Introduction
There is a lot of controversy and misunderstanding about what Autism is, what it means to those who are autistic and what it means to those with someone close to them who is autistic. The so-called mystery surrounding autism may never be completely overcome, but with some hope of enlightenment for Autistics and "normal" people alike, this site has been constructed as a statistical database from which information about autism can be shared.
What is Autism?
First, let it not be said that Autism is a disease. Diseases kill, or at least make the person ill. Autistic people are not ill, apart from infirmities which can afflict anyone and have nothing to do with the condition itself. That said, autism is a neurological condition indicated by certain brain functions which are atypical (e.g., "not normal"). There are numerous resources available which give specific lists of criteria and definitions for identifying autism, however, so we will not be investigating that here, beyond those used in the surveys. In a nutshell, and to be inordinately simplistic, being autistic means "wired differently".
What Causes Autism?
There are more theories about the cause of autism than people on this planet (slight exaggeration). Relatively few of the theories, with perhaps the exception of genes, have substantial proof. Therefore, the answer to the question "What causes autism?" is "We don't know."
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The Surveys
There are four (4) types of surveys. The Autistics Surveys are for autistic people to give their perspective on the criteria and related characteristics for autism. The surveys are divided into sections to minimize the potential for overload. Each survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Please submit each survey only once.
The Friend/Family Surveys are for parents of autistics, professionals dealing with autistics, and others associated in some way with autistics. Just as neurotypical people should not take the Autistics Surveys, so too should autistics refrain from taking the Friend/Family Surveys, unless they are taking them in regard to another autistic they know.
The "Who Am I" Surveys are for those that aren't sure whether they are on the Autistic Spectrum or not. Note: They are not intended as a means of diagnosis, but again, are meant to get the perspective of the survey taker who may not be sure where they "fit in".
Finally, the Control Surveys are for Neurotypical (normal) people, about themselves. The Control Surveys may act as a control group, through which comparisons of the differences and similarities between NTs and Austistics can be made.
The Survey Results shows a side-by-side view of the differences and similarities of perspectives between Autistics and Neurotypicals as they come in. The results are dynamically generated, so as more surveys are taken, more accurate statistics will be made available. With hope, upon seeing the differences and similarites in perspectives between us (ACs and NTs) we will come to understand each other a little bit better.
Terminology Used in the Surveys
There are several definitions and generalities which should be clarified prior to taking or reading the surveys.
- NT
- Neurotypical (for purposes of the surveys, any person not within the autistic spectrum, i.e., "normal")
- LFA
- "Low-Functioning" Autistic
- HFA
- "High-Functioning" Autistic
- ASD
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder - includes all forms of autism
- AC
- Autistic and Cousins
- AS
- Asperger's Syndrome - a high-functioning autism classified as having no significant delay in cognitive language or speech development
- PDD-NOS
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. Any autistic disorder which does not fit into other specified autistic classifications.
- Perseveration, perseverating
- An 'abnormal' obsession with a particular subject, object, word, or action
- Stim, stimming, stereotypies
- Repetitive or stereotyped movements, such as hand-flapping, finger-twisting, or complex whole-body movements.
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