I am still working through my autism diagnosis and trying to get to grips with my symptoms. Below is the autism model that my consultant says is relevant to me.
My 'autism specialist'
Some of the information is taken from the diagnosis letter from my neurologist, following an MRI scan which discusses my particular brain damage, which I gave to my autism specialist. My autism specialist goes on to explain in more detail my strengths and difficulties that have identified me as being on the autism spectrum.
Unusual Sensory Experiences
More than nine out of ten people with autism are thought to experience their senses differently to those without autism. These differences usually affect more than one of the senses and include over and/or under sensitivities to hearing, smell, touch, taste and sight.
If too much information is presented, it can overload the senses. This describes a disorder of brain function which affects emotion, learning ability, self-control and memory and which unfolds as the individual grows.
Neurodevelopmental Model of Autism
The brain damage in the right frontal lobe at my birth has made me becoming autistic more likely, brought about through cerebral palsy. This model of autism is relevant to me as it outlines that the particular lobes of the brain that is affected may process much more information than a person without autism, but processing too much information can lead to delayed sensory processing such as being slow to find objects in a cluttered environment.
Frontal Lobe
In contrast with people without autism, the ability of the frontal lobe to function when stressed is often impaired, leading to problems with short-term memory, switching tasks, reorganising oneself in response to sudden changes and understanding others.
Frontal Lobe controls emotion and attention.
It typically controls emotion and attention, preventing emotions getting too high or too low, so that they’re more balanced. This can lead to a pattern of ‘hyper-focusing’ on a particular interest, or difficulties when it comes to concentrating on mundane tasks.
I am irritated that some of my struggles didn’t have to be struggles, but I am also grateful that finally I have managed to bring answers to symptoms I never knew I had.
I'm sure that things make a lot more sense to you now that you have the diagnosis of autism, but it still does take time to wrap your mind around the whole concept and the best ways to deal with it.
I was reminded of my ADHD this morning and how easily I can be distracted, when I was having a conversation with a friend and I focused more on seeing a kitten on a guy's shoulder when he drove past the window where we were sitting.
You and I have issues to deal with that other people don't comprehend, unless they have those issues themselves. Knowing is half the battle, but it still doesn't make things easier when things are hard to deal with, because we have those issues.
Thanks Randy. Yes, you're absolutely correct. I think your first paragraph resonates and holds true for me too.
But it's important to try to look and continue to focus on the positive because the negative will hurt us more. It doesn't help to continue to revert back to the past. If anything it makes us feel worse, because we know we can't go back and change anything.
I take comfort knowing that even though this has been my life, as your life has been yours, we're all responsible for what we put out there, so you're not responsible. Your parents are.
To live with hope in our heart is better than to remain embroiled in our personal battles on what should have happened versus what did happen. It's the hope that allows us to embrace future opportunities that will physically help us change our circumstances.
I've heard it said that the only time we should revisit the past is if we're going to act on it, but then we should never be encouraged to stay.
As Randy says the more you find out about your Autism the better. It will inevitably take a while to process the diagnosis, let alone its significance.
As you begin to make more and more sense of you, the feelings round the circumstances will begin to fade. I am sure they will never be forgotten and neither should they.
You will eventually find a place for them.
Thanks. Yes, ditto on your thoughts. I'm writing more blogs about my findings, thoughts and feelings on the diagnosis and that makes me feel better.
I'll find a place for these too.
It is clear that how damages to a person's brain affects their brain functions such as memory, emotional stability, learning ability, and self control. But it also affects their interaction and communication with others, because there is unusual response to stimulus especially in people with Autism.
Brain damages that delay the sensory processes, results in unusual response to sensory stimuli which is more found in people with autism than people without Autism. Problem with sensory processes also reflects in their attention, concentration and control on themselves.
I appreciate your positive attitude towards your life. I am sure that this information would be useful for my learnings and when I support people with Autism.
Hi Maria and welcome to the site. Yes, it has taken me too many years to work through and ascertain the points you make so eloquently in your response.
When it comes to Autism, the hard part is us being able to fit in comfortably and for others to accept we present a certain way. I have never fitted in. I have always had others judge.
Had all my family known what my diagnoses were as a child, they would have had to change their attitude and behaviour towards me to take my diagnoses into account.
I am lucky that what I feel I am able to express through my writing and my blog. Where I have neurological shortfalls through Autism, I more than make up through my blog.