearts: A Psychology for Autism based in Brisbane.
M
parent, teach and assist children and
teenagers on the autism spectrum.
One of the best ways to assist
is to gain a solid understanding
about how the person with autism
learns and thinks, understanding
both their challenges and their
strengths. Another best way to assist
is to approach your relationship
with the person on the spectrum
ost people now of being human, including level with heart, that is to have an
understand that autism of intellect, language ability, attitude that embodies respect,
is a brain difference, personality, learning experience curiosity, openness to difference
often genetically transmitted, and language and how information and acceptance that a different way
where socialising is more difficult coming in from the senses is is not necessarily a defective way.
and repetitive behaviour and processed. There are also many These two methods, knowledge and
special interests more common. co-occurring conditions, including attitude, or mind and heart, pave the
A conservative estimate is that attention deficit disorder, depression, way to success.
approximately one in 100 people will anxiety disorders, learning disorders, have autism, across cultures, and men auto-immune disorders and spectrum is uniquely themselves, and
outnumber women at approximately movement disorders. needs to be understood that way,
two to one.
There are many different ‘flavours’
Given such complexity, it is
not surprising that many parents,
of autism because the condition teachers and health professionals
interacts with all the dimensions are ‘tearing their hair out’ trying to
While each person on the autism
there are some common strengths
and challenges within autism.
Strengths can include being
empathetic, honest, determined,
having capacity for hyper focus, an
expert on a specific topic, acute
hearing, kind and compassionate,
forthright, tenacious and persistent.
Other strengths can include being
a perfectionist, a reliable and
loyal friend, good at the arts or
information technology, singing in
perfect pitch, observant of details
that others do not see, exceptional
at remembering things other people
have forgotten, humorous in a unique
way, and liked by adults.
Challenges include understanding
how to communicate their own
Dr Michelle
Garnett
from Minds
& Hearts.
40
autism
thoughts and feelings, regulating
energy and emotions, starting
and maintaining a reciprocal
conversation, understanding the
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