Education and Child Matters

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Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

 

Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it. 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES.

Please also note that we have given you an overview on this condition in a question and answer format. We have not discussed the types of treatment available for this condition. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a special educational needs plan or learning/educational/healthcare plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.

WHAT IS AUTISM?

Autism is a neurological developmental disability that results because of differences in the brain. It affects how a child learns, acts and communicates. 

Children with autism are regarded as children with special educational needs.

Autism is also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR WHAT IS AUTISM?

WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH AUTISM DISPLAY?

Although many children with autism share symptoms that come with the condition however, each child will experience these symptoms in different ways. They will have different strengths and limitations of these symptoms. 

The main symptoms a child with autism will show are:

  1. A child is not returning a smile when they are smiled at.
  2. They do not give eye contact 
  3. They are unusually quiet
  4. They sometimes rock their body to and fro
  5. They flap their hands repeatedly
  6. They get upset very easily.
  7. They do not respond when called.

 Other general symptoms of autism are:

  1. The child has difficulty with social skills such as social interaction and social communication.
  2. They have social anxiety.
  3. They often find it difficult to make friends. 
  4. They often cannot comprehend what other people are thinking.
  5. They often do not understand what another person is feeling.
  6. They often repeat behaviours.
  7. They often cannot focus, pay attention and concentrate.
  8. They learn differently. 
  9. They prefer their own company

LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR SIGNS OF AUTISM IS CHILDREN

ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE AUTISM BORN WITH IT?

Yes they are. Children with autism are born with it.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF AUTISM?

Autism can be caused by a genetic condition. As yet other causes have not been confirmed. 

WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF AUTISM?

Most children first show the signs of autism from 1 year onwards.

CAN AUTISM GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?

No unfortunately autism doesn’t go away, or can be cured or prevented. An autism diagnosis will be for the whole life of the child. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)?

There are 3 different levels of autism spectrum disorder depending upon the severity of the symptoms which impact the child’s ability to communicate, interact, focus and do things. It will also impact the level of daily support your child needs. 

LEVEL 1 – Level 1 represents the milder end of the autism spectrum disorder. Children who suffer from level 1 ASD have issues with social interaction and communication and mild behaviour problems. They will need some support. 

  1. This child may not be able to read body language properly. 
  2. They may not say the right things at the right time. 
  3. They may not be able to make friends very easily. 
  4. They may have problems planning and organising things and themselves. 
  5. They have problems moving from one activity to another.

LEVEL 2 – Children who suffer from level 2 ASD often have repetitive and restricted movements and trouble with social interactions and communications.

  1. This child may not be able to change focus easily.
  2. They may not be able to go from one activity to another without difficulty.
  3. They have a small band of interests.
  4. They often speak in simple sentences.
  5. They also often use non verbal ways to communicate.
  6. As stated above they have repetitive movements and behaviours.

LEVEL 3 – Level 3 is the most severe level of autism your child can suffer from. Your child will require a great deal of help and support. They will get distressed very easily.

  1. They will suffer from severe communication and speech problems – both verbally and nonverbally.
  2. They will have severe social interaction problems
  3. This child has the inability to focus.
  4. They will find it very difficult to speak clearly.
  5. They will not readily interact with others.
  6. They will find it hard to deal with a change of location.
  7. They will most probably have repetitive movements and behaviours. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUTISM?

There are 5 types of autism spectrum disorders. They are:

1. Asperger’s syndrome – This is a level 1 spectrum disorder. A child with aspergers syndrome usually has above average intelligence. They have difficulty with social communication and interaction, they are rigid in their thoughts, their behaviour is inflexible, they cannot move from one activity to another, they cannot express their feelings and can be monotone when they speak.

2. Rett syndrome – This autistic disorder affects more girls than boys. A child with Rett syndrome can have difficulty breathing, difficulty with speaking, communicating and much reduced movement and coordination.

3. Kanner’s syndrome – Children with this autistic disorder have very reduced emotional attachment to others around them, muteness, problems with speech, issues with communication, connecting with others and social integration, and they are hypersensitive. 

4. Heller’s syndrome – Hellers syndrome is also known as childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) and affects more boys than girls.  A child suffering from Heller’s syndrome will have a delayed onset of problems with social interaction, communication, speech and language issues, toileting skills and control of motor skills. These problems will appear when the child is 3 years onwards. 

5. Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD – NOS) – This type of autism is also known as subthreshold autism. With this disorder a child only shows some signs of autism. This mild autism can cause children to have social interaction and communication difficulties, language and speech issues, walking issues and problems with motor skills. 

WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD IS AUTISTIC?

Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for autism and if so what level and type of autism they have. Your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage the condition. Your GP will also refer you for further help and give you any advice on lifestyle changes you may need to make.

Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.

IS AUTISM CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?

A child suffering from autism can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age. 

Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY.

WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?

You can contact NSPCC – If your child is autistic you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police. 

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US

You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline.  You can speak to them about your concerns that your child is autistic. 

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US 

You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US 

You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY

You can contact other organisations – 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.

WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?

Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child is autistic and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CHILDLINE – CONTACT US