Understanding Another Mental Disability: Autism

Individuals who first meet an autistic child often distance themselves or push them away, perceiving them as disruptive and difficult to connect with. However, for those who truly know A, they see a funny, pleasant, and very intelligent teenager. A has severe autism spectrum disorder, struggling with meaningful communication, and requires time and patience to get to know and be around. Autism affects how a person's brain and body work. They may have difficulty speaking, make unusual sounds, or not speak at all. Approximately 25% of individuals diagnosed with autism do not have verbal abilities, but some can communicate through writing, sign language, or picture cards. Some autistic individuals frequently flap their hands, spin around, or repeat words or actions, while others may always sit quietly and avoid eye contact. Lydia Brown, a new student at Georgetown University who has autism, stated, "They do have communication challenges and find it difficult to engage in social interactions, but they do have a desire for friendship." References: Leisure, Republika Supplement, page 0, Tuesday Edition, April 15, 2014