AUTISM IN A NUTSHELLL

WHAT IS AUTISM.

• Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world, communicate and interact with others.
• Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people.
• If you are autistic, you are autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’.

AUTISM - A SPECTRUM CONDITION

• There is no typical person with autism; the way in which it affects individuals is diverse and thus the reference to a spectrum
• Some autistic people also have learning disabilities, mental health issues or other conditions, meaning people need different levels of support.

AUTISM - A SPECTRUM CONDITION

• All people with autism learn and develop and with the right sort of support, all can be helped to live a more fulfilling life of their own choosing.

THE TRIAD OF IMPAIRMENT

DIFFICULTY WITH SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

DIFFICULTIES MAY INCLUDE:

• Processing language and interpreting facial expressions, body language or tone of voice
• Understanding figures of speech or metaphors. A literal under means they will think you mean exactly what you say. Sarcasm and humour are often difficult for them to understand
• Following long or complicated sentences, only being able to follow one simple instruction at a time.
• Explaining how they feel.

DIFFICULTY WITH SOCIAL INTERACTION

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• Autistic students encounter difficulties in the development of appropriate social behaviours and their understanding of interaction.
• Most of us learn the rules of being together without needing them to be taught to us. We want to ‘fit in’.
• An autistic person may appear withdrawn, aloof or uninterested in the people they meet.
• They may want to make friends but lack the skills needed and are awkward or clumsy in social situations.

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOTICE:

• They avoid eye contact
• Standing too close when talking to someone - unaware of personal space
• Not realising when the person they are talking to is cross, tired or bored
• Laughing or speaking at inappropriate times
• Showing no interest in other people’s opinions or interests
• These can be taken as a sign of rudeness which further affects their ability to socialise

DIFFICULTY WITH SOCIAL IMAGINATION

PEOPLE WITH AUTISM MAY FIND IT HARD TO:

• Imagine the world from someone else’s perspective and understand that other people may have different thoughts and feelings from their own
• Interpret other people’s thoughts, feelings and actions.
• Predict what will happen next, or what could happen next
• Understand the concept of danger, for example that running on to a busy road poses a threat to them

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• Engage in interpersonal or imaginative play, unless it is something that they have copied, in which case they often pursue this rigidly and repetitively
• Prepare for change and plan for the future
• Cope in new or unfamiliar situations

SENSORY SENSITIVITIES

Spend a few moments thinking about the sensory sensitivities you may have

Many people on the autistic spectrum may have difficulty processing everyday sensory information. Any of the senses may be over or under sensitive, or both, at different times. These sensory differences can affect behaviour, and can have a profound effect on a person’s life.

A person who struggles to deal with everyday sensory information can experience sensory overload, or information overload. Too much information can cause stress, anxiety, and possibly physical pain. This can result in withdrawal, challenging behaviour or meltdown.

MIND READING - THEORY OF MIND

• ‘Neurotypicals’ have an understanding that other people have feelings, desires and beliefs that are ‘inside their heads’ - a perspective. In addition they understand that other people do not automatically know what is in their own heads and that a process of communication is needed to share these.
• It is a developed ‘theory of mind’ that enables the understanding that not everyone shares the same perspective at any given time.

MIND BLINDNESS

• Mind-blindness can be described as the inability to develop a awareness of what is in the mind of another human.
• It is the opposite to empathy and can leave the individual appearing unaware of the feelings of others and the impact their behaviour may be having on others.
• Understanding mind-blindness can help us to appreciate the difficulties those with autism have in communication and provide some reasons for their seemingly inappropriate behaviours.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Use visual prompts
• Break tasks down into one or two simple instructions and give clear instructions in language they will understand
• Address the person by their name and if possible have eye contact
• Allow time for processing and let them know that you will be asking them for the instructions

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• Ask them to repeat back to you the first instruction so you know that it has been understood
• Remember to sequence work - firstly we will spend 5 minutes ... then/next we will spend 3 minutes... after that you will write down ... once this is done we will ... lastly/ before you leave ...
• Try to establish a regular routine with the student you support.

STRENGTHS OF AUTISM

• An unusually good memory for facts.
• A focus on a narrow range of interests, meaning that they are well informed on some topics
• A determination to complete tasks to a high standard
• Honesty, even at the cost of social popularity
• Highly original thinking skills
• Reliability
• Lack of embarrassment in social situations

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• Skills in a particular area e.g. ICT, maths, science, technology, history
• High-level language skills, good vocabulary
• Complying with rules, e.g. punctuality, following routines

POSITIVE ENTRAPMENT ACTIVITIES