Autism Awareness€¦ · Autism Awareness Making sense of the puzzle . Introduction The term Autism covers a vast range or spectrum of abilities and difficulties. Aims & Objectives

Autism Awareness

Making sense of the puzzle

www.dealwithautism.com

Introduction The term Autism covers a vast range or spectrum of abilities and difficulties.

Aims & Objectives

By the end of this presentation you should be able to:

§  Highlight the difficulties involved in diagnosis.

§  Look at the possible signs & symptoms.

§  Recognize challenging behaviors.

§  Identify possible risks.

§  Suggest support strategies


What is Autism ?

Social Skills Communication

Skills

Ritualistic Behaviours These are behaviors that not only restrict everyday ability and experiences, they also include repetitive behaviors that are similar to OCD

What is Autism ?

Autism is a developmental disorder that causes problems in three different areas of ability

Ritualistic

Behaviours


Current Definitions

Autism I, II & III

Asperger’s Syndrome

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Autism


Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger's Syndrome

can effect a person’s

§ Behaviour

§ Use of Language

§ Ability to communicate

§ Social interactions

In the UK and USA, 1 in 68 children are diagnosed as being

on the Autistic Spectrum

There has been a 30% increase in the number

of children diagnosed with Autism since

the 2012 statistics


Possible Causes of Autism

.

Only 1 in 10 people

Genetics ?

PCB (Polychlorinated

Biphenyls) ?

Pesticides and other pollutants ?

Neurology ? Lack of Vitamin E?


Myths

Fact or Myth ?

MYTH

Tantrums

MYTH

Don’t want

Friendships

MYTH

Good at Maths

MYTH

Have no feelings

MYTH

Lack Creativity


Signs of Autism •  Social Interactions •  Repetitive speech •  Non-verbal skills •  Appear aloof. •  One sided talk •  Lack of eye contact •  Social/emotional •  Obsessions •  Movements •  Literal Interpretation •  Personal space •  Sensory issues www.dealwithautism.com

Autism and Females

Generallymorepassivethan

males.

Usuallysupportedby

theirneurotypicalpeers.

Lookoutforthesepersonalitytraits:• Obsessivetendencies• Fascinatedwithcertainsubjects• Mimicneurotypicalpeople• Getboredwithpeopleoftheirownage• Rarelyshowempathy

FemalescanexpresstheiremoConsinacalmermanner

Willwithdrawnratherthanbeaggressive


•  The ability to spot errors

•  Directness in dealing with people

•  Honesty

•  Interesting viewpoints

•  Have areas of expertise

•  Reliable on routine tasks

•  Punctual & Conscientious

•  Will get on with tasks and less likely to chatter.

•  Thability

The Positive side of Autism

ThesecharacterisCcsaregeneralandwill

dependonpersonalityand

ability


Itcananypartofthebodyaffect

“We cannot do everything…The cuts are so significant, we are going to have so few

officers that the public’s expectations are going to have to change.”

•  Stimming

Repe22vethroatclearing

HandFlappingorflicking

Repea2ngthesamewordor

sound

S2mming:repe22vemovement.Canbeassimpleas• asidewaysgazeOrasobviousas• runningincircles• jumpingandclapping• chewingonclothes• rockingbackandforth.


Visual Learners


Identified Behaviour Risks

Lackscommonsense

DislikesgeHngmessy

ChangestoRou2ne

Anxiouswhenannoyed.Cangetverballyabusive

Easilydistractedbystronginterests

Misreadsocialsitua2ons

Risk Factors together with

sensory overload can cause a Melt

Down.


Support Tactics

CrystalClearinstruc2ons

AgreeaSafePlace

CardsoraScribe

Mentor

DiscusstheBoundaries

Watch your Language !

Canre-focuswithsupport

Advancewarningofany

changes


Sensory Meltdown

HeightenedsensiCvityto:§ Sound§ Smell§ Taste§ Touch§ VisualsCmulus

CanresultinaSensoryMeltdown§ ItsnotaTantrum§ DifferentlevelsofsensiCvity§ Canfeeltrapped§ Shouldnotbepunishedfornotcoping


Autism and Learning Difficulty LearningdifficulCescaninclude:§ Dyslexia§ ADHD§ ADDWhichcanleadto:§ FrustraCon§ Lowself-esteem§ Behaviourproblems

Between44%-52%ofpeoplewithauCsmmayhavealearningdisability.

Between48%-56%ofpeoplewithauCsmdonothavealearningdisability.


Autism & Mental Health

MentalHealthDifficul2es§ AnxietyandDepression§ SleepDifficulCes§ BipolarDepression§ GeneralAnxietyDisorderBehaviouralProblems§ ObsessionalCompulsiveDisorder(OCD)§ InaYenConandHyperacCvity(ADD&ADHD)§ Seizures.§ Impulsivity


AuCsmAlertcardisdesignedforolderchildrenandadults

TheCommunicaConandHospitalPassport

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Autism Awareness€¦ · Autism Awareness Making sense of the puzzle . Introduction The term Autism covers a vast range or spectrum of abilities and difficulties. Aims & Objectives

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