AUTISM SPECTRUM CONDITIONS
There are over 700,000 people in the UK with an autism spectrum disorder – that’s around one in a hundred people with autism spectrum disorder. They come from all nationalities, cultures, social backgrounds, religions and gender.
What to look for – The symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders.
Symptoms may become apparent during the first few years of life. In many cases the symptoms come to light once a child has started education.
Some have great difficulties in learning with varying levels of intelligence and I.Q levels.
In both adults and adolescents the signs vary greatly but there are some core identifiers.
Signs to look for:
Social difficulties:
- May prefer to be alone
- Lack of understanding others emotions
- May seem uninterested in others
- Resistance to being touched
- Unusual body language
- Lack of eye contact
Language and communication Difficulties:
- Facial expressions or tone of voice
- Find it hard understanding jokes and sarcasm
- Common phrases and sayings; an example might be the phrase ‘It’s cool’, which people often say when they think that something is good, but strictly speaking, means that it’s a bit cold.
- Unable to express themselves
- Unable to understand gestures, emotions, expressions
- Using odd phrases, making up words
Social Imagination Difficulties:
- Understand and 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
- Engage in imaginative play and activities: children with autism may enjoy some imaginative play but prefer to act out the same scenes each time
- Prepare for change and plan for the future
- Coping in new or unfamiliar situations can be tricky
How can I help?
There are a range of specialist education, therapeutic and behavioural interventions that can help with improving skills and development.
Often my intervention and therapy works in conjunction with other agencies and health professionals.
Get in touch by completing this form, emailing or calling Jane Hill, Secretary in confidence on 07549 397 635 to find out how my service can help.