What's Normal About Autism?

• Author: SCHRADER, ROBIN
• Position: Care, analysis - Brief Article

DAYTON, OHIO--Imagine a 12-year-old boy who walks into restaurants only to flush their toilets. He likes movies but only watches a one-minute scene over and over and over. Before exiting a highway, his family must make sure he agrees with the route.

These are some of the daily activities of my brother, Chris, who was diagnosed with autism 10 years ago. He looks and seems perfectly normal, until you see him in action, and then people ask me what's wrong with him.

Doctors describe autism as a communication disability. Autistic people live in a world of their own. Chris has one-sided conversations, repeats words he likes, and calls tomatoes potatoes. He has routines and obsessions that, if broken, cause hysteria. He understands things in bits and pieces, not as whole concepts.

It's both my privilege and duty to be his best friend. When we have fun together, it's like I'm playing with a 4-year-old. He enjoys action figures, stuffed animals, and toy cars. His personal hobby is studying road maps and street signs. He could direct you to the nearest McDonald's from any location in our city. He puts that expertise to the test as he precisely places each miniature traffic light, store, and sign to resemble our neighborhood streets.

My part of our time together is to teach Chris how to play with toys the way most people do. He watches how I move his trucks, make car noises, and talk for the pretend drivers. Once he has the hang of what I do, he simply repeats my actions.

Unlike many autistic children, Chris has a positive attitude toward life. To me...