What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that impacts how a child interacts and communicates with others. As the name Spectrum suggests, it can affect people in different ways. Not every child with Autism Spectrum Disorder will have the same challenges, but they will share similar difficulties in key diagnostic areas.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may:
- Have difficulties in social situations, interactions and with understanding relationships.
- Find it hard to manage change, resulting in extreme anxiety.
- Exhibit restrictive/repetitive behaviour.
- Have highly focussed interests/hobbies.
- Have over or under sensitivity to light, pain, temperature, certain sounds, colours, smells, or textures.
It is believed that 1 in 160 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) worldwide. Scientific evidence suggests environmental and genetic factors may make a child more likely to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Males are four times more likely to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), compared to females. This may be partially due to females being better at masking their difficulties, hence making it more difficult to diagnose. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often runs in families.
There is however no evidence that any childhood vaccine can cause Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) .
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulties communicating with others, including non-verbal communication such as body language and eye contact.
Examples include:
- Little or no eye contact.
- Limited facial expressions.
- Delay in language from a young age or speaking with an unusual accent.
- Talking about particular areas of interest in a lot of detail.
- Often being quiet or talking at you rather than engaging in a to and fro conversation.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also have difficulties in their social skills, often finding it hard to express their own feelings and have limited insight into how others are feeling. This impacts on developing age-appropriate friendships.
Examples include:
- Difficulties with sharing, being possessive about their things and not taking turns.
- Underdeveloped imaginative play.
- Preference for solitary play.
- Difficulties with understanding jokes and often taking things literally.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more likely to exhibit repetitive and restrictive behaviours.
Examples include:
- Repetitive hand flapping or other body movements.
- Changes to regular routines are often difficult to manage.
- Very strong interests in particular things such as cars, train maps, or cartoon characters.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are also more susceptible to certain health conditions such as:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Learning difficulties
- Epilepsy
- Sleep difficulties
- Sensory difficulties
- Selective diet
- Anxiety
