What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological developmental disorder.

Due to the variety of symptoms and their intensity, we are talking about the AUTISM SPECTRUM.

Autism spectrum disorders affect human functioning, including how to pick up stimuli, how to communicate and think. This method is neither better nor worse, it is just OTHER. Yes, how different is each of us.

What autism is NOT:

• Disease
• No Education.
• Malice.
• Quirk.
• Aggression.
• Personality disorder.

Behaviors with which we can meet a person from the AUTISM SPECTRUM:

Social contacts and communication:

• difficulties in making contact,
• avoidance of eye contact,
• difficulties in understanding complex messages,
• receiving messages in a literal way,
• telling straight what he thinks, even if it may offend another person.

Behavior:

• reacting inadequately to the situation
  e.g. laughing or crying,
• Behavior in an unusual way such as turning around, waving hands, clapping etc.
• repeating a word or sentence,
• responding with aggression or shouting in a situation of danger, unplanned change or overloading with stimuli.

Reactions to stimuli:

• hypersensitivity to stimuli, eg sounds, light, flashing images, smells, touch;
• very low sensitivity to stimuli, e.g. to touch

How to make everyday life easier for a person from the SPECTRUM AUTISM?

• speak in simple words,
• speak without figurations, proverbs and metaphors,
• ask simple, specific questions,
• do not require eye contact, its lack does not mean disrespect to the interlocutor,
• show kindness,
• do not criticize,
• do not mock,
• stay calm
• do not give “golden advice” to the guardians of the spectrum person,
• remember that unusual behaviors may be a defensive reaction of a person from the autism spectrum to situations difficult for her, excess or deficiency of stimuli,
• if possible, remove or reduce the stimulus, for example, reduce the volume, reduce the intensity of light, turn off the flashing devices,
• if the person does not respond to the touch, voice – repeat the command with a low voice.

Facilities for people with autism spectrum in Galeria Katowicka:

• Mute Room – designed for children and adults with autism spectrum, with reduced tolerance to stimuli. The room is located on the +1 level.
• Quiet hours – every Saturday from 9.00 to 11.00 in Galeria Katowicka, music will be turned off on the passages.
• Stores Friendly to people with autism spectrum – at the request of the customer in marked stores, it is possible to turn down the music and / or dim the lights.
• Mobile application – search function for People Friendly with Autism and navigation to shops and Peace of Mute.

Strengths of people with autism spectrum:

• great memory;
• rich spatial imagination;
• authenticity;
• unconventional way of thinking and solving problems;
• compliance with the rules;
• eloquence (Asperger Syndrome)
• accuracy;
• amazing ability to focus on topics they are interested in.

Remember, first see HUMAN, then autism.

More information: www.metis.pl/autyzm

Download leaflet: here