My brother smashed the 1986 arcade game console buttons with speed and intensity as he released several cringe-worthy, evil laughs in public. For some reason, Jonathan, my younger brother with autism, receives copious amounts of joy every time he gets to obliterate business buildings, rampage through the streets and eat enemy gunman whose weapons are futile against him. Luckily, this all-out-annihilation side of Jonathan is kept within video games.
This specific benefit night with Jonathan at Free Play Arcade in Dallas reminded me that Autism Awareness month begins Friday, April 1, and with it come various shades of support-group blue, game night fundraisers, charity half-marathons, restaurant benefit nights, and all the sorts...but aside from raising awareness, we also want to deepen autism knowledge. Even with a whole month of awareness, easily bypassing autism knowledge is common.
Here are four major S's within autism that will not only help awareness but will also help deepen understanding.
Stereotypy (Stimming)
We all have our methods of relief from stressful situations, and for many of us, showers are the perfect avenue to decompress after a day of work or school. While we stand in the encapsulating and warming water, tranquility overcomes worry and thoughtless existence washes over residual anxiety. This is a similar appeal to stereotypy.
Stereotypy may have a strong resemblance to the word "stereotype;" however, the similarities are slim between terms. A plain definition for stereotypy (Stair-ee-O-type-ee) is the repeated physical motion or self-stimulatory behavior that produces a state of satisfaction.
Jonathan would "stimm" whenever he poured water onto aquatic toys in water parks, or the state of satisfaction happened whenever he would lie on an active dryer machine. Even though there is a considerable difference in normal neurological satisfaction and stereotypy in autism, we should always aim to help bring about a state of tranquility for individuals with autism.
Splinter skills (Savantism)
Although more rare, the realm of splinter skills is a subject that compliments autism because it highlights the true range in which autism exists. The typical associative term is savant, which is an identification word for "a person affected with a mental disability who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field." This definition, supplied by Merriam-Webster, gives us a glimpse into understanding the "islands of genius," as savant researcher and psychiatrist Darold Treffert would say.
An example of splinter skills/savantism is Rex Lewis, a pianist prodigy that can listen to musical recordings or notes and quickly, if not immediately, regurgitate the same music on piano. Whether the abilities are picking up entire piano songs in 10 minutes or knowing exactly how many ounces of flour to use in every pastry dish, one thing stands true: Individuals with autism have their own skill set. You and I have been given gifts that we are blessed to cognitively be aware of and to exercise; let's help those who are often not cognitively stable in an effort to help those gifts emerge. To look into Rex Lewis's story, click here.
Sensory Processing
Over- and under-sensory processing is a common thread within autism. It rivals cognitive disability in it's prevalence and is the primary source for odd and unexpected reactions.
What a gust of wind feels like to you might feel like hailstones ricocheting against their skin. If we could live one day locked in their minds and undergo the same sensory overload they experience on the daily, treatment towards individuals with autism would take a radical turn. Often the movements or sounds generated by individuals with autism are responses to certain environmental stimulantions. If we could fully grasp the state-of-mind they exist with, questioning why they only eat specific foods would be answered, expecting them to complete normal tasks in normal time would never be an expectation and trying to suppress a reactionary behavior through force would never occur.
Sundown syndrome
The term sundowning is usually associated with individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, however the syndrome is also subtly common in individuals with autism. Sundowning "is a dementia-related symptom that refers to increased agitation, confusion and hyperactivity that begins in the late afternoon and builds throughout the evening," according to Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
WebMD lists some wonderful advice when sundowning becomes apparent: "Look for patterns. Note the things that seem to trigger it, and then do your best to avoid or limit those triggers." We should be our most gentle with individuals who either suffer from Alzheimer's disease or deal with autism the later the day progresses.
Whether you're in an arcade destroying virtual cities for a benefit night or out running a half-marathon for an autism awareness group, remember that Autism Awareness month is not only about getting information out, it's about deepening relationships within the autism community.
Research and talk about the four S's and other syndromes and conditions within the autism umbrella in order to grow in empathy and understanding towards a misunderstood community.
