Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show differences in how they 1) interact and communicate socially with others, and 2) show their interests as they tend to be more restricted and repetitive. Children can show many differences while other children only show a few, and girls present very differently to boys. Approximately 65% of children with ASD present with an intellectual disability and then a small percentage present with above average intelligence. Around 1 in 100 people experience ASD and it is currently diagnosed at a rate of 1 to 4 in boys due to girls being missed and miss or under diagnosed.

 

Children on the spectrum present very differently so a wide range of interventions may be required. 

 

Symptoms of ASD

• Social differences usually show difference in how children engage in give and take of age appropriate social interactions, non-verbal communication, and skills in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships.  

• Communication differences vary from non verbal or mute, to children who have advanced verbal skills. For the children who do have language skills they may say odd things, be blunt or sound impolite, talk about specific things with no awareness of time or if the other person is interested, and potentially say things that are not relevant to the current conversation or situation. 

• Difference with non verbal communication is children my not engage in eye contact at all, or gaze intently at the other person. Some children struggle with understanding facial expressions and hand gestures. Other children have face blindness where they struggle to recognise people they have already met before. 

• Children can have very narrow interests and speak of these interests in a repetitive way. Or they may watch the same program over and over, or focus their play on a single toy. 

• In play, children may play alongside other children rather than with other children, or may play with toys in a different way. Such as focusing upon how a wheel spins or watching how a light shines off different surfaces and objects. 

• Children may rock or flap their hands which can be a way to self regulate or who show distress or excitement. 

• Children can struggle with a change in their routines or when expectations and reality do not match. 

 

Treatment for ASD:
Research indicates focusing upon improving skills and understanding behaviour as the best approach for children with ASD. Speech pathology and can support children with speaking, social communication skills and improving play. Occupational therapy can aid in supporting children to learn about their bodies sensory systems, how to adapt and develop to their sensitivities. Psychology can support with behavioural and cognitive interventions, improving their emotional regulation and how they understand themselves and the world around them. 

 

Parents and carers have a critical role in their child’s life by reinforcing what is learnt in therapy and applying to their day to day lives.