About Autism

Leo Kanner (1943) first used the word autism to describe individuals who had become known to him through their need for psychiatric care.  The overall characteristic common to all the individuals he studied was their lack of affective contact with others and their self-absorption and solitude.  Kanner’s  (1943) original descriptions have been confirmed over and over.   

Asperger's Syndrome was named after an Austrian paediatrician, Hans Asperger, in 1944.  Due to an insight into their difficulties individuals with Asperger's Syndrome can be at a higher risk of developing secondary mood conditions.  They can also experience great difficulty in conceptualising and managing their emotions.  Detailed assessment is required into the thinking style of each individual in order to develop the correct intervention or strategies in order that the individual can learn to self manage and therefore develop independence.  The key is in enabling the individual to understand themselves and how their process of thinking affects their behaviour and emotions.  Many girls/women are never referred for diagnosis as they seem to be able to mask the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome.  Their interests often do not highlight them as being different but it is the intensity of these interests that distinguishes them.

Research and continued understanding of autism has identified the areas where significant differences are present in order for a diagnosis to be made. These are communication, social interaction and rigidity of thought and behaviour.  Sensory integration difficulties are also often present.

Communication

People with autism can experience difficulties with communication, both verbal and non-verbal. These difficulties in communication can range from profound comprehension problems and lack of speech to subtle pragmatic or functional use of language difficulties such as a failure to understand sarcasm or use of metaphor, (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, 2007). The communication style of individuals with autism can be one sided with the individual with autism talking to rather than with another person.  The grammar and speech of language can appear to be competent but for some individuals no understanding of communicational intent develops. 

There are many forms of support to address these difficulties including the use of visual supports to provide information and structure and social skills groups where role play can be used to allow the individual to 'practice' responses to more complex social situations. It is important that the specific communication needs of each individual is assessed in order that the correct supports are identified.

Social Interaction

People with autism can experience difficulties understanding and interpreting social behaviour which can then affect their ability to interact with people.  It can also be difficult for them to understand the social rules of life.  Social interaction differences can range from an individual being socially withdrawn and isolated through to wanting to but being unsure of how to initiate a social interaction. 

These differences can be addressed in many different ways.  For the isolated individual joining them at their level and showing them they have an impact on others is very effective.  Using the principles of intensive interaction is extremely effective for these individuals.  For the difficulties experienced in more complex social contexts interventions such as modelling within the situation can be very effective for those on the spectrum who are accessing social situations and want to feel part of that social setting and confident within themselves.

Flexibility of Thought and Behaviour

There are many different ways the difficulties in flexibility in thought and behaviour can be expressed in people with autism.  For some individuals this is displayed through engaging in rigid or narrow play routines and showing an unwillingness to share the play experience with others.  For others it could be through experiencing difficulties in extracting social meanings from situations and adapting behaviour or conversation accordingly. One common difficulty is in the area of managing and coping with change. Supports and interventions can be identified to enable the individual to understand and manage the changes by presenting the information in a way that the individual is familiar with, e.g. photographically, written word or verbally.  Predictability and routines can also support their understanding of daily events.