How often does it happen that people who are not particularly sociable, who distance themselves in a professional context from social hustle and bustle such as team events, lengthy meetings, the exchange of sensitivities and who have perhaps also mastered the art of saying no clearly when asking for help, are described as "completely autistic"? Perhaps a manager who is not characterised by particularly empathic behaviour is said to be cold and inconsiderate. Often, the term "sociopath" is quickly used in this context.
People who meet us as described above meet with incomprehension. They irritate us with their rejection. Their dismissive attitude collides with our expectation of socially desirable behaviour. But does that make these people autistic? Do they have a mental impairment?
Daniel Breutmann, EAP counsellor at INSITE, explains in this article the real meaning of the term & the symptomatology of "autism".
"Autism is a topic that always causes uncertainty. In my work as an EAP counsellor, I come across this topic over and over again in different places. In couples counselling, there are (usually) partners who accuse their partner of being less emotional. Or clients are looking for reasons why social contexts are so difficult for them. Autism is a quick answer. However, quick answers are not necessarily the right ones and then they are not helpful. Besides personal differences, situational influences also play a role in our behaviours, feelings and thoughts. In counselling, we can look for individual approaches to solving the problems we find, instead of general character attributions," says Daniel Breutmann.
Autism is a congenital, profound developmental disorder of the central nervous system that affects information and perception processing in the brain. Autism is not a disability but, according to the diagnostic criteria of the World Health Organisation (WHO), a mental disorder with many manifestations. Doctors group the different manifestations and degrees of severity under "autism spectrum disorders".[1] The onset is in early childhood.
The symptoms of the disorder and the behaviour described above form an intersection, so that social and emotional signals are difficult to understand. Reactions to other people's feelings or behavioural adaptations to social situations are rarely appropriate. Perhaps it helps us to develop an understanding if we compare social behaviour, decoding facial expressions, gestures and touch with a foreign language that autistic people struggle to learn.
Often, people diagnosed with autism are impaired in the areas of creativity, spontaneity and decision-making skills. In addition, they are often prone to other mental disorders, such as excessive anxiety, phobias, sleep and eating disorders, as well as challenging behaviour in the form of outbursts of anger and even acts of self-harm or self-injury.
As a developmental disorder, autism is very multi-layered and extremely complex. Despite extensive research results, there is still no conclusive explanation that proves the causes of the development of autistic disorders.[2]
There is no cure for autism. Despite therapy, the disorder accompanies those affected throughout their lives and restricts them to a greater or lesser extent in their social life.. Nevertheless, therapy for autism can achieve a lot. Which therapy measures are used depends on which autism spectrum disorder is involved. Moreover, the personal strengths of those affected also play a role.
In order to build up a relationship with other people and to learn rules of interpersonal communication, behavioural therapy takes on an important role. However, creative methods such as music, occupational, speech, riding and art therapy can also be used.
In conclusion, it should be clearly stated: autism covers a broad spectrum of illnesses and symptoms. However, this does not mean that every introversion, emotional reticence or situation-related coldness of feeling also corresponds to this clinical picture.
If we use these false attributions, we should realise that it is we who act without empathy and coldness of feeling.
[1] www.neurologen-und-psychiater-im-netz.org/kinder-jugendpsychiatrie-psychosomatik-und-psychotherapie/stoerungen-erkrankungen/autismus-spektrum-stoerung-ass/stoerungsbild/
[2] www.planet-wissen.de/natur/forschung/hirnforschung/pwieautismusderblindespiegel100.html
