ABOUT A.S.D.
Autism spectrum disorder
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting how individuals perceive and understand the world around them.
Autism is described by The National Autistic Society as a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person's social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation.
Autism can be mild, moderate or severe. It is not a learning disability, but around half of autistic individuals will have learning disabilities, and this will affect the level of support they will need throughout their lives.
It is important to understand the unique challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum and to respect their individual preferences regarding terminology. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Each child within the autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behaviour and level of severity — from low functioning to high functioning.
UNDERSTANDING AUTISM
Autism is a spectrum that affects individuals in different ways. The term ASD describes a group of conditions that share standard features, The symptoms and their severity vary from one person to the other; the individuals strengths and challenges are what will determine the level of support they will need.
SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING
A child or adult within the autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social understanding, signs of this include:
-Being unaware of others’ personal space.
-Being unusually intolerant of people entering their own personal space.
-Little interest in interacting with other people.
-Not enjoying situations that most children like, such as parties
-Reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone.
-Rarely using gestures such as pointing.
-Raving few close friends, despite attempts to form friendships.
-Preferring to play with objects rather than people.
Difficulty with social reciprocity:
Autistic individuals may struggle with reciprocal social interactions, such as taking turns, sharing, and understanding social norms, cues and expectations of others.
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SENSORY SENSITIVITIES
Sensory sensitivity is common among children with autism. They may have intense reactions to sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds, textures, or even certain tastes and smells. This heightened sensitivity can cause sensory overload, which might look like anxiety, agitation, or “fight-or-flight” behaviours (e.g., running away or shutting down). These reactions are the child’s way of trying to cope with or escape what feels overwhelming or even painful.
Sensitivities can manifest in various ways, such as hyper-sensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hypo-sensitivity (under-responsiveness).
Communication and Interaction
A child or adult within the autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, signs of this include:
-Failure to respond to their name or appears not to hear you at times.
-Resisting cuddling and holding and seems to prefer playing alone.
-Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression.
-Doesn't speak, has delayed speech, or loses previous ability to say words or sentences.
-Find difficulty initiating a conversation or keeping both ways of communication.
-Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech.
-Repeats words or phrases but doesn't understand how to use them.
-Doesn't appear to understand simple questions or directions.
-Find difficulty in expressing their feelings and emotions.
-Doesn't point at or bring objects to share interest.
-Social interaction can be passive, aggressive, or disruptive.
-Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, such as interpreting other people's facial expressions or tone of voice.
Social Interaction Challenges
It can be especially difficult for children with autism to interpret social cues, such as tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language, leading to insecurity or anxiety in social situations. Because they don’t always understand social expectations, children with autism might respond in ways that appear “out of place” to others, which can affect how they connect with peers or adults.
How Autism Can Impact Behavioural and Emotional Issues in Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects how individuals perceive, process, and interact with the world around them. Children on the autism spectrum often face specific emotional and behavioural challenges, for example:
Challenges in Communication and Emotional Expression
Many children with autism struggle to communicate their thoughts, emotions, and needs effectively. Autism often impacts language and communication skills, which are essential for expressing and managing emotions. When children feel unable to communicate clearly, they may experience frustration, leading to challenging behaviours like meltdowns, withdrawal, or anxiety.
Difficulty Regulating Emotions
Emotional regulation can be challenging for children with autism. Some may transition quickly from calm to frustrated, and it can be hard for them to self-soothe. Neurological differences make it harder for them to develop natural ways of self-regulating. Without effective strategies, emotions like frustration or anxiety can feel overwhelming, which may result in outbursts, aggression, or withdrawal.
Resistance to Change
Many children with autism find comfort in routines and struggle with changes. Transitions, whether minor or major, can be highly stressful and might trigger anxiety or even behavioural outbursts as they seek control or stability. This resistance isn’t due to stubbornness; rather, it’s a way of coping with anxiety about the unpredictable.
Development of Self-Soothing Behaviours
To cope with stress or sensory overload, some children with autism may engage in repetitive behaviours or “stimming” (such as rocking, hand-flapping, or repeating sounds). Although these behaviours can be calming for the child, they might seem unusual to others and, in some cases, interfere with daily activities and social interactions.
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