What Is Autism?

What is Autism?

The current science defines Autism as a neurodevelopmental disability that has genetic and environmental origins.

According to the APA, core diagnostic criteria include consistent difficulties with social interaction and communication, and patterns of restricted, repetitive behavior, interests, or activities.

Reference: LaCava, P. G., Powers, M. D., & Cotter, C. M. (2024). Autism spectrum: An overview. In P. Wolfberg & K. Dunn Buron (Eds.), Learners on the autism spectrum: Preparing educators and related practitioners (3rd ed., pp. 21–38). Routledge.

What is neurodiversity?

There are two schools of thought here — both agree Autism is a spectrum. The first interprets Autism as a series of deficits related to the diagnostic criteria above. The second, the neurodiversity paradigm, describes Autism as a neurological difference rather than a “disorder” from the norm. On this view, Autism is a diverse expression of the human experience — one that enhances society much as biodiversity enhances an ecosystem.

Reference: Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN, 2022, About Autism section).

What is the Autism spectrum?

If you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism. — Stephen Shore, professor of Special Education, Adelphi University

An autistic person expresses their particular form of autistic being in a distinct, personal manner, just as a neurotypical person expresses themselves in their own allistic form. Just as there are fundamental similarities between two speakers of the same language — alongside observable differences — autistic expression differs by accent, tone, and pace, and by form: a spoken story communicates meaning differently than a song or a written story.

Celebrating diversity

Each autistic and each allistic individual experiences the world in nuanced ways. A teacher finds the strengths of each student and supports their learning needs by seeing the world through their eyes.

For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. (Wisdom 13:5)
For as they live among his works they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. (Wisdom 13:7)

Why have the definitions changed so much?

The study of Autism happens in political and economic contexts. As markets and societal attitudes change, the study of Autism — and the data available to observe it — also changes. Competition for limited federal resources to fund particular treatments, schools, or organizations leads to debates about the most precise interpretation of the condition.