AUTISM
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex disorder that affects the way a person communicates, forms relationships with others and is characterised by the presence of repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviours and interests. Autism is a Spectrum Disorder varying in symptoms, severity and impact from individual to individual. Autism can affect individuals of all levels of ability. The exact cause of autism is uncertain, which makes finding effective interventions difficult.
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome is not ‘mild’ autism. It includes individuals with the same characteristics of autism to a greater or lesser extent, but are of average or above average intelligence. Many go through life building up their own informal support systems whilst others may require more specialised support.
Characteristics
The onset of symptoms of Autism is typically before the first 3 years of a child’s life. Amongst researchers, it is generally agreed that there are three main characteristics of autism and anyone who has received a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder will exhibit some or all these characteristics to some extent.
Social Interaction
Impaired ability to engage in social relationships
Lack of ability to respond to name, affection and avoidance of eye contact
Lack of empathy and inability to take on another’s perspective
Impaired ability to recognise, process and appreciate the feelings and emotions of others
Crave predictability and function better in highly structured environments
Do not respond well to change and transition
Unaware of social rules and so lack social tact
Social Imagination
Find it hard to separate fantasy from reality
May engage in repetitive, stereotyped body movements (hand flicking, spinning, rocking)
Need for sameness might extend to food (dislike certain colours or textures)
Narrow range of interests
Intrigued with 1 or 2 objects and have extensive knowledge about it
Contingency planning poses a problem
Social Communication
Requires support in using and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication (eye contact, facial expressions, smiling) and require additional time to process information
Unlikely to initiate or sustain conversations
Impaired development of spoken language
Stereotypical and repetitive use of language
Abnormalities in pitch, stress, rate, rhythm and tone of speech
Literal understanding of speech
Other Potential Issues
Hypersensitivity to stimulation (noise, touch, smell)
Poor organisational skills
Poor motor control
Problems with handwriting
Disrupted sleeping patterns
Strengths and Abilities
Often have good memories
Do not generally have the ability to lie or deceive
Refreshingly frank view of the world
Function well in a structured environment
Adapt well to routines
Able to work well on their own
Full range of strengths and weaknesses in personalities
Very dependable
Make a positive contribution to family, work and daily life
May have a encyclopaedic knowledge of subject matters
Diagnosis
As Autism is a developmental disorder and not a mental disorder there is no medication, no blood test, no brain scan and no biological test which can be used to identify or recognise the condition in order to diagnose. Therefore, it is important to look at the behaviour of the individual and how they process information in the brain.
If a parent or carer has concerns regarding their child’s behaviour, it is recommended to keep a diary of the behaviour, to note anything that may appear unusual and to make an appointment with the GP. A formal diagnosis may involve a multi-disciplinary team made up of health professionals and different doctors.
Gaining a diagnosis as an adult isn’t easy; however, the official route is through the GP and subsequently a referral to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. It is important to make an appointment to specifically discuss this and to describe the characteristics clearly.
A diagnosis describes the behaviours which are happening but does not explain why they are happening. However, a diagnosis can help an individual to plan ahead, tell people what type of behaviours to expect and it may open doors to autistic-specific services.
Helpful Strategies
It is important to organise the environment to suit the individual’s needs and characteristics. The aim is not to change the challenging behaviour but to adapt the environment which leads to the challenging behaviour.
The following approaches can be useful:
Communicate at a level that is understood, don’t overload
Be clear and precise in your instructions, be aware of literal understanding
Give time for processing information
Organise environments: define areas and have clear boundaries
A structured environment which includes strategies for generalisation of learning
Block out unnecessary distractions
Encourage a positive, consistent routine
Predictability and routine to help child transfer from one act to another
Give warning about changes in advance
Focus on specific skills that the child needs to learn
Family involvement is central to overall programme
Emphasis on promoting communication
Emphasis on visual approach
Teaching programmes should adapt to the family lifestyle if stress in families is to be reduced
It is important to understand as much as you can about Autism. According to researchers, early identification followed by consistent intervention is important for positive changes in the development of the individual with Autism. Successful intervention requires a multitude of professionals and agencies working together with the family at the core.
Useful Tips:
There are lots of interventions available so seek as much information about each one.
Do not rush judgement on which approach to go with
Different approaches have been known to work for some people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, it may not work for others
Any intervention should be positive, build on people’s strengths, help to discover their potential and provide opportunity
Be wary of any intervention that claims to ‘cure’ autism or is the only and best method to use
Employment tips for interviewing People with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome
Interviewing an individual with Autistic Spectrum Disorder may be more successful if the following adjustments are made:
Ask closed questions and avoid open answers
Ask candidates questions based on real or past experiences
Avoid hypothetical or abstract questions and try and relate questions to past experience for a more productive answer
Candidates may require prompting in order to give all the relevant information
Be aware that individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder may interpret language literally
Be aware that eye contact may be fleeting or prolonged depending on the individual as it can be painful for the candidate to force direct eye contact
Be aware the candidate may have difficulty interpreting non-verbal communication such as body language and facial expressions
Support
There has been an emergence of a variety of Autism Organisations in Northern Ireland over the years.
Aspire (Asperger Syndrome Assoc of Ireland)
www.aspire-irl.org
Autism NI & Autism Initiative
www.autisminitiative.org
Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Saintfield Road
Belfast
BT8 8BH
02890 791875
www.autism.org
CEAT (Centre for early Autism Treatment)
Develops and delivers a range of specialised individualised and systematic ABA interventions for families in NI.
Centre for Early Autism Treatment
60 Belmont Ave
Belfast
BT4 3DE
02890 659678
www.ceatni.org
Disability Action
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road west
Belfast
BT3 9ED
02890 297880
www.disabilityaction.org
Irish Society for Autism
www.iol.ie/~isa1/
MENCAP
Segal House
4 Annadale Ave
Belfast
BT7 3JH
Belfast: 02890 691351
Ballymoney: 02827 666666
Armagh: 02837 528767
Derry: 02871 262227
www.mencap.org.uk
Middletown Centre for Autism
35 Church Street
Middletown
Co Armagh
BT60 4HZ
O2837 515750
National Autistic Society Northern Ireland
59 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 6SA
02890 236235
www.nas.org.uk
Orchardville Society
Voluntary organisation which assists people with learning disabilities realise their full potential and ambitions. This organisation provides support to those with Autism who are in training and employment.
Lagan Village Tower
144-152 Ravenhill Road
Belfast
BT6 8ED
02890 732326
www.orchardville.com
PEAT (Parents Education as Autism Therapists) Provides specialist ABA intervention, support and advice to parents.
Simple Steps (PEAT)
Multimedia Parent Support Package which is designed and produced by parents and professionals to inform others about ASD and ABA.
PEAT
Upper Springfield Development Co.Ltd
Belfast
Co. Antrim
BT12 7FP
02890 324882
www.peatni.org