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Autistic Spectrum

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The autistic spectrum or ASD is a family of conditions which can affect a number of abilities at different levels.

Generally, autism is mainly associated with problems with communication and social interactions. Also, the conditions can also cover sensory overload and struggle with adapting to change. The moderate levels of autism are totally different from those at classic and at severe levels who cannot communicate and are very restricted. 

The invisible & moderate element of autism.
In comparison to the above information, independent people of the autistic spectrum (including high functioning autism & Asperger syndrome) are highly articulate and intelligent. However, they do live with specific difficulties which can affect their day to day life and their coping mechanisms.  

The Misinterpretation
Independent people within the autism spectrum can be easily shunned, disbelieved and penalised for being articulate and not be appreciated for gaining certain levels of intelligence. This means they can face hostile attitudes & be wrongly treated as untrustworthy. This can lead to many forced masks their difficulties to avoid stigma and negative typecasting.

Difficulties Examples
The examples of associated conditions including mild or moderate levels of the Autistic Spectrum including high functioning Autism & Asperger Syndrome
On the spot ability & memory
Anxiety and social anxiety *∆
Inflexible adherence to rules * (Asperger Syndrome)
Stress when their ability and mechanism are compromised.

Note:
*- This can vary depending on the affected abilities, their coping tools and mechanisms associated with a variety of situations, environments and climates.
∆ - Associated with deviating locomotion
also
It is important to be much more aware of persons limitation with on the spot ability & coping mechanisms.
Physical appearance & actions
Physical clumsiness
Non-verbal behaviour * (Asperger Syndrome)
Difficulties in walking straight (Asperger Syndrome)

Note:
*- This can vary depending on the affected abilities, their coping tools and mechanisms associated with a variety of situations, environments and climates.
Communication
Social interaction * (Asperger Syndrome)
Modified level of speech * (Asperger Syndrome)
Lower verbal meaning (High functioning autism)

Note:
*- This can vary depending on the affected abilities, their coping tools and mechanisms associated with a variety of situations, environments and climates.
Reading, writing & calculation
Spelling, reading
Phonological processing (The manipulation of words)

The other difficulty examples mentioned on this page can also affect skills on reading, writing and calculation skills in Mathermatics.
Other difficulties
In addition to the information shown, there ate additional types of difficulities an independent person on the autistic spectrum may face including:

* List making
* Memory along with short-term memory
* Remembering instructions
* Difficulty in physical & practical tasks. 
(Because people living with Asperger Syndrome may suffer with physical clumsiness, they have to be slightly longer to understand similar actions to prevent causing accidents. Also they might struggle with mutlti)
* Memorising several tasks at once
* Organising time and meeting deadlines.
* The short term memory can cause an affect on any reading, writing & calculation
Strengths
There are a number of strengths when independent people with the autistic spectrum lives with at moderate level.
* Visual Memory (Asperger Syndrome)
* High performance in HQ (High functioning Autism)
* Curiosity & interest for many different things
  (High functioning Autism)

Find out more about the Autistic Spectrum strengths by visiting the project "Advantage"

Autism Advantage
Further information
The following organisations had more details on the medical and overall aspects of the Autistic Spectrum, which covers many topics & issues. Many provide a range services available either to the general public or for business and organisations.

* National Autistic Society
* Ambitious about Autism
* Research Autism (UK)
* Autism Europe
Discover the Autism Focus feature for specialised projects & features
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