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Sarah Giovagnoli
IDS-400 Diversity
2-2 Project Introduction
Southern New Hampshire University
Professor Paul Anderson
January 17, 2024
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Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder
As a mother to a thirty-three year old son on the spectrum, the topic I have chosen for my
project is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Specifically, I would like to explore the resources and
opportunities for individuals on the spectrum, as I am sure they have changed since my son was
first diagnosed. I would also like to focus on society promoting inclusion and diversity with the
culture. “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that
affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can
be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a developmental disorder because symptoms generally
appear in the first two years of life” (N.I.H., 2023). Individuals on the spectrum face disparities
and stigmas all the time. Due to the misconceptions about autism, often times neurotypical
adults are less willing to engage with autistic adults during a first meeting. The lack of
information and education on ASD is a major part of the reason for the disconnect this group of
individuals has within society.
Population
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “1 in 36 children have been
identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is reported to effect all racial, ethnic, and
socioeconomic groups. Autism spectrum disorder is nearly four times more common in boys
than in girls” (2023). These numbers have drastically changed over the last twenty years as the
number of individuals diagnosed with ASD continues to grow. Autism is also known as a
“spectrum” disorder as there is a wide variation in the types and severity of symptoms that
people experience (N.I.H., 2023).
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Lives and Experiences
There is no cure for autism and that is okay, it is something that does not need a cure.
Individuals with autism are just being who they are and seeing the world through their
perspective. Although there definitely can be challenges with being on the spectrum. “One of
the main symptoms for individuals with autism is an inability to process all the different sensory
inputs in their environment” (Szczerba, 2016). Different sounds, sights, touch, and even smells
can affect someone with autism differently than they might affect others. I remember my son,
when he was a toddler, not being able to go into the grocery store because the lights would hurt
his ears. At the time we did not know that was what was making him tantrum but soon realized
after he was diagnosed and we learned more about his diagnosis.
Many people with autism also feel like they need to hide their true selves from the world.
Known as masking, autistic individuals often feel like they need to pretend to be who others
want them to be (Lee, 2019). Often time’s individuals with autism will feel alone, shunned by
society and misunderstood. This is not the case with all autistic individuals but more so than not.
Trisha Van Berkel states, “Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive . . . It is
about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world . . . . It is about developing
differently, in a different pace, and with different leaps” (Martin, n.d.).
Social Science
I chose the Social Science lens because I feel like too many times society tries to change
a person with autism and make them fit into what society considers normal instead of being
accepted for the person they are. According to Aylward, et.al., (2021), “discrimination, fear of
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stigma and uncertainty regarding the diagnostic process and services also continue to negatively
affect the receipt of early diagnosis and intervention.” How people are treated, looked at, and the
expectations that are put on them matter. In order to change the stigma, we first need to
understand the stigma. Is it fear? Fear or the unknown or fear of change? Fear can make
society stigmatize groups of people before they learn the facts. According to Hurley-Hanson,
et.al., (2020), “The stigma of individuals with ASD is unique from the stigma felt by individuals
with other disabilities. This is because autism is considered an invisible disability.” People
cannot put a face to what autism is supposed to look like. Society needs to understand the needs
of individuals on the spectrum and education is the key to this understanding.
Thesis Statement
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a community of neurodivergent individuals that is
numbers have dramatically increased over the last twenty years. This trend will continue to rise.
Social changes need to be made to the stigmas that society has placed against this community of
disabled individuals. Education and early intervention are key for both the ASD community and
society in general.
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References
Alyward, B.S., Gal-Szabo, D.E., & Taraman, S. (2021). Racial, Ethnic, and Sociodemographic
Disparities in Diagnosis of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. JDBP, 42(8),
682-689. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000000996
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Autism Spectrum Disorder. CDC.
https://cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
Hurley-Hanson, A.E., Giannantonio, C.M., & Griffins, A.J. (2020). The Stigma of Autism:
Autism in the Workplace. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29
Lee, R. (2019). It is Time to Stop the Stigma. Autism Speaks. https://www.autismspeaks.org/life
Martin, D.N. (n.d.). The Ever-Changing Social Perception of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the
United States. Explorations. https://uncw.edu/csurf/explorations/documents
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Autism Spectrum Disorders. N.I.H.
https://nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd#part_2283
Szczerba, R.J. (2016). Experience What Autism Might Feel Like. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertszczerba/2016/experience-autism/?sh=825c8f24cb00