Resources Downloads Centre Document Downloads Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain and can affect anyone, regardless of social status or intelligence. This section provides information, strategies, and guidance on different options that you can use everyday to help to facilitate the understanding, social skills and communication of individuals on the autistic spectrum.
We will continue to add to this section over the coming months.
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The use of visuals with individuals with autism has been an invaluable tool for communication and helping with understanding. Many individuals with autism learn and understand more easily when things are presented visually, whether it be an object, photo or line drawing. These options can be used with both children and adults on the autistic spectrum. This document gives you a general overview of how visuals can be used.
There are a number of ways to focus on social skills and develop social understanding with individuals on the autistic spectrum. Social stories are an excellent and simple method to facilitate individuals to understand appropriate social interaction and responses. They can also be used to prepare individuals for change, describe abstract concepts, and be used to give praise.
When parents are first told that their child may be on the autistic spectrum it is usually a highly anxious time. Many people know very little about autism and are unaware of what to expect, or what they should do.
When we are looking at a communication program we often have to think carefully about a number of factors. Although our end goal is to try and create a system of communication that is functional, effective and easy to understand for everyone, we often need to put a lot of building blocks in place before this will work.
Many individuals with autism have difficulty coping with changes. Changes that may upset some individuals may be as small as a rearrangement of furniture, while others will become stressed if there is a change to their daily routine. There are may simple strategies that can be used to help individuals cope with, and understand change.
Most children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will require the curriculum to be adapted in some way so that they can understand and achieve. Adaptation includes taking account of their understanding and sensory sensitivities, as well as providing visuals and social stories.
Transitions into a new school or another classroom can be confusing for many children with autism. For those starting school it is a huge change, going into an environment with lots of unfamiliar children, noise, rules and routine. Preparation is a key factor to making the transition as easy as possible.
