Autism

A Unique Sensory, Emotional, and Social Development

Autism is not an illness. I have worked with autistic people for about 15 years. I have read all the literature about autism until whatever I read was a repetition of what I had already read. I have gone to autism lectures and conferences. I am an expert in autism. As a result, I think that autism is neither an illness nor a condition. There is no virus, bacteria, or gene that causes autism. There is no concrete diagnosis nor prognosis for autism. There are too many variants and too many developmental paths in the autism realm for any precise explanation or expectation to reflect the reality of autistic development. Autism is far more than and far different from an illness. Autism is a human condition. It has many manifestations that combine in many different intensities. It is also combined (comorbid) with many other conditions. Autistic people also may have mental retardation, severe anxiety disorders, cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, underactivity, speech impediments, schizophrenia, or any other neurological or endocrine problem.

In the following pages, I am attempting to offer a simple guide to autism.  I hope this is useful.