Autism spectrum traits and experiences

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition involving differences in social communication and interaction, predictability and routine, sensory processing, focused interests, or repetitive behaviors. Its features are present from early childhood and typically persist throughout life. The lessons explore how autistic experiences relate to identity, wellbeing, development, and genetics.

2 articles, 1 video, 1 book · about 1 hr 44 min of reading and viewing

The reading path

1. Read
   

   autism spectrum · Wikipedia · 60+ min read

   Autistic burnout or fatigue is a prolonged state of mental and physical exhaustion. It is described as distinct from but similar to occupational burnout and is often linked to the pressure to hide autistic traits in social interactions, but no consensus definition exists and these concepts lack formal clinical criteria. Autism has a strong genetic basis, but it is unclear whether it is explained more by rare mutations with major effects or by rare multi-gene interactions of common genetic variants. Numerous genes are associated with autism, but most loci individually explain less than 1% of autism cases and have only small effects. Autistic people are significantly more likely to be LGBTQ than the general population. In a 2018 study comparing autistic and non-autistic participants, about 70% of the autistic group identified as non-heterosexual, compared to only about 30% of the non-autistic group.

2. Read
   

   Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) - Harvard Health · Harvard Health Blog · 5 min read

   Children with autism may have intellectual impairment, language delays or no language, motor problems such as difficulty walking, clumsiness or low tone, and large heads; approximately 25% of children with ASD have large heads.

3. Watch
   

   2-Minute Neuroscience: Autism · YouTube · 2 min watch

   The neuroscience of autism includes potential factors and mechanisms involved in its development, including brain development and possible influences.

4. Book
   

   The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time · Bookshop.org

   The Curious Incident by Mark Haddon is narrated by a 15-year-old boy described as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties"; although his condition is not stated, the blurb refers to Asperger syndrome. Haddon says the novel is about difference and seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way, rather than a specific disorder.

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