Autism is a neurological change in some humans, whereby they think differently to the larger population. Imagine being removed from your normal way of life (from your family or your partner) and, from tomorrow, you’re going to take up residence with another family in a foreign country, where they speak a different language and the culture is completely different to yours (let’s go to Mexico, Iceland, or China). We can agree that all people need the same things from life but, in your new life, the culture is so different that you will be out of your depth in most things you do, as there’s not enough information available for you to manoeuvre in this ‘new culture’. This can give you a sort of understanding of what it’s like to be autistic and to be ‘neurodivergent / on the (autistic) spectrum’.
Asperger’s Syndrome
Being unable to read the larger neurotypical population (those not on the spectrum) means that social interaction becomes extremely difficult and so the Asperger’s individual (the aspie), who is not so socially driven, may in some way isolate him-/herself from the goings on of the moment. This person’s behaviour may appear different to others present, as the aspie tries to fit the bill in a neurotypical environment. When overloaded by lots of people, they isolate themselves and can appear insensitive.
The aspie may have difficulty understanding other people’s feelings and intentions and, being unable to express one’s own feelings may appear to be insensitive, even though this is not the intention.
Whilst all these points give you a feeling and understanding for what it must be like to feel different to others in a social environment, it is true to say that, when you have met a person with Asperger’s, you have met one person with Asperger’s, as each individual is indeed individual.
Neurodiversity and Links with Addiction
Therapy Today Magazine- November 2023 – ‘Missed, Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed’.
I’d like to bring this amazingly informative article to people’s attention, as it shows that counsellors need to be aware of the ‘potential links between neurodivergence and substance abuse’. Cutting it down to a nutshell, it indicates that, for those experiencing ADHD, there is an underactivity of dopamine in the brain, the substance linked with reward mechanisms / feeling good. Turning to substance abuse provides that ‘high’ which neurotypical individuals capture via their natural bodily systems.
Knowing that someone who is trying to quash substance abuse may be potentially ‘on the spectrum’ holds a lot of weight on a successful route for a new future.
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