AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS
AUTISM is a disorder of brain function that appears early in life, generally before the age of three. Children with autism have problems with social interaction, communication, imagination and behaviour. Autistic traits persist into adulthood, but vary in severity.
Autism manifests itself in difficulties in relating to and communicating with others resulting in social isolation. People with autism can often be perceived as if they live in a world of their own.
ASPERGER SYNDROME is a condition similar to autism but without clinically significant language delay. Language, however, is still used in a stilted and stereotyped manner. People with Asperger Syndrome have no general cognitive delay, meaning their overall IQ is in the normal range or above. The distinction between Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism (HFA) is unclear, especially in adulthood.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders are characterised by difficulties in three main areas .
Known as the triad of impairment, they are:
- Socialisation
- Communication
- Imagination
Possible features
- Apparent inability to make sense of the world around them
- Lacking imagination / creativity
- Inability to understand other people’s feelings, thoughts, needs.
- Obsessive interest in one subject / object
- Repetitive behaviour
- Difficulty accepting changes in routine
- Poor planning and organisational skills
- Speech and language difficulties
- Impairment in use of non-verbal communication – eye contact, facial expressions, body posture, gestures.
Other terms used to describe autistic spectrum disorders are:
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
