Conveying Autism

<This topic will be expanded on!>

Autism spectrum disorder, is a condition that largely affects an individuals social interaction. It's really important that you do not misrepresent this disorder. In children with ASD (Autism spectrum disorder) the symptoms are present before they're three years old. Often though it can be missed and they can be diagnoses afterwards. There is currently no cure for ASD, however speech and language therapy is possible.

Generally people with ASD suffer problems with social interaction and communication. Early in infancy, children with ASD /might/ not use many vocal sounds. As they grow older, children with AD might have problems using nonverbal behaviours to interact with other children/people. For example, they might not make eye contact, use many facial expressions, body language and gestures.

Children with ASD may lack awareness or interest in other children. They tend to repeat words or phrases spoken by others, without even formulating their own form of language. Some children will not demonstrate particularly imaginative play, or others can repeat the same type of play exactly the same again and again. Some children with ASD will stick to the same routine. Changes in the routine forced onto them might trigger violent or verbal trantrums. Other times the individual with ASD might completely shut down so to speak. Children that are excited might flap their hand or twist and flick their fingers. Or they can engage in repetitive activities.

As an adult, some people with ASD will find working incredibly difficult to bare. This being that they might find a working environment too noisy, and they might simply find the travel to work very stressful due to large crowds. Changes in their routes or routines can upset the individuals also. That being said, in the right job and with the right support, they have a great deal to offer their work. Being incredibly accurate, reliable and with good eyes for detail often.

Symptoms:
Main features of ASD: Problems with communication and social interaction.

Young children

• Delayed speech development (not being able to speak 10 words by age of 2).
• Frequent repetition of set words and phrases.
• Speech that sounds monotonous/flat.
• Preferring to communicate using single words, despite being able to speak in sentences.
• Not responding to the individuals name being called.
• Rejecting cuddles initiated by parent/carer.
• Reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something.
• Not being aware of other people's personal space.
• No interest or very little interest in interacting with others, including those of the same age (as children).
• Not enjoying situations such as birthday parties or gatherings that invoke social interaction.
• Independent play/activites.
• Rarely use gestures or facial expressions when communicating.
• Avoiding eye contact.
• Repetitive movements like flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, flicking fingers.
• Playing with toys repetitively and unimaginatively. For example lining them all up, disrupting it, then lining up again in same way.
• Preferring a routine and becoming strongly upset when there are changes in the routine.
• Having a strong like/dislike of certain foods due to their colour or texture.

Children and older

• Preferring to avoid using spoken language.
• Their way of speaking sounds very monotonous or flat.
• They might speak in pre-learned phrases rather than putting together their own words to form brand new sentences.
• They talk /at/ people instead of having a two way conversation.
• Taking what is said by people's speech literally. Unable to understand sarcasm, metaphors or figures of speech.
• Reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone.
• Not being aware of other people's personal space. Being intolerant of people entering their personal space.
• Little interest in interactions with others. Exceptions being a few close friends.
• Not understanding how people normally interact socially. For example saying hello or goodbye.
• Not being able to change the tone of their voice to different social situations.
• Not enjoying some situations/activities others their age enjoy.
• Rarely using facial expressions or gestures in communication.
• Not using eye contact.
• Repetitive movements.
• Playing repetitively, or engaging in activities repetitively.
• Developing highly specific interest in an area.
• Preferring a routine.

References:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Autistic-spectrum-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx