Perception Study

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that projects differently across one’s lifetime. It is considered a spectrum, because it drastically vary from severe (nonverbal) to mild (Asperger’s, difficulty socializing). ASD impacts the fusiform gyrus in the brain, which is what is responsible for reading facial expressions. Because of this deficit in this area of the brain, those with ASD have difficulty reading facial expressions, and therefore have difficulty socially responding to these emotions expressed through facial expressions. Those with ASD are hypersensitive to loud noises, sounds and environments that are overcrowded. They are then likely to get overstimulated, and feel overwhelmed. Many people may decide to wear noise cancelling headphones to block out the hyperactivity around them. When overstimulated, many individuals with ASD participate in “stimming” which may include pacing, nail biting, hair pulling, to try and process this overstimulation, cope, and find peace. Many individuals consider themselves introverted, find great joy in their own familiar environment and would prefer not to socialize in unfamiliar environments with unfamiliar people. Individuals who have ASD are very sensitive to sound and touch. Many individuals higher on the spectrum with ASD have special interests ( here depicted as reading) of which they excel in. May individuals with ASD are highly intelligent individuals go on to be doctors, engineers, scientists, and CEOs. Where they may lack in social ability they significantly gain and excel in what they put their mind to for careers and interests. In this series, I attempted to depict what ASD looks like from a third point of view, as well as from the eye of the beholder.