CIRCLE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM SYMPTOMS

STRENGTHS

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Some characteristics
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INCREASEMENT OF INFORMATION PROCESSING PROBLEMS BUT

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creativity and social interest meticulous, rule-abiding

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Some characteristics that may impede functioning

INCREASEMENT OF INFORMATION PROCESSING

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PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED FOR ASD

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MORE OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED

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Several characteristics that impede functioning

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Aut i s m

STRENGTH BECOMES WEAKNESS

Autism is diagnosed three times more often in men than in women. However,
nowadays, more women are getting the diagnosis and it becomes more clear that
the symptoms women display differ from men substantially. Women who receive
the diagnosis show interest in other people and are more socially involved. Also
their interests are less eccentric. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for ASD as
described in diagnostic manuals. The characteristics of autism are described as a
line in which the autistic symptoms increase in number and/or severity. However,
investigating the symptoms that are described, including those of women who
receive the diagnosis, the autism spectrum appears more a circle than a line, ending
in the autism spectrum. The circle consists of other symptoms that are a result of
information processing problems, ultimately leading to autism.

Every person has his/her own strengths and weaknesses. But instead of focussing
on weaknesses, the focus should be on strengths. These strengths are described
in the Circle of Autism Spectrum Symptoms in the upper region. On the right side
of the circle, the strengths are being very accurate, great eye for details, etc. On
the left side of the circle, the strengths are creativity and being able to make
connections. However, when these strengths are so explicitly present, that they
impede daily functioning, for example focussing on details too close so that the
overall picture is lost, or connecting so many things together that focus is lost,
these strengths can become weaknesses. This weakness may lead to the diagnosis
autism, regardless the expression of the symptoms described on the left or right
side of the circle. The right side is described thoroughly. The left side needs more
exploration, so misdiagnosis can be avoided and behavioral effects of information
processing problems can be investigated in the broad autism spectrum, in both
men and women.

* CIRCLE IS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL IN THE BOOK: ‘THIS IS AUTISM, FROM BRAIN FUNCTION TO BEHAVIOUR’.

Dr. Fabienne Naber, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, [email protected]

Colette de Bruin, Geef me de 5, Doetinchem

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