Autism is not a disease, it is a different way of thinking and perceiving the world. The autism spectrum is not only a set of challenges, but also talents, passions and unique qualities, the Chief Health Inspectorate reminds us. Unfortunately, the needs of people on the spectrum are still not adequately addressed.
European Autism Week is underway
Published Dec. 5, 2023 10:03
Autism is not a disease, but a neurodevelopmental disorder. Its causes are not fully understood. Both genetic and environmental factors influence its manifestation.
- There is no one gene or one group of genes that is responsible for the spectrum appearing or not. There is ongoing research and information that the spectrum is linked to some genes, but there are many. Therefore, no genetic tests can help us diagnose autism spectrum and explain the cause. What we do know for sure is that the nervous system, especially if we are talking about the brain, develops differently, receives information differently and processes it differently. As a result, it builds a slightly different picture of the world. Different doesn't mean inferior. Just different," said psychologist Joanna Grochowska, vice president of the Synapsis Foundation, in an April interview with Medexpress.
People on the autism spectrum need adequate support. This is primarily another person. There are also systems to support communication, useful especially for people who do not speak or speak in a very limited way.
An element of support that cannot be overemphasized is therapy. It should take into account the individual needs of the person on the spectrum, his or her strengths and difficulties, and focus on working to strengthen strengths.
- We are certainly also thinking about what to do to make it easier to cope with the reception of stimuli, so that breakdowns do not occur. Sometimes in the workplace or school it is enough to introduce the possibility of being in a quiet room during breaks, for example, or to allow sitting in headphones," Joanna Grochowska pointed out in the interview.
Unfortunately, according to parents and therapists, the Polish system does not secure the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Caregivers are most often on their own, because there are not enough places offering support. The biggest problems are faced by those entering adulthood, who are no longer subject to compulsory education. They are not admitted to nursing homes or occupational therapy workshops, and there are not enough vocational activity centers for them. At the same time, data from the Supreme Audit Office shows that the percentage of employed people on the autism spectrum in Poland is less than 1 percent of people with disabilities.
We recall an interview with psychologist Joanna Grochowska, vice president of the Synapsis Foundation:
