What is Autism?
‘We still do not know what autism is, or to be more precise what the ‘autisms’ are.’ The Lancet, June 2010
Autism was first identified in 1943, but unfortunately it is still relatively unknown. The term ‘autism’ describes a range of neurodevelopmental conditions present from birth or within the first 2 1/2 years. As autism is a spectrum disorder, children with autism can be affected in varying degrees and often display ‘spikey’ profiles, meaning they have strengths or difficulties in particular areas. There is no obvious physical disability although autism can be diagnosed with other related difficulties e.g. learning disability, dyspraxia.
Children with autism often have difficulties in the following areas:
- Social Communication problems with prosody, spoken language,
conversational skills and repetitive use of language (echolalia).
- Social Interaction difficulties with developing peer relationships, understanding body language, social rules and social referencing.
- Social Imagination difficulties in make-believe play, repetitive movements using objects / body parts, preoccupation with details versus bigger picture, repetitive patterns of interest, inflexible adherence to routines or rituals and unable to take someone else's perspective.
Unfortunately there is no cure for autism and nobody knows exactly what causes it. It is estimated that one child in every 110 is diagnosed with autism; there is no established explanation for this increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered.
Early behavioural intervention can help children with autism improve in most skill areas, and in some cases some children make such significant improvements that their diagnosis of autism is removed. ABA is the first choice of intervention for children with autism in many countries including USA, Canada, Italy and Australia.
For more information or to arrange a chat with one of the team at Keys for Learning, please contact us.
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