Autism-->Enthusiasm

I am currently reading a book called ‘Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism,’ an updated and expanded edition by Barry M, Prizant, Ph.D.  Here is the description of the book from Amazon: “Autism therapy typically focuses on ridding individuals of “autistic” symptoms such as difficulties interacting socially, communication problems, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. Now, this updated and expanded edition of Dr. Barry M. Prizant’s Uniquely Human tackles new language, such as shifting from “person-first language” to “identity-first language,” diversity of identity in the autism sphere, and the future of autistic advocacy by amplifying the voices of autistic and neurodivergent individuals.”

My friend, the founder of the Organization of Unique Learners (OUL), asks me to write content on autism spectrum disorder.  But I do not know much about the autism spectrum. So I told him I could help learn more about it and collect information about what I know before I start writing the content on his OUL website.

So here I am, reading this book. So far, I have been reading three chapters from Uniquely Human. I have learned a great deal about Autism from those chapters, and I have begun to understand Autism a bit better and what it is like to have a spectrum of Autism. I will continue reading and learning about it.

This will be a lifelong lesson for me because autism on the spectrum always has new perspectives and developments, and we should continue learning about it daily. Whatever we have learned about it in the past and present, we were most likely wrong about many things, and we should not think such as stereotypes and myths. There is so much more that we do not know about it. Autistic people may not have a strong voice, but we should be patient and kind and learn through their journey as autistic people. I look forward to hearing more stories and perspectives from autistic people.

Now, some of you may ask what Autism spectrum disorder or ASD is. ASD is “a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms. But for people with ASD, these characteristics can make life very challenging.”

There are classic characteristics of autism, like those listed in the definition above, and also, having a tendency to obsess over a specific item or place, over and over again.

I will be talking about obsession. It is one of the most misconceptions and misunderstood behaviors in Autism.

I finished reading chapter 3 about Enthusiasm last weekend, and I had time to think about it thoroughly this week, and I am ready to write what I know and feel so far.

An autistic person would be excited or fascinated and be focused by anything, like prime numbers, clouds, carwash, or street lamps.  One thing that intrigued me while reading that chapter mentioned one autistic person who has enthusiasm is women’s ankles. I know it is odd and weird. But he would want to look closely at, touch, and explore them.  That fascinated him. You might think he might have a serious issue or say he is crazy. Unfortunately, it is awkward, but that is his enthusiasm and it fascinated him.  Of course, he would need to ask them for permission before proceeding.

So, people would think that they are overly obsessing over those things when they may look ridiculous and do not know what to do about it, and they may feel annoyed, frustrated, or maybe embarrassed. 

Clara Claiborne Park was invited to speak at an autism fundraising conference.  She was an English professor at Williams College and the mother of Jessy Park, a gifted autistic painter.  Clara and her husband were pioneers in the autism world. She and her husband were among the founders of the National Society for Autistic Children, the first advocacy organization of its type in the 1960s. Also, Clara wrote a book called ‘The Siege.’

One person asked Clara, “I am curious about your daughter’s obsessions. How have you dealt with them?” “Obsessions,” Clara repeated, contemplating the question for a moment. “We’ve always thought of them as enthusiasms” (this was quoted in Uniquely Human book).

You may think, enthusiasms? How can they be excited about something? What is so special about carwashes, clouds, or street lamps?

We may not yet fully understand a person with autism on the spectrum and their intention to do this way. We should understand and figure out what and why an autistic person does that or this since not all of them can speak or sign. Their mind is entirely different from how we think or see. We should cave into their world to see what they see and feel. Also, we should learn their behavior and tendencies; because sometimes, they would try to communicate with you about things through things or places, point to something, say a safe code word, or want you to do something for them, so they can be consistent in their mind and enjoy whatever they are doing.

Why do they develop enthusiasm? Focusing on one topic gives them a sense of control, predictability, and security in a world that can be unpredictable and scary. Also, to put it that way, think of it as hobbies, passions, and collections.

Everyone has their hobby, right?

I have a couple of hobbies and passions: photography, LEGO, and books.  I love photography, building Lego sets, and reading fiction books, specifically Sci-Fi, Young Adult, and Fantasy. I can post too many photos at once, buy too many Lego sets that have not been built, or buy too many books sitting on the bookshelf waiting to be read. But they make me happy, knowing I will do such things when I am ready to do them. So, a short answer: I am not obsessive, but even better, I have enthusiasm.

Now, an autistic person will find it challenging to deal with many things that they are not used to in their life. They cannot stand places or things that are noisy, or lights are too bright, and it would make or cause them to act crazy and would run back and forth and make so much noise until they get what they want.  They will find things that will soothe them. That is where enthusiasm comes in.  They discover a specific something or things that fascinate them, and they will immerse themselves in details and information, whatever they may find.

Enthusiasm would also help them a lot in the classroom or at home; if they start to act erratically, we should provide something specific, like an item, photo, or a book that they like, to help to soothe them and be calm to a few minutes. So, for example, if an autistic person loves whales, give them anything with whales on it; they will be in peace and be glad and move forward.

So, I have read many stories about their enthusiasm; some are interesting and weird things mentioned in this chapter. But if that is what makes them happy and content with whatever they do. They would be genuinely themselves. Let it be.

There is a story about one person with autism spectrum who has enthusiasm for carwashes. I call him Alexander. When his father took the family car for occasional cleaning, Alexander was at first frightened when he heard those sounds, like the splashing water, the brushes, and the sight of the vehicle making its way through.  But, then, he was fascinated by them. As you know, most autistic people are susceptible to sounds (and lights). So it was natural for Alexander to be frightened and alerted. Then he begged his parents to return to the carwashes, so he could watch and listen as it excited him. That is his enthusiasm. He did not explain why, and his parents did not understand why.

Then the carwash owner befriended the family as they came to the carwash place repeatedly. Oh, it was his happy place.  The owner let him stay and help out the entrance by waving his arms to direct drivers into the wash.  Then when they travel, Alexander would explore carwashes and ask them to stop each of them, so they plan their trip accordingly to visit them from Florida to Maine.

When Alexander was 10, his parents contacted the International Carwash Association to request brochures they thought he would enjoy.  His parents were surprised that he was invited as a guest to go to the three-day convention.  It made his dream vacation come true. He could barely sleep.

Lastly, throughout adulthood, he continues going to carwashes. His father called him the King of Carwashes.

That is a great story, right? Yeah, I agree. There are other stories in this chapter 3. I might do stories of people on the autism spectrum and their enthusiasm as I find them in the future.

Oh, one more thing, an autistic person could talk nonstop about a specific item or place for hours for no reason. So when they do that, you can let them know that they can talk about it continually at a specific time or place.  They will do it if you ask them nicely.

Oh, yes, that reminds me of one TV show I still need to finish. The TV show is called: Extraordinary Attorney Woo.  Woo Young-Yoo has autism on the spectrum, and yes, she is a lawyer.  Her enthusiasm is Whales.  She LOVES talking about whales. She would love to talk about whales for an hour with her very handsome associate. He gave her permission to talk about it during lunch break. He was very patient, and he listened for the whole hour. I give him that!  It was a good show, and I learned a few things about autism on the spectrum. You should check it out sometime.

Speaking of this TV show, I should be heading out and watching an episode or two!