| Overview | 1. Introduction | 2. Diagnostic Fog | 3. Sensory Processing as Key | 4. Emergent Patterns | 5. Research & Therapy | 6. New Model | 7. Conclusion |
From the preceding considerations, a simple yet far-reaching model emerges:
Autistic behavior is not the result of a single disorder, but the outcome of a system in which multiple dimensions interact.
These dimensions vary individually and interact with each other – yet can still produce typical patterns that we currently group under the label “autism.”
| Dimension | Function |
|---|---|
| 1. Sensory Profile | Which stimuli are amplified or diminished? |
| 2. Neurochemistry/Hormones | How is sensory information modulated internally? |
| 3. Environment & Socialization | Which experiences and contexts shape behavior? |
| 4. Cognitive Resources | How is sensory processing intellectually managed? |
| 5. Coping Strategies | Which patterns have proven effective? |
Such a framework not only allows for more differentiated diagnostics but also tailored support that is aligned with actual needs.
At the same time, this model breaks with the illusion that autism is a fixed entity – and opens our perspective to what is actually happening: a highly complex form of adaptation to a world that is not designed for a particular way of perception.
| Back to Chapter 5: Implications for Research and Therapy | Forward to Chapter 7: Conclusion - Invitation to a New Perspective |