AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
Here’s an overview of the condition
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, the core features of which are persistent difficulties in social interaction and communication and the presence of stereotypic (rigid and repetitive) behaviours, resistance to change or restricted interests. The way that autism is expressed in individual people differs at different stages of life, in response to interventions, and with the presence of coexisting conditions such as learning disabilities (also called ‘intellectual disabilities’). Autistic people also commonly experience difficulty with cognitive and behavioural flexibility, altered sensory sensitivity, sensory processing difficulties and emotional regulation difficulties. The features of autism may range from mild to severe and may fluctuate over time or in response to changes in circumstances.
Organisations who can help
https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/
https://forum.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/ direct link to their online forum and community
What are the common traits in children
Signs of autism in young children include:
– not responding to their name
– avoiding eye contact
– not smiling when you smile at them
– getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound
– repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body
– not talking as much as other children
– not doing as much pretend play
– repeating the same phrases
Signs of autism in older children include:
– not seeming to understand what others are thinking or feeling
– unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking ‘at’ others
– liking a strict daily routine and getting very upset if it changes
– having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
– getting very upset if you ask them to do something
– finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on their own
– taking things very literally – for example, they may not understand phrases like “break a leg”
– finding it hard to say how they feel
What are the common traits in adults
Common signs of autism in adults include:
– finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling
– getting very anxious about social situations
– finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
– seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to
– finding it hard to say how you feel
– taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like “break a leg”
– having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes
Other signs of autism
– not understanding social “rules”, such as not talking over people
– avoiding eye contact
– getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
– noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not
– having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
– liking to plan things carefully before doing them
How is it diagnosed
Diagnostic clinical team meaning multiple heath care professions work together.
Including but not limited to psychiatrist, paediatrician, occupational therapist, psychotherapist.
At what age can it be diagnosed
Any age some as young as 2
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pre-diagnosis/parents-and-carers
How can it be managed
Children:
There is no known specific medical intervention for autism. However, there have been many useful approaches and programs developed to help the child with specific difficulties which may be impacting on their quality of life or which may be in the way of their optimal development.
Autistic children can be very effectively supported through people around them having an increased understanding of their condition, their support needs and their unique profile of their strengths and difficulties.
Families of children with more severe difficulties may also require some practical support or access to specialist resources to help them to support the child.
There is no ‘best’ intervention for children with autism. An intervention that helps one child may not be suitable for another, so parents should always seek professional guidance.
Parents are advised to be cautious about any treatment that claims to ‘cure’ autism.
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/autism/
Adults:
There is no one standard treatment for Autism, however, appropriate specialist education, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and behavioural management strategies all play an important role in supporting individuals with Autism.
Medication may sometimes be recommended for someone with Autism, for example to help to control any seizures or depression.
Structured, behaviour-based programmes are common amongst individuals with autism. These generally include:
– Clear instructions provided to the child
– Prompting to perform specific behaviours
– Immediate praise/rewards if the specific behaviours are performed
– Gradual increase in the complexity of the reinforced behaviours
– Clear distinctions of when and when not to perform different behaviours