Autism and Asperger's Syndrome

People with what is known as classic autism have very noticeable difficulties with speech, understanding and behaviour. They may have learning disabilities which mean they are not able to live independently or care for themselves. They will need support with learning and most aspects of daily life. But they can also be very strong in certain areas such as music, art or mathematics and this can be very positive.

Others, who might be diagnosed with High Functioning Autism, or Asperger's syndrome, may have very sophisticated language and reasoning skills, and be of average or above average intelligence. However they can find it hard to negotiate the ins and outs of normal life, especially social situations like friendships or school. They may have a very literal understanding of language and miss out on subtleties in social situations. People with Asperger's syndrome may be diagnosed later than those with classic autism. They may be thought of as odd, quirky or difficult because people do not understand the way they are thinking or what is causing the behaviour.

People with autism and Asperger's syndrome often have sensory difficulties and may be under-or over-sensitive to noises, smells, taste, touch or visual effects. They may find the world overwhelming and often need to have fixed routines to provide a feeling of safety. Change can be hard to cope with and they may feel anxious a lot of the time. Many people with autism or Asperger's syndrome have a narrow range of interests and they can be very good at focusing on their specialist subject, and have an excellent memory for facts and figures.

Other symptoms of autism and Asperger's syndrome include repetitive movements such as spinning objects, hand flapping, or rocking, and making noises such as humming, which can help the person cope if they are anxious or over-stimulated.

People with autism and Asperger's syndrome may need extra help around their emotions and their mental health. Their experiences of feeling different and their struggles to understand the world and 'fit in' (especially if others do not understand their condition) can mean they are more likely to feel worried, angry, frustrated or depressed. Unfortunately they can be vulnerable to bullying and this can cause low self-esteem. They may need emotions and feelings to be explained in a sensitive and clear way so that they understand what they and others are feeling. In addition, the anxiety that is often a part of autism needs to be recognised and understood so that the person can be supported.

Signs and Symptoms of ASD

People with ASD have difficulty with social communication and interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. The list below gives some examples of the types of behaviours that are seen in people diagnosed with ASD. Not all people with ASD will show all behaviours, but most will show several.

Social communication / interaction behaviours may include:

• Making little or inconsistent eye contact
• Tending not to look at or listen to people
• Rarely sharing enjoyment of objects or activities by pointing or showing things to others
• Failing to, or being slow to, respond to someone calling their name or to other verbal attempts to gain attention
• Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversation
• Often talking at length about a favorite subject without noticing that others are not interested or without giving others a chance to respond
• Having facial expressions, movements, and gestures that do not match what is being said
• Having an unusual tone of voice that may sound sing-song or flat and robot-like
• Having trouble understanding another person’s point of view or being unable to predict or understand other people’s actions

Restrictive / repetitive behaviours may include:

• Repeating certain behaviors or having unusual behaviors. For example, repeating words or phrases, a behavior called echolalia
• Having a lasting intense interest in certain topics, such as numbers, details, or facts
• Having overly focused interests, such as with moving objects or parts of objects
• Getting upset by slight changes in a routine
• Being more or less sensitive than other people to sensory input, such as light, noise, clothing, or temperature
• People with ASD may also experience sleep problems and irritability.

Although people with ASD experience many challenges, they may also have many strengths, including:

• Being able to learn things in detail and remember information for long periods of time
• Being strong visual and auditory learners
• Excelling in math, science, music, or art