Autism : Definition and Strategies
AUTISM Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Definition : “A complex developmental disability that essentially affects the way a
person communicates and relates to people.”
All individuals experience difficulties in relation to :
Communication : literal understanding/ use of words, poor understanding/ use of speech
Social interaction : difficulty establishing relationships or friendships individual may remain “aloof” or passive in their behaviour.
Learning : difficulty maintaining attention or focusing on tasks. May think abstractly
Behaviour : individuals may have a resistance to change as well as restricted interests. May have repetitive mannerisms eg hand flapping.
Sensory stimuli : individuals with ASD will respond differently to stimuli this may vary from restrained sensitivity to over-sensivity. Some children may be clumsy or dyspraxic.
Anxiety and stress : this may range from a withdrawal to a bedroom to an outburst of emotion.
Some Strategies
- play strategies to foster turn-taking and social skills
- intensive interaction to encourage communication and to help eliminate
inappropriate behaviours
- intrusive teaching which encourages children actively to seek help and
to be engaged in class activities
- stress-reducing activities to help individual children cope with difficult
situations, including managing anger and aggression
- friendship techniques eg circle of friends