Autism, for me, means that my brain processes information differently, which affects how I interact with others, express my feelings and thoughts, and imagine abstract concepts. Sometimes people refer to my way of thinking as “autistic,” but this is also influenced by a society that doesn’t always understand or is unfriendly toward differences. However, I also find positive aspects in my autism, especially when I enjoy paying attention to details, fully engage in my interests, and worry less about social expectations.
I am aware that I am just one of approximately 70,000 people in Belgium who have autism. When I talk about my autism, I always try to emphasize that my experience doesn’t represent everyone with autism. Some people may share similar experiences, but others may have different ones.
Most people only know about autism from movies like “Mercury Rising” and “Rain Man,” or books like Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Some people may know someone in their circle with autism, or they might have received a diagnosis for an autism spectrum disorder themselves.
My audience often believes that individuals with autism struggle with personal boundaries, building trust relationships, expressing feelings and thoughts, and letting go of their passions. On the flip side, people with autism are recognized for their attention to detail and their unique sense of humor. They are considered honest, sometimes overly so, and often have an unusual form of humor.
In summary, people with autism are very diverse, and it’s essential not to rely solely on media stereotypes or training when interacting with them.
Regarding medical aspects and aids, I won’t delve into them here and would instead refer you to specialized websites for more information. There are also lots of books written by experts and autistic people that offer different perspectives on autism. For further details, you can also reach out to autistic network organizations and parent and family associations.
As an experienced individual, I mainly focus on my strengths, particularly my firsthand experience with autism. It’s essential to understand that my being different is not my fault but is rooted in my genetics and brain functioning. Autism, to me, represents a deep difference that sometimes imposes limitations in my social interactions but also enhances certain personal qualities. This divergence sometimes leads to a sense of limited connection with others due to my unique perception of the world and how I process information, often resulting in feelings of loneliness.
Autism influences various aspects of life and can be described on fourteen levels, which can vary depending on new experiences and developments. These levels encompass communication, making sense of the world through sensory perception, awareness of one’s body and identity, emotional sensitivity, and social interaction. It also affects participation in society and the impact on both mental and physical functioning. However, it’s crucial to understand that not everyone with autism experiences the same level of influence on all these levels. Autism is complex and varies greatly from person to person.
The European Autist 