Autism also brings gifts

ISABELLE ST-JEAN

April is Autism Awareness Month and the Jewish Family Service Agency is working to dispel some of the myths associated with the disorder.

Often mistaken as an emotional or mental health problem, autism is actually a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests on a continuum of high to low functioning. Asperger syndrome, for example, is considered to be in the high-functioning range of the spectrum.

As JFSA’s special needs coordinator, I strive to keep abreast of new developments and research about autism and other and disabilities. This interest is intensified by the fact that I am also the mother of a teenager who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome at five years of age.

One myth that lingers about autism is that people with this disorder are unable to build social relationships. While a significant number of autistic people share an impairment in social interaction, most will form relationships and friendships throughout their lives.

Another misconception is that the majority of individuals with this disorder are also savants. Most of us can remember the movie Rain Man, with Dustin Hoffman, that popularized this idea. However, just as people with autism share certain challenges, they also tend to have particular strengths and abilities. They tend to be forthright, non-judgmental and passionate, and they can be quite creative as well.

I recently discovered a concept called neurodiversity. This concept represents a breakthrough in thinking and results from extensive research. It was observed that much more diversity exists among human brains than previously suspected. Dr. Thomas Armstrong explores the implications of this research in his 2010 book Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Other Brain Differences.

Some of the strengths of autistic people he includes are their greater tendency to be able to focus on detail, to excel in visual-spatial pursuits and to have perfect pitch. They also tend to be systems-oriented rather than people-oriented. Essentially, the findings that Armstrong summarizes look at autistic people in terms of what they can do rather than what they can’t.

For more information on the services provided by JFSA’s special needs program or to become involved with a parenting group, contact me on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 604-257-5151, ext. 223, or by e-mail at [email protected]. JFSA’s disability blog can be found at jfsadisabilityblog.wordpress.com.

Isabelle St-Jean is the special needs coordinator at Jewish Family Service Agency.

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