Autisim Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Asperger Syndrome are disorders affecting several aspects of development. The word “spectrum” is used because the condition varies from those presenting with a milder degree of difficulty to those more severely affected. Communication is impaired involving varying degrees of difficulty in understanding language and in using speech and language to communicate.

Impacts

Language may be delayed or disordered (developing in a different way from other children). ASD typically involves:

    • difficulties in socialising with others or empathising with others,
    • Communication difficulties
    • Difficulties in understanding social cues, such as tone of voice/facial expressions and in responding appropriately to the communication of others,
    • limited range of activities and interests
  • lack of interest or inability to engage in imaginative activities/imaginative play
  • Rigidity in routines with the individual wishing to stick to certain routines/patterns and showing stress/upset if the routine is changed.

There may be a fixation on/preoccupation with particular objects/topics.

People with ASD may have some areas of advanced skill whilst other areas will be developing as normal or at a very slow rate. The individual with ASD may show abnormalities in the thinking process and in generalising/applying information learned in one situation to another.

Approaches

Although there is no “cure” for ASD, early intervention has been shown to make a great difference to children on the autistim spectrum and to greatly enhance their lives. There is a heavy emphasis on sharing skills with parents, carers and Teachers to enhance communication. The Speech and Language Therapist works on a number of different areas such as

  • listening and attention skills play skills
  • social skills
  • understanding and using language
  • speech
  • alternative ways of communicating (e.g. PECS or signing such as Lamh.

Useful Websites for Autism Spectrum Disorder