Clinical Definition

Autism is a developmental brain disorder which causes impairments in a person’s ability to communicate, socially interact, and results in repetitive and unusual behaviors.

A Personal Definition -- View From the Inside

Always Presume Intellect
Taken with permission from Autism and the God Connection, a book by William Stillman, Sourcebooks, Inc. 2006
 
To those unfamiliar with autism, it is, from a clinical perspective, a neurological difference in how the brain is "wired".  There is no single known cause, though theories abound and current research is focused upon genetic and environmental factors.  (As recently as 1997, a nursing textbook was proffering the ancient sterotype that indifferent, "refrigerator" mothers were accountable for their children's autistic disassociation!)  Autism primarily affects one's ability to communicate in ways that are effective, reliable, and universally understandable.  This means many folks do not speak, or they have limited vocal ability.  These obstacles impede one's expressions of wants, needs, thoughts and desires.  This cannot help but impact the quality of one's social interactions.  The challenge to sustain social relationships is another hallmark of autistic diagnosis.

Autism is also diagnosed by marked differences in fine and gross motor skills.  These may include repetitive activities such as physically rocking back and forth, twirling a piece of string, flicking a light switch on and off repeatedly, or simply lacking in grace and agility of movement.  (Some with autism have complained that certain physical traits are not of their volition, akin to a prolonged, involuntary shiver, sneeze, or twitch.)

Autism is a lifelong experience, and is neither contagious nor curable.  It is, quite simply, a natural part of someone's being, every bit as much as eye or hair color, flesh pigmentation, and ancestral heritage--as unique and individual as each individual is unique.  It manifests itself on a broad, multicolored spectrum that stretches from those who "appear" to be significantly challenged to those with very mild experiences...

The clinical definition of autism is not family--or individual-- friendly.  It is, unfortunately, oftentimes an indicator of one's perceived deficits rather than one's strengths, gifts, and abilities.  Many parents tell me their child's diagnosis is a "death sentence".  Some are deeply embittered or resentful of their child's autism and the confusing, sometimes violent behaviors that may ensue...The focus so frequently becomes how to best manage and control those with autism for the sake of conformity and "normalcy" that we become oblivious to the obvious.  And the obvious is the extrordinary and monumental offerings provided by those who are inherently gentle and exquisitely sensitive.  Above all, we must shatter the stereotype that those with autism necessarily experience intellectual impairment (i.e., mental retardation) as a result of the autism.  I will respectfully request that you suspend your disbelief because my mantra is "always presume intellect." 
 
Stillman is an author and columnist for the Autism Perspective magazine and author of special needs parenting books.  A writer with Asperger's Syndrome and a noted speaker, he is the founder of the Pennsylvania Autism Self-Advocacy Coalition and is on boards of several autism organizations.  Stillman was also the keynote speaker for the 2007 FACES/TASH Possibilities Conference.  Visit www.williamstillman.com for more information.