Basic Guidelines for Parents of Children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Information sheet

The National Autistic Society produces fact sheets on a wide variety of topics.

.These are available from our Autism Helpline and on our website

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It is not always easy for parents or other family members to take in all that a diagnosis of autism or Asperger Syndrome entails. It is with this in mind that these guidelines have been written: they will give you a brief overview of the Autistic Spectrum of Disorders and some tips on communicating with your child and managing his or her behaviour. For more in-depth information please consult the books listed in the recommended reading sections or call the AS Autism '!elpline on "#$% "&" $""$

The Triad of Impairments

'he Autistic Spectrum of Disorders (ASD) is a huge continuum and children may present their difficulties very differently. !owever* to have a diagnosis of autism all children will have difficulties in three main areas known as the +triad of impairments,. 'hese areas are as follows

Communication

'he impairment of communication may show itself in some or all of the following ways

Delayed or complete lack of development of spoken language* and no alternative modes of communication automatically developed to compensate for this In those with speech there may be an impaired ability to initiate or sustain a two-way conversation. -ou can often get the impression that the child is talking at you rather than to you. Stereo typed and repetitive use of language* often centring around child,s special interest .hild may be able to ask for their own needs but does not understand that words can be used to convey emotional and social information /oor comprehension of non verbal communication 0iteral understanding of words* no understanding of irony or sarcasm /edantic speech /ro noun reversal (for e1ample getting terms such as +me, +you, and +them, confused) 2ake factual comments often irrelevant to situation Impairment affects both e1pressive and receptive language /oor control of pitch* tone and intonation

Social Interaction
'he impairment of social interaction may show itself in some or all of the following ways

Impaired use and understanding of non verbal behaviours* for e1ample eye contact* facial e1pression and body postures Difficulty developing peer relationships 0ack of spontaneous seeking to share en3oyment* for e1ample pointing 0ack of social or emotional reciprocity Difficulty relating to others Any interaction is often very one sided

'here appear to be three main types of impairment in social interaction in #children with autism. 'hese are as follows

'he +aloof, child who may appear rather withdrawn and indifferent to other people* and may be difficult to comfort when distressed 'he +passive, child who will not make spontaneous approaches to other people but will accept contact if initiated by others. 'he +active but odd, child who will approach other children spontaneously but this will often be in an odd or inappropriate manner. 4ften they may pay little attention to the responses of those they have approached.

'.hildren can move from one interaction style to another as they develop

Social ima(ination
'he impairment of social imagination may show itself in some or all of the 'following ways

Inability to play imaginatively with ob3ects* toys or other people 'endency to select for attention minor aspects of things in the environment instead of an understanding of the whole picture. For e1ample focusing on the wheel of a car instead of the whole vehicle. Difficulty empathising with other people or seeing things from another point of view

5epetitive and stereotyped activities. 'hese can take many different forms* from a very simple repetitive body movement* for e1ample flicking fingers* to an intense attachment to certain ob3ects* to a fascination with certain topics such as Star 6ars* train time tables* dates and astronomy. .hildren with autism can be e1tremely rigid in their thinking and can have great difficulty coping with any change. 'hey may insist on certain things being the same* for e1ample people sitting in the same places at the dinner table or in the car* or going the same route to places.

+ther Associated ,ifficulties often seen in Children *ith Autism

-otor Coordination
Some children with autism have difficulties with motor imitation and control. For e1ample* they may have an odd posture or springy tiptoe walk. Some children may appear clumsy and have difficulty differentiating between left and right and 'up and down