Rethinking autism: implications of sensory and movement differences for understanding and support

For decades autism has been defined as a triad of deficits in social interaction, communication and imaginative play. Though there is now broad acknowledgement of the neurological basis of autism, there is little attention paid to the contribution of such neurological differences to a person's development and functioning. Communication, relationship and participation require neurological systems to coordinate and synchronize the organization and regulation of sensory information and movement. Developmental differences in these abilities are likely to result in differences in the way a person behaves and expresses intention and meaning. The present paper shares our emerging awareness that people may struggle with difficulties that are not immediately evident to an outsider. This paper explores the symptoms of sensory and movement differences and the possible implications for autistic people. It provides a review of the history and literature that describes the neurological basis for many of the so-called behavioral differences that people experience. The paper emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that a social interpretation of differences in behavior, relationship and communication can lead us far away from the lived experience of individuals with the autism label and those who support them. We suggest alternative ways to address the challenges faced by people with autism