that others wear the same clothes, insisting on the same patterned way of reading a book or other activities, and going to school using the same route. One possible reason for insistence on sameness may be the persons inability to understand and cope with new situations and a need to stay in their comfort zone. People with autism may have abnormal responses to sounds, odors, touch or other sensory stimulation. Sean Barron recounts his problem with specific foods as a child, I liked to eat things that were bland and uncomplicated. My favorites were cereal-dry with no milk-bread, pancakes, and potatoes. Because these were the foods I ate early in life, I found them to be soothing. I didnt want to try anything new. I was supersensitive to the texture of food, and I had to touch everything with my fingers to see how it felt before I could put it in my mouth. I hated it when food had things mixed with it, like noodles and vegetables or bread with fillings in it to make a sandwich. I could never put any of it in my mouth because I knew I would get violently sick (Barron, 96). Many students with autism respond to stress with stereotypic behaviors. They complete the action again and again. For example, they may rock rapidly in their chairs, spin an object repeatedly, or twirl themselves or their arms. Think of the components of autism- social phobia, compulsive behavior, trouble communicating- as the colors on a childs paint palette. Different mixes of red, blue, and yellow produce a rainbow of hues. Similarly, different combinations of autisms components produce the array of conditions known by the umbrella term autism (Springen). Autism is often referred to as a spectrum disorder because it ranges in severity across a wide range of conditions. Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Therefore, there is no standard type or typical per...
