Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulty relating to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to develop friendships is generally limited, as is their capacity to understand other people’s emotional expression.
What are the characteristics of autism?
People with autism generally experience three main areas of difficulty; these are known as the triad of impairments.
Social Interaction: Difficulty with social relationships, for example appearing aloof and indifferent to other people.
Social Communication: Difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication, for example not fully understanding the meaning of common gestures, facial expressions or tone of voice.
Imagination: Difficulty in the development of interpersonal play and imagination, for example having a limited range of imaginative activities, possibly copied and pursued rigidly and repetitively.
Children may also:
- Have over-sensitive reactions to taste, smell or sounds.
- Look past people rather than at them: may stare and use inappropriate eye contact.
- Develop unusual actions – e.g. hand flapping, walking on tiptoes or clumsiness.
- Show excessive anxiety, especially when faced with any change in routines.
- Develop repetitive behaviour patterns and resistance to change in routine.
