It is time to understand that having autism can sometimes lead to a unique way of thinking, but that the thought patterns are equal to those who have not been diagnosed.  Many people associate autism with a deficit of thought, a lack, an inequality in mental ability.

The truth is that those with autism have their own thought processes going on, and those processes are an equal form of thought.  It is a unique means to a similar end.  Though the challenge is in verbal ability, the strengths are in other areas.

Those with autism continually challenge themselves to learn how to communicate in a verbal world.  In order to connect, we should challenge ourselves to communicate in other ways. 

  The following is a general idea of what autism is like for someone who has been diagnosed.  This description captions are from Temple Grandin, Ph.D., as described in her book "Thinking in Pictures."  She talks about her hightened associative and visual thinking abilities.

"One of the most profound mysteries of autism has been the remarkable ability of most autistic people to excel at visual spacial skills, while performing so poorly at verbal skills.  When I was child and a teenager, I thought everybody thought in pictures.  I had no idea that my thought processes were different...

Another indication of visual thought as the primary method of processing information is the remarkable ability many autistic people exhibit in solving jigsaw puzzles, finding their way around a city, or memorizing enormous amounts of information at a glance....

When I invent things, I do not use language.  Some other people think in vivdly detailed pictures, but most think in a combination of words and vague generalized pictures."

As Temple Grandin explains, the thought pattern is equal, though not initially verbal.  With such a high number of autism diagnoses per year, isn't it time for us to begin to understand a non-verbal world?  As opposed to pity or fear of difference, make a pledge to understand associative and visual thinking.

Please take the time to read "Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism," by Temple Grandin, published by Vintage books, a division of Random House, Inc.