Autism is a condition that affects many people in our society on a significant level. Because one in sixty-eight American children are deemed autistic, awareness of the condition is of growing importance. It is crucial that people understand autism, both so that preventative measures can be researched and improved in the future, and so that we can learn to accept and appreciate the unique qualities of autistic people.

Autism is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Autism is a diverse spectrum that affects the individual in different ways. While some children are mildly impaired by their autism, and remain highly functional, others are severely disabled. Many young children with the condition have great difficulty making eye contact, paying attention to the people in their environment, demonstrating empathy or expressing physical pain, and relating to other people.

My four-year-old cousin was recently diagnosed as being Autistic when his seeming inability to feel pain concerned his mother, who brought him to the pediatrician. Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who is famous for having designed humane animal handling systems, suffered with severe symptoms. She describes her experiences, saying, “I can remember the frustration of not being able to talk. I knew what I wanted to say, but I could not get the words out, so I would just scream.”

The condition is also often associated with intellectual disability, and difficulties in motor coordination. These impairments can affect the lives of not only the child with Autism, but the child’s family and friends.  With an overall increased awareness of autism, and with more money and effort donated to researching the condition, there is hope to assist these children with more severe symptoms and  to help them to lead healthier and happier lives.

Although autism can be extremely inhibitive, it can also add a unique, innovative twist to someone’s personality. Recent behavioral therapies and methods for earlier diagnosis are allowing people with autism to embrace the positive aspects of their condition, and to live fulfilled, successful lives. Many people with autism find solace in their intense focus and show talent in areas such as music, math, or art. These people have atypical ways of looking at the world and have a tendency to focus in on their interests to become remarkably specialized. My little cousin’s recent diagnosis explains his very intent, focused personality. When he was younger, he would study a piece of paper with hundreds of various car logos on it for hours, memorizing them with a great interest and sense of purpose. This early ability to memorize and focus may help define him and allow him to be successful later in life.

New studies have shown that throughout history, those people who had autism have used their unique abilities to make the world a better and more interesting place. People like Mozart, Michelangelo, and Newton are thought by many to have been on the autistic spectrum. Without these talented people and their ability to specialize and take their talents to a phenomenal level, our modern world would be lacking in much art and many great inventions.

Awareness leads to the recognition and acceptance of autism. It is a part of a person’s personality, and not just something that exclusively limits their possibilities. With greater recognition, we can prioritize our understanding of the spectrum, and prevent the ways that symptoms can inhibit people from following through with goals.