Autism And Communication

Question 1

What does ASD stand for?

Answer 1

Autism
Spectrum
Disorder

Question 2

What does the DSM-5 define autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as?

Answer 2

Persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction. The individual may display restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests present since early childhood

Question 3

What does ASD include?
(3)

Answer 3

Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity

Deficits in non-verbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction

Deficits in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships

Question 4

What are some difficulties that people with ASD may have with verbal communication?
(4)

Answer 4

They may take spoken language literally

Difficulties linking language with context

Difficulties understanding irony and sarcasm

Not knowing how to start or end a conversation

Question 5

What are some difficulties that people with ASD may have with non-verbal communication?
(4)

Answer 5

Difficulty reading non-verbal cues

Lack of body language/facial expression

Difficulty reading the room

Issues with eye contact

Question 6

What are the consequences of the difficulties in communication for autistic people?
(6)

Answer 6

Anxiety and stress

Sensory overload

Isolation

Loneliness and depression

Lower self-esteem

Exhaustion

Question 7

What are some strategies to help autistic people with communication?
(4)

Answer 7

Reliable- do what you say you will; the importance of trust

Empathetic- think carefully about the person on the receiving end and avoid creating confusion

Anticipatory- be proactive rather than reactive; think ahead in order to avoid problems before they arise

Logical- what we say and do needs to be consistent and make sense