When we think of autism, and its related characterists, it is often the dyfunction in social behavior of the autistic individual that many people describe as the key defining feature of autism to them.
Social development in autistic individuals does not always develop in step with intellectual development. While intellectual development may reach normal or even above normal range, it is not uncommon to see social development lagging. The child is sometimes referred to as being "socially immature." For example, one 17 year old girl with autism has an IQ of 107 but the social skills of a 12-13 year old.
In addition to the three types of social dyfunction listed below, the social awareness of autistic individuals may also be dysfunctional.
- What this means is:
- They may not understand that other people have their own plans, points of view, thoughts and feelings.
- Thus, they may not be able to predict what others will do or say in different social situations.
- This has been termed as a lack of 'theory of mind.'
The problems associated with social dyfunction can be grouped into three categories: socially avoidant, socially indifferent, and socially awkward.
- Socially avoidant:
- Avoids almost all forms of social interaction with others.
- They will often tantrum or run away when someone tries to interact with him.
- The autistic individual is fearful or doesn't like people.
- The reaction is because the individual is hypersensitive to some kind of sensory stimuli.
- Example:
My son used to scream in terror when in crowds of people. Thinking this was a fear of strangers, I later found out that it was the sounds of all those people talking and moving around him that was upsetting him. If they were quiet and still, he was usually calm.
- Example:
- Socially indifferent:
- Appears to be the most common in autistic individuals.
- They don't seek social interaction with others unless they want or need something.
- They do not necessarily mind being with people, but they don't mind being by themselves either.
- Autistic individuals don't get 'biochemical' pleasure from being with people.
- Professor Jaak Panksepp, Bowling Green State University in Ohio, has shown through research that beta-endorphins are released in animals during social behavior.
- There is evidence that the beta-endorphin levels in autistic individuals are elevated.
- They don't need to rely on biochemical reaction that social interaction produces for they to experience pleasure.
- Socially awkward:
- These autistic individuals want to have friends, and try to have them, but they cannot keep these friends.
- Most common among those with Asperger Syndrome.
- May be the lack of reciprocity in their interactions, because their conversations usually center on themselves.
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