Infographic - The Autistic Child
- Jim Jacobson
- Jul 30, 2015
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 10
This infographic links to a PDF version to download or share
Compare the clinical or parental viewpoint on the left, used to diagnose a child with a particular disorder, with the right side which represents the innate characteristics of the child, as seen from the inside. There is great value in early diagnosis. Treatment is an essential element of care and improves the lives of many autistic children, but that doesn’t change who they are.
We can cope and adopt to life in a human world, but we are different, and ever so. I have been autistic since birth and will die autistic. In some ways being autistic is an advantage: there are things we can do that humans can’t. It can also be a hardship to be autistic, especially considering that the social environment around us was not constructed with us in mind.
I appreciate the purpose of the original document. There are many children who will benefit from early identification of their nature. There are many adults—such as me—that have endured great difficulties in life that might have been lessened if such tools had been available during our youth. The graphic is reproduced here under the principle of fair use, to provide commentary and criticism of a singular viewpoint that doesn’t capture the way many autistic people view themselves. I count myself in that group. I live amongst humans. Humans have a lot to learn, as do we all.
This is brilliant! I'd just been image searching and found the first image. I was already starting to growl through gritted teeth, when I saw your critique of it. You absolutely nailed it.
Hey, I'm autistic, and I really don't like the autistic child illustration. It's kind of offensive. I'm not trying to be rude, but that's what I feel. Have a good day!
I need to site this for MLA Style 8th edition Research paper please Reply where the original source came from
Autism is a mental illness
hi i'm anthony i'm autistic i was diagnosed late with autism and everyone needs to look out for the sighs of autism
NO
i have all the symptoms severely but havent been diagnosed why do u think that
this is great at giving perspective
Hi autism
May I download this picture? And I want to add Chinese translations, then share to Chinese readers. Do you agree?
Amazing. Thank you for helping us understand so easily
I was diagnosed with ASD when I was only six years old. Too young to know what I had, and to understand myself. Probably when I was around the age of eleven or twelve was when my autism hit me the most. The classroom made me uncomfortable. The teachers noticed I was behaving "unusual and strange" I knew the teachers started looking at me different. They did not do or say anything. But I knew it was going to affect my grades and well being. My mother noticed my anxiety and got me a counsellor. My parents finally decided to tell me what I needed to know. I understood myself and who I am. I knew I was going to get through school. But what bothered me the most was that nobody knew or understood. My classmates would just gossip about my "strange" behaviour! I knew because my friends would tell me. I felt alone, misunderstood. I just wish they knew, understood, accepted. Before you say anything about anyone, think, what could be going on in that person's life? If I say this, will this person feel worse? And this poster means a lot. To me this poster is something to live by. I know if I was put to it, I will get through it. Don't think of autism as a disease! Don't worry about curing it, worry about accepting it. This is my story. I hope you take it to heart in everything you say and do.
I appreciate the change in perspective from the left side to the right. As my daughter was being evaluated for autism, these clinical questions on the left drove me crazy. I found myself rephrasing them to emphasize the positive aspects of these traits. However, it's hard to know for sure what my toddler is thinking. Your first hand experience is reassuring. I will be sharing this graphic for autism awareness month. Thank you!!!!
My son is autistic and I can say the one on the right is denial ridden thing I've ever seen. It's a shining example of refusing acceptance
Awesome graphic. Thank you. Will be sharing this :)
I love this. I think it really explains the world from the perspective of an autistic child.
As a high functioning spectrum dweller for whom only some of these applied as a child, this is awesome. I roll my eyes and mutter snarky comments at 75% of the autism memes out there, but this is one of the best I have seen.
Jim, Thank you for sharing you! I refer to your site as I teach Kindergarten through grade 3 students with Autism. I simply love how you relate to everyone!
Sorry for the anonymosity.. l'm Helena from Portugal
Shared it a year ago! And again this year! People need awareness to different behaviours. My son fits in every aspect .. he's almost 7 now and was diagnosed when he was 2! He has improved a lot over the years thou!