Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects how the brain works. You will often notice that people with Autism think and interact differently with the people around them.
Other than Autism itself, Aspergers is also a form of Autism but on the mild side of the spectrum. Aspergers used to be a separate diagnosis until 2013.
Autistic individuals may:
Experience challenges in communication and social interactions.
Process and interpret others' thoughts and emotions differently.
Be sensitive to sensory inputs, such as bright lights or loud noises, which may feel overwhelming or uncomfortable.
Feel anxious or unsettled in unfamiliar situations or social settings.
Require additional time to process information.
Engage in repetitive thoughts or behaviours, which can provide comfort or structure.
Inclusion is about offering the same activities to everyone, while providing support and services to accommodate people’s differences. It is important to understand that a “lack of accessibility may prevent [those requiring further assistance] from fully engaging in society through social interaction and workforce participation, and may contribute to their isolation from their community (Heitor et al. 2014, as cited in Mahmood et al. 2019). By providing more accessible facilities, services, and other levels of infrastructure, it can be ensured that people with autism can fully engage in society.