By Stephen Smoot
One of the most commonly referred to conditions of neurodivergence is also one of the least understood. Most people have an awareness of the existence of autism, but not its impact on individuals who have it and those loved ones and professionals who provide support to them.
Misunderstanding starts with the term “neurodivergence” itself. It refers to the different ways in which a mind can form, develop, and operate that differ from the “neurotypical.” Most individuals, children and adults, see their minds and brains functioning in similar ways. While no one is exactly alike, neurotypical individuals tend to gather, process, and analyze information in almost the same ways.
Neurodivergence refers to those whose brains and minds have formed different processes. People with attention deficit and attention deficit and hyperactive “disorders,” autism, or even abnormally high intelligence tend to perceive and evaluate their worlds differently than the neurotypical. In many cases, these different ways of operating can produce barriers of communication, understanding, and other ways of engaging with other people.
That said, the emphasis lies on excluding words such as “disorder” and “normal” from the conversation. Some neurodivergent traits may be carryovers from prehistoric times when those traits, such as hyperfocus and also being easily distracted, were necessary for survival. This makes them no less “normal” than those who have abnormal physical traits in their genetics, such as throwing a baseball 95 miles per hour accurately and consistently or some other unusual athletic ability.
Neurodivergence and neurotypical, however, represent only the surface when it comes to talking about autism. The lack of knowledge and the plethora of bad information and cultural context contribute to parents and guardians of autistic children feeling alone with their challenges and sometimes even on the defensive.
For these and other reasons, the Parents and Caregivers Autism Support Group formed last September.
“As a parent of a child with autism,” said Tricia Poe, one of the founding members “I started this group because I often felt isolated and found it difficult to relate to those who didn’t understand the unique challenges of raising a child on the spectrum.”
“Spectrum” itself has come into the vernacular with its own context and meaning as it relates to autism. It simply refers to the broad difference in challenges and capabilities that come with the condition, but also gets used as a general term for autism itself, which fuels misunderstanding.
The group held its first official meeting in October with a goal to “provide a sense of community where parents and children can support one another with genuine compassion. We also aim to foster community understanding.” An important issue to understand with many autistic children is the “meltdown.” Parents of autistic children struggle to help others to understand that outbursts from this are “often the result of sensory dysregulation rather than a behavioral issue.”
Brighton Park will host the walk on April 11 starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. Attendees will get the opportunity to learn more in detail about autism, not only the challenges faced, but the strengths seen in these individuals as well. One can also learn about how “sensory needs and unique abilities” require that those who work with and interact with these individuals know “how to support inclusion at school, work, and society
