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Interviews on Autism
As Educators in the field of special education, general education or other specialized services, we tend to know a few key terms, facts, or ideas about Autism. We may have even had a student with autism or have talked to a colleague who works with children who have autism. I found myself wondering: what does the average person know about autism? I interviewed four different people, they ranged in age and professional and recorded their responses below. Last names are not included for identity purposes.
RoseMary-RoseMary is 76 years old, and she was a general educator teacher 40 years ago. RoseMary likes to spend her time reading about history, reading non-fiction and fiction books or watching Jeopardy.
In a few sentences, tell me what you think autism is.
“I don’t think it is only one thing, I think it is a combination of many problems, ranging from severe to less severe.”
What do you think autism is caused by?
“I don’t think they know yet, possible gene combination.”
Do you think there is a connection between certain vaccines and autism? Why do you think so?
“I don’t think so, just from what I read; they have never proved that there is a connection. Many people thought so, but it has been disproven.”
How many American children do you think have been diagnosed with Autism? (1.5% or 1 in 68 children)
“5%.”
I told RoseMary the statistic.
“I’m glad I didn’t say a higher percentage
Do you know any characteristics of autism?
“I know that some children don’t like to be touched, they show repetitiveness, and sometimes physical motions that repeat, like flapping their arms or rocking back and forth.”
Do you know any movies or TV shows where the main character has autism? Or books?
“Yes, what’s that movie with Dustin Hoffman? Oh it’s rain man. I don’t really remember the movie.”
How would you interact with someone who has autism? Would you treat them the same as you would a person with a non-disability? Or differently?
“I think I would act differently, try to be more patient and more understanding.”
What is one thing you would like to know about autism or have always wondered?
“I would like to know why it happens and what causes it.”
Katie – Katie is 47 years old and she is a Special Education patient psychiatric autistic support classroom support teacher. Katie was a deaf and hard of hearing teacher around 20 years ago, then later in her career switched to working with troubled youth. About 3 years ago her work assigned her to work in a mental health hospital, some but not all students have autism.
In a few sentences, tell me what you think autism is.
“A neurological disorder affecting behavior, executive functioning, social skills and sometimes academic skills. “
What do you think autism is caused by?
“Something genetic, possibly environmental.”
Do you think there is a connection between certain vaccines and autism? Why do you think so?
“No, I read the science and read the re buttle of the only one scientific document that cited that autism is caused by vaccines.”
How many American children do you think have been diagnosed with Autism? (1.5% or 1 in 68 children)
“13.5%”
In responding to my answer of only 1.5%
“Oh, that is lower than I thought.”
Do you know any characteristics of autism?
“Yes, repetitive movement, echolalic, scripting, and social awkwardness.”
Do you know any movies or TV shows where the main character has autism? Or books?
“Atypical (Netflix series), the curious incident of the dog in the night, parenthood (ABC series), Martian child, the movie about temple Grandin. You should really watch Atypical, it’s good, it’s about a family and one of the children just happen to have autism and it’s about their life.”
How would you interact with someone who has autism? Would you treat them the same as you would a person with a non-disability? Or differently?
“The only difference I would probably make is allow for a little more wait time and wait for a reaction to see how they are doing.”
What is one thing you would like to know about autism or have always wondered?
“I want to know why they pick some of the stims like repetitive movements or vocalizations. Why they pick the ones they pick.”
Luke- Luke is 13 years old and likes to solve puzzles, create mazes and play outside. Luke has a younger sister, a twin sister and a cousin with special needs. Luke fore-warned me that he does not know a lot about autism.
In a few sentences, tell me what you think autism is.
“I really don’t know.”
What do you think autism is caused by?
“I think that you are born with it.”
Do you think there is a connection between certain vaccines and autism? Why do you think so?
No I don’t think so. How would that even happen?
How many American children do you think have been diagnosed with Autism? (1.5% or 1 in 68 children)
“ I think maybe 10% or 1 in 30.”
When I let Luke know the statistic, he said he was not surprised.
Do you know any characteristics of autism?
“Yes, they can show violence, and they can be really loud.”
Do you know any movies or TV shows where the main character has autism? Or books?
“El deafo the book, oh wait, I think they may have just been deaf and Rules the book which I read.”
How would you interact with someone who has autism? Would you treat them the same as you would a person with a non-disability? Or differently?
“Yeah, I would act way differently, I would be more patient and nice.”
What is one thing you would like to know about autism or have always wondered?
“I wonder why they are the way they are.”
James - age 25. James is a student at University of Penn studying international relations. James likes to read about current invents, history, and anything that may interest him. James dates someone who is a special education teacher and who is currently enrolled in the Special Education/Autism Endorsement Program at the local university.
In a few sentences, tell me what you think autism is.
“I think that Autism is a neurological disability that leaves those who suffer from it to experience a varied/different experience/perception of the world. I know people who have autism have a high IQ, but it could be a misconception.”
What do you think autism is caused by?
“A number of factors, such as developmental issues within the womb. It could be genetic and possibly be caused by outside chemicals when the child is young, it could be from cleaning supplies or led paint, they banned led paint from everything.”
Do you think there is a connection between certain vaccines and autism? Why do you think so?
“Yes. Anecdotal scenarios that I have heard from people I trust. They said that they brought their children to get their first set of vaccines and they said they “stopped” developing mentally, I am still unsure but kind of leaning towards it a little bit. I don’t think all autism is caused by it, maybe a little?”
How many American children do you think have been diagnosed with Autism? (1.5% or 1 In 68 children)
“Under 1 percent.”
I told James the rate, and he responded- 1 in 68 children is a little higher than he thought.
“I am also curious to see how the autism rate differs in parts of the world with vastly different living situations. Like urban vs rural, or eating habits.”
Do you know any characteristics of autism?
“Anti-social behavior, sort of OCD traits, and high IQ.”
Do you know any movies or TV shows where the main character has autism? Or books? “Rain man movie. I think that was my first time ever seeing anybody with autistic characteristics and I was impressed by him because he had so much attention to detail, but I also felt bad because he was so trapped by routine and his own comfortability.”
How would you interact with someone who has autism? Would you treat them the same as you would a person with a non-disability? Or differently?
“I would be much lighter around them, or gentler. I would monitor how they react. Whichever ways I find them feeling comfortable I would continue to do that.”
What is one thing you would like to know about autism or have always wondered?
“I wonder how autism rates are different in different parts of the world. The definite causes, how does it happen?”
I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing various people about autism. I was pleasantly surprised by all answers, most people seemed to have an understanding of autism. Every interview elicited more conversations about autism. I hope that the people I interviewed may start more conversations and spread the word about autism.
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