• Question: What's Autism in your eyes?

    Asked by widow to Omur, Maddison, Jimi, Hayley, Chris on 14 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Omur Tastan

      Omur Tastan answered on 14 Mar 2016:

      A disease that comes in many different shapes. Some are mild, therefore manageable in some ways! It affects social relations and communication in mild cases. In severe cases, patients can’t lead a normal life and that is upsetting. What I believe is that, with proper research we will be able to cure neurological diseases like Autism and the rest and that’s why we need money for research and we need lots of scientists!!

    • Photo: Hayley Moulding

      Hayley Moulding answered on 14 Mar 2016:

      This is a really interesting question. Autism is a genetic condition, which means changes in our DNA which makes me who I am, and you who you are can cause autism. In my eyes, and supported by a lot of work done in autism, autism is a genetic condition. However, there is work which suggests that autism can be caused by changes in the womb where the baby is growing. People aren’t 100% sure and maybe there isn’t just one cause of autism. There is some suggestion that infections when the baby is growing in Mum could be linked to autism. Some other work says that maybe the way parents talk to their children or interact could increase risk for autism. When I say ‘increase risk’ this means there is another reason for why there could be autism, and other reasons (like talking to your baby) that increase the risk of it developing. In my eyes, there can be many reasons but I think your DNA plays a big role in autism.

    • Photo: Jimi Wills

      Jimi Wills answered on 15 Mar 2016:

      Autism is a big range of conditions. Aspergers was also recently redefined as a type of autism.

      The main characteristics of autism are:
      – difficulty reading emotions and other communication problems
      – taking things very literally
      – upset by changes in routine
      – repetitive behaviours
      … there are many others.

      Not all autistic people have all of the characteristics. But in general autistic people can find every day things, like ordering lunch, or going in the car, very challenging.

      In my opinion, people with autism (or any other need) should be supported so that they can function in society to the best of their ability. This includes learning how to deal with situations they find difficult, learning how to better understand others and make themselves better understood. But it also means that people in general need to be more aware of the abilities and disabilities of the people around them, and be understanding and supportive in the right way when others are finding things difficult.

      Autism is a disability, but it does not mean you can’t have a job or a family. People with autism are just people, like everyone else. And like everyone else, they are all different…

      … in my eyes.

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