Learning Difficulties and Autism

I must admit, I am coming to you from the perspective of having a high functioning child on the spectrum.  I was about to say that he doesn’t have learning difficulties but I guess it’s exactly how you define them!

And there are many times that a child on the spectrum may seem to not be clever either because they are deemed to be on the spectrum or because they don’t talk.  But some people on the spectrum choose not to speak or wait until they are older to do so.

I was listening to something earlier today and they were doing something with learning difficulties and autism.  Now don’t get me wrong.  This is coming to the end of autism awareness and yes learning difficulties can be part of autism (or the person could be highly intelligent).  

What I think is important to point out is that autism is a SPECTRUM.  This means an autistic person can be from one end of the scale to another in every area autism impacts.

I believe that when autism is discussed that this should be pointed out.  A spectrum is NOT as simple as an illness can be.  And we know the brain patterns are changed in the person but it impacts different areas in their life.

If I knew nothing about autism, I think I would need to hear people saying time and again “If you have met one person with autism, you have  met one person with autism.”  Because, EVERYONE with autism is different.