Emotional Characteristics of Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder involving social, cognitive and emotional deficits in the brain. It can range in severity from mild to debilitating and includes a spectrum of related disorders like ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. Autistic people have difficulty processing emotion and may therefore display abnormal emotional reactions to various stimuli.

Anxiety and Fear

• Because of a heightened sensitivity to sound, touch and other sensory input, people with autism are more likely to display abnormal levels of fear toward things neurotypical people find non-threatening. The sound of a smoke alarm, for instance--a minor annoyance to most people--may cause an autistic child to cover his ears and cry or run away in fear.

  People with autism spectrum disorders are more likely to suffer from specific and social phobias than their neurotypical peers. According to Springerlink.com, autistic children are more likely to have medical and situation-based phobias than other similarly-aged subjects, and their phobias are more closely related to specific problem behaviors than those of neurotypical children.

Social Deficits

• One of the defining traits of autism is the failure to develop adequate social skills. This symptom appears to have roots in the parts of the brain responsible for emotion. According to Dawn Neumann, Ph.D, the inability to automatically comprehend another person's emotional state based on facial expressions, tone of voice and body language may contribute to the social deficits seen in autism, as can the shyness that often characterizes the disorder.

Emotional Instability

• Autistic people often show signs of emotional instability, such as unprovoked crying, temper tantrums and dramatic mood swings. These outbursts may be caused by the confusion of social situations or by sensory stimuli overwhelming the brain. Frequently, people with ASDs experience frustration with their inability to articulate feelings and desires, which may lead to meltdowns and unprovoked outbursts. Feelings of boredom and under-stimulation can also lead to emotional breakdowns in some instances.

Depression

• Depression is a common comorbid condition in people with autism. According to Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, autistic people are at a higher risk of depression and other mood disorders than the general population. Symptoms of depression include low energy, loss of interest in hobbies, feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem.

  Depression has both physiological and environmental factors. People with ASDs may experience depression as a result of rejection by their peers, failed attempts at friendships and the frustrations that come with communication and social difficulties.

Avoiding Negative Emotions

• Because autism can cause sensory overload, it's important to help affected people feel as though they have a sense of control over their immediate environment. Avoid situations where loud noises, strong smells and other potentially-overwhelming sensory stimuli are likely to be present, and practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing to deal with them when they occur.

  Encouraging healthy communication and teaching empathy can help autistic people better understand their own feelings and the emotions of others. Practice proper social behaviors and focus on building self esteem based on individual strengths and talents.