Kids with autism experience “deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial ...
It's common for autistic children to behave in challenging ways or ways that are difficult to manage. For example, autistic children and teenagers might: refuse or ignore requests. behave in socially inappropriate ways, like taking their clothes off in public.
The Triad of Impairments:
People with significant difficulties in all 3 areas (social interaction, communication and imagination) may have ASD.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
Some autistic people can display distressed behaviour. It includes what would normally be considered physically aggressive behaviour, such as slapping, biting, spitting or hair pulling, but can also include other behaviours if they are having a negative impact on the person or their family.
Restricted behavior and play
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are often restricted, rigid, and even obsessive in their behaviors, activities, and interests. Symptoms may include: Repetitive body movements (hand flapping, rocking, spinning); moving constantly.
Due to sensory problems, individuals with ASD often exhibit repetitive and/or stereotyped behaviours. These may include repetitive actions, such as hand flapping, flicking, spinning, jumping and rocking. Individuals with ASD may also be either hypo-sensitive or hyper-sensitive to sensory stimuli.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
In addition to sensory triggers, certain chemicals found in everyday household products like cleaning supplies or air fresheners can also aggravate symptoms of autism. These chemicals include phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which have been shown to disrupt hormones and affect behavior in animal studies.
In the brilliant first account of autism by Kanner (1943), Kanner wrote that “loud noises and moving objects” are “reacted to with horror” and things like “tricycles, swings, elevators, vacuum cleaners, running water, gas burners, mechanical toys, egg beaters, even the wind could on occasions bring about a major panic” ...
Common life experiences such as facing the death of a loved one, failed romantic relationships, employment problems, etc., can exacerbate autism symptoms in adults. In these cases, autism symptoms can get worse with age, but not necessarily due to the disorder neurologically worsening.
Intensely disliking loud noises and crowds. Insisting on having things and/or events occur in a certain way. Having trouble playing and socializing well with peers or avoiding socializing altogether. They prefer to be alone because others do not do things exactly as they do.
BST is a teaching method relying on the use of instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to teach learners new skills. It has been shown to be successful for teaching a variety of social skills to children with ASD, including assertiveness, eye contact, loudness of speech, speech duration, and requesting.
The major behavioural skills you must imbibe are Time Management, Communication skills, Patience, Self-improvement, Emotional Intelligence, Self-confidence and Work and life balance.
Social-emotional strengths and abilities in kids with autism
They may be capable of talking about their special interests extensively. They may be very logical and capable of seeing things without processing everything through emotions as many other people might. They may be good at focusing on certain activities.
The ABC is a 57-item behavior rating scale assessing the behaviors and symptoms of autism for children 3 and older. The instrument consists of a list of 57 questions divided into five categories: (1) sensory, (2) relating, (3) body and object use, (4) language, and (5) social and self-help.
The purpose of executive function within our brains is to manage tasks such as planning, organization, reasoning, multitasking, problem solving and behavior inhibition. People with autism, (as well as those with ADHD and other disruptive impulse-control and conduct disorders) often struggle with executive dysfunction.
Sitting still for extended periods can be difficult for anyone, but particularly challenging for children on the autism spectrum due to sensory issues. And this can deeply impact their learning and social life.
Many autistic children need to feel they are in 'control' to make sense of the world and feel comfortable in their environment.
Sensory Issues
Many people with autism experience sensory processing disorder. This is more commonly known as sensory overload. Noise, crowds, bright lights, strong tastes, smells, and being touched can feel unbearable to someone with HFA. This makes going to restaurants, movies, and shopping malls difficult.
Autistic individuals prefer predictability, routines, and patterns, making sudden changes difficult. It bothers them greatly when unexpected changes occur, and they become very upset about it. For instance, HFA individuals may stick with routines developed for them by other people or themselves.
A child with autism can learn to calm themselves by being taught what to do when anxiety strikes. Provide the child with tools to self-soothe, such as sensory toys, calming books or videos, weighted blankets, a swing set, or even a pet.
Difficult social situations and sensory environments can increase stress and increase anxiety for autistic people. Another significant cause of anxiety is a sense of being misunderstood and/or not accepted by non-autistic people. To 'fit in' and not be seen as different, autistic people might mask or camouflage.