Autism

Question 1

What is autistic spectrum disorder?

Answer 1

Autistic Spectrum Disorder refers to a range of condition that are developmental disorders, including Asperger syndrome and autistic disorder

Question 2

What is a way of defining autism?

Answer 2

A lifelong, developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them

Question 3

What is mild autism?

Answer 3

Asperger syndrome

Question 4

Does autism affect boys or girls more?

Answer 4

Boys

Question 5

What is the ratio of boys to girls with Asperger syndrome worldwide?

Answer 5

10 boys to 1 girl

Question 6

What is the ratio of boys to girls with autism worldwide?

Answer 6

4 boys to 1 girl

Question 7

In every 1000 people, how many people have ASD?

Answer 7

6

Question 8

What % of the population have severe autism?

Answer 8

0.2%

Question 9

What does it mean when autistic people have a lack of empathy?

Answer 9

They find it hard to understand other people’s emotions

Question 10

What does it mean when autistic people find it hard to show love or emotions?

Answer 10

They find it difficult to regulate and express emotions, including keeping control.

Question 11

What does it mean when autistic people have difficulties in understanding people?

Answer 11

They find it difficult to interpret what others are thinking and difficulty in understanding that other people have thoughts different from them

Question 12

Why do autistic people have problems building social relationships?

Answer 12

• They don’t respond to their name by nearly 2 years old and are late to babble
• They prefer to play alone as it is hard to interact with others due to lack of empathy and understanding

Question 13

What communication issues to autistic people have?

Answer 13

• Lower than normal language ability
• They find it hard to recognise their own name, are late to babble and don’t use or understand body language
• Some have problems with reading, talking or both

Question 14

What do autistic people find hard about communicating with other people?

Answer 14

• They often repeat phrases or use the same words a lot
• Echolalia - they may repeat exactly what they hear
• Their facial expressions may not match what they say

Question 15

What repetitive behaviours to autistic people sometimes display?

Answer 15

• Low levels of imaginative thinking e.g lining up toys
• A preference for order and organisation e.g arranging objects, repeating sounds, rocking
• Obsessional behaviour - great knowledge in one particular area

Question 16

What other characteristics may autistic people posses?

Answer 16

• Low IQ

- High ability in one special area - usually connected with systems

Question 17

How is it difficult for autistic people to make friends?

Answer 17

They tend to live in their own worlds as they don’t understand the world’s of others. They focus their attention on objects rather than people.

Question 18

What happens when autistic people do make friends?

Answer 18

They tend to revolve around a special interest, it helps reduce bullying

Question 19

What differences in communication to autistic people show?

Answer 19

Some are fluent language users and some are mute

Question 20

What is a key issue with communication for autistic people?

Answer 20

They see it as a means of broadcasting information rather than having a two way conversation

Question 21

Why is non verbal communication unusual in autism?

Answer 21

They tend not to use eye contact and might not look at you at all or stare inappropriately. They have trouble using gestures.