The autism spectrum is very broad. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. People with profound autism typically have significant cognitive impairments and require around-the-clock care, while other people with ASD can have high-powered jobs and live independently. Between 30 to 50% percent of people with autism also have seizures.
Autism’s prevalence is growing. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 1 in 36 eight-year-old children were identified with autism, a rise from the 1 in 44 rate announced in 2021. It is unclear why the rates are rising, although better diagnoses and a change in the definition of autism likely play a role.
Source: https://autismsciencefoundation.org/what-is-autism/
The autism wheel is a helpful tool that does a great job of visually representing how autism may appear in different people. While no graphic or tool can ever fully describe a person’s experience, the wheel provides a more in-depth way to understand the unique complexities at the individual level.
The autism wheel features a collection of potential autistic traits, such as sensory sensitivities, special interests, anxiety, fidgets, social challenges, and more – and lets each person express the degree to which they experience them.
This tool can help individuals with autism and the people around them understand their unique needs. Someone who is considered “high-functioning” may appear to not need as much support, but when we look at their wheel we may see that they don’t struggle in social situations, but they have difficulties with executive function. This person is no more or less autistic than any other autistic person, they just need more support in some areas than others.
Source: https://ablelight.org/blog/why-the-autism-wheel-is-replacing-the-spectrum/
