Autism spectrum behaviours - characteristics of autism

Question 1

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Answer 1

A lifelong development disorder that begins in childhood and impairs everyday functioning
- characterised by a persistent impairment in reciprocal social communication and social interaction , interests or activities
- deficits in the ability to engage with others and share thoughts and feelings

Question 2

2 categories of symptoms by DSM V

Answer 2

1) social and communication
- combines social interaction aspects and verbal/non verbal communication aspects

2) repetitive behaviours and restricted interests
- includes stereotypes and repetitive speech
- hyper or hypo sensitivity to sensory aspects of the environment

deficits in these must be impairing before one can be diagnosed with autism

Question 3

Social communication

Answer 3

• concerns difficulties those with AD have in using communication for social interaction
  
  • social emotional reciprocity
  • non verbal communication
• problems developing and maintaining relationships

people with ASD have impairments in social communication
- the way in which the person is affected varies
- these impairments can include difficulties in using and understanding speech, gestures, eye contact, tone of voice and language

This can impact daily life by them not being able to gesture or interpret gestures, speaking in monotone voice, avoiding eye contact may be interpreted as the individual being rude

Question 4

Social interaction

Answer 4

• the way in which the person is affected varies and impairment can include difficulties in : building and sustaining relationships, sharing, enjoying conversation, understanding humour, sharing concern for others, giving and receiving compliments
• this can impact day to life by - children finding it difficult to instigate or join in play with other children
  • children and adults with ASD may find it difficult to show empathy which can make them appear cold to others
  • people with ASD find it difficult to develop and maintain relationships

Question 5

Social imaginations

Answer 5

• can affect areas of day to day life such as:
  relating to others, planning, coping with changes, creative activities, problem solving
• can impact day to day life as they may find it difficult to predict how others may be feeling or how they will react due to problems with social imagination

Question 6

Repetitive behaviours and repeated interests

Answer 6

-have repetitive behaviours and restricted interests
- repeating what they have heard, repetitive movements, from hand gestures to whole b ody motions
- routines, ritual and resistance to change — stick inflexibly to routines, carrying out step by step, verbal rituals such as demanding people use words in a set way
- restricted and fixated interest - often pre occupied with a narrow interest or topic to the exclusion of all others
- unusual reactions to sensory input - may become distressed by loud sound and usually do not liked to be touched, may be obsessive about the movement of objects
- sensory issues - perceptions of the senses can be heightened or decreased. all the senses can be affected e.g sensitivity to colours, decreased feelings of pain, difficulties around noisy traffic

Question 7

Describe the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders

Answer 7

• describe the characteristics and process of diagnosis