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Autistic Spectrum Disorder



Autism is a pervasive development disorder and since the 1980’s the idea of a ‘spectrum of autistic disorders’ has been widely acknowledged.

The causes of autism are complex and it is unlikely that there is a single cause, but rather a set of triggers involving biological/medical, psychological and behavioural factors. There appears to be a strong genetic link.

Psychological assessments can be helpful but they cannot be used to confirm or deny a diagnosis of ASD.  The diagnosis is medical and is made by recognising patters or behaviour from early life where the impairments of social interaction, communication and development of imagination are crucial.  This is known as the “Triad of Impairments’.

At one end of the spectrum will be a normally intelligent child with mild autism, and at the other end will be the child with profound learning difficulties and severe autism. The estimated prevalence of ASD is 6:1000 and it affects four times as many boys as girls.


What are the main characteristics?
 
Social Interaction The child will have an inability to empathise with others and will find it difficult to understand the feelings and/or behaviour of others.

They may appear withdrawn and make little attempt to make friends, often being described as ‘aloof’.  Sometimes their behaviour is odd – using inappropriate greetings, touching or being aggressive.

Children with ASD have difficulties understanding and interpreting social situations and may become distressed or confused.

Communication This includes a difficulty in making sense of and using both verbal and non-verbal communication such as eye contact, facial expression, gesture and body language.

Some children never develop speech; others experience a significant language delay and when they do begin to use language it is often repetitive and/or learned phrases from things such as television cartoons or adverts.

In contrast, some children appear to have good expressive language but still have difficulties in understanding and tend to interpret literally.

Thought and Imagination An impairment in thought and imagination affects every area of thinking, language and behaviour.

In Early Years settings an impairment in play and imaginative activities is often noticeable. Children may become fixated by a particular toy, especially one that spins and shines.  They may develop repetitive and/or obsessive interests and are often more interested in objects than people.

Changes in routine can cause distress because ASD children are dependant upon routine to make sense of their environment.

Additional Difficulties

In addition to the ‘triad of impairments’ children with ASD may experience any number of the following:

  • Hand flapping, rocking or spinning
  • Sensitivity to noise, smell, taste, touch or visual stimuli
  • Erratic sleeping patterns
  • Unusual sleeping habits
  • Self injury
  • Aggressive behaviour
  • Hyperactivity
  • A strange gait or posture – often walking on tip-toes
  • Irrational fears or phobias
About 10% have a special creative or mathematical skill such as remembering dates or making complicated mathematical calculations.

Picture
Picture


Picture
  • Home
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            • The Beers
            • Mozart
            • Tommy's Death
            • The Escape
            • The End
          • Documents
          • Key Scenes and Sequences
          • Posters
        • TV Documentaries >
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          • Panorama
      • Pirate Gow
      • Reading Advance >
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        • The World is Too Much With Us
      • Mrs Thompson >
        • S1
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          • Stranger Things
        • Higher Critical Reading >
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          • The Great Gatsby
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        • Animal Rights Issues in Spain
        • Barcelona
        • Christmas in Spain and Latin America
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        • Regions of Spain
        • Spanish Animals
        • Spanish Festivals
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      • KGS Virtual Carol Service 2020
      • Instrumental Timetables
      • Links
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          • Assignment
          • Coasts
          • Environmental Hazards
          • Glaciation
          • Health
          • Population
          • Rural
          • Urban
          • Weather
        • Higher >
          • Application of Geographical Skills
          • Assignment
          • Atmosphere
          • Biosphere
          • Development and Health
          • Hydrosphere
          • Lithosphere
          • Population
          • River Basin Management
          • Rural Land Degradation
          • Urban
      • History >
        • National 5 >
          • Answer Structures
          • The Atlantic Slave Trade
          • Free At Last
          • Migration and Empire
        • Higher
        • Advanced Higher
        • 16th Century Scotland
        • Labour welfare reforms
        • The Reformation
        • The Sixties
      • Modern Studies >
        • S2 - Comparative Study >
          • Nigeria
          • North Korea
          • Russia
          • Saudi Arabia
          • Zimbabwe
        • S3 - Human Rights Project
        • National 4/5 >
          • Terrorism
          • Islam, Extremism and Radicalisation
        • Higher
        • Capital Punishment
        • Gun Crime in the USA
        • North Korea - Should We Intervene?
      • RMPS >
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      • Duke of Edinburgh - Expedition
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        • Duke of Edinburgh - Gallery - KGS Bruck Collection
        • Duke of Edinburgh - Gallery - KGS DofE Bronze Expedition 2013
        • Duke of Edinburgh - Gallery - KGS DofE Groups 22 June 2013
        • Duke of Edinburgh - Gallery - DofE Groups 24 June
        • Duke of Edinburgh - Gallery - Loch Choire April 2014
        • Duke of Edinburgh - Gallery - KGS DofE May 2014
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    • Lee Craigie visit
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    • S3 Art Fashion Show
    • 7-a-side S1 Football Tournament
    • 2018 Archive >
      • Christmas Jumper Day
      • Norwegian Musicians
      • Children in Need >
        • Sumo Challenge
        • Fancy Dress
        • Lunchtime Show
        • Pudsey & Friends
      • Fraser Doherty
      • Peter Higgs Science Award
      • Peace Tea
      • Baldy Bane Theatre
      • Safe Islander
      • Science Festival 2018 >
        • Dr Philip Noble
        • Durham University
        • Medieval Construction
        • Paper Making
        • Peter Higgs Science Award
        • Rocket Engineers
        • Upside Down Science
        • Weights and Measures
      • Drug Dog Visit
      • Cup and Award Winners
      • Aidan Moodie & Graham Rorie Concert
      • Deputy First Minister's Visit
      • Calcutta Cup
      • Sports Day
      • Sorkedalen Brass Concert
      • The Big Walk
      • Activities 2018 >
        • Board Games
        • Gaming
        • Horse Riding
        • Hunting & Gathering
        • Other activities
        • Outdoor Sketching
        • Sailing
      • Norwegian Constitution Day Concert
      • Japan Week
      • Leavers 2018
      • 'Smashed' Performance
      • USA Fiddlers/Haadhirgaan Concert
      • World Down Syndrome Day - odd socks
      • Art Fashion Show
      • Alistair Carmichael Visit to Social Subjects
      • Football Coaching
      • RMPS Talk
    • 2017 Archive >
      • End of Term Carols
      • Art Exhibition
      • Glasgow Gurdwara linkup
      • Christmas Dinner
      • CS Christmas Art Exhibition
      • Children in Need 2017 >
        • Catchphrase
        • Fancy Dress
        • Lunchtime Show
      • Safe Islander
      • Safe Drive Stay Alive
      • Science Festival 2017 >
        • Illuminating Geometry
        • Harriet Young
        • Sound in a Wind Instrument
        • Glasgow Science Centre FitLab
        • Supercharged Science
      • House Awards 2017
      • Sports Day 2017
      • School Show 2017
      • Inverness Football Trip
      • Activities 2017
      • Sponsored Walk 2017
      • Arras Trip 2017
      • S6 Leavers 2017
      • Japanese Consulate Visit 2017
      • Alpe d'Huez - February 2017
      • Fairtrade Fortnight 2017
      • Fereday Writers 2017
    • 2016 Archive >
      • Art Exhibition 2016
      • Children in Need 2016 >
        • 8 Hour Basketball Challenge
        • The Cube
        • Fancy Dress
        • Lunchtime Show
        • Mr & Mrs
      • Screenplay 2016 Trip
      • Science Festival 2016
      • History Trip 2016
      • Activities 2016
      • S6 Leavers 2016
      • Houses Ceremony
    • 2015 Archive >
      • Winter Fair 2015
      • Activities 2015
    • 2014 Archive >
      • Children in Need 2014
      • Global Student Forum Conference - Perth 24/9/14
      • Grease
      • Activities 2014 >
        • Beach Walking
        • Horse Riding
        • Outdoor Art
        • P7 Tour
        • Social Subjects Edinburgh Trip
      • International Happiness Day 20/3/14
    • 2013 Archive >
      • Awards Ceremony 2013
      • New York
      • Activities 2013 >
        • Activities - Fishing and Birdwatching
        • Activities - Horse Riding
        • Activities - Coastal Walks
      • S1 Outdoor Education - Birsay
    • New Build
  • Links
    • Glow >
      • Get Glowing Video Tutorial 5
    • On The Button (in school)
    • On The Button (out of school)
    • iLearn
    • Weebly
    • ScreenR Tutorial
  • Contact
  • New Page