Autistic spectrum disorder
What is autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Children on the autistic spectrum have difficulty in developing social and language skills, and as a result, find making friends and relating to other people especially hard. Some children also display unusual behaviour patterns and experience learning difficulties.
The spectrum affects people in different degrees and the nature of the disorder means that people face a range of different challenges.
According to the National Autistic Society, more than 500,000 people in the UK have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research in 2006 indicated that as many as one in 100 children are affected and it is four times more common in boys than girls.
What is the difference between autism and Asperger's Syndrome?
People who are diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome are also classified within the autistic spectrum. A person with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) generally has a good vocabulary but has difficulty understanding social communication and social situations, they find making friends and relating to other people difficult and can often display unusual behaviour. People with AS are often academically able in areas of learning that are of particular interest to them.
Symptoms of autism
There are three main areas of a child's development where concerns can indicate ASD.
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Communication
Children with autism may not develop the usual speech or non-verbal communication skills of their peers and they may have difficulty understanding the spoken or written word. Children at the severe end of the autistic spectrum may never speak but they will find and can be taught other effective ways to communicate.
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Social Development
Children with autism find it difficult to make friends and interact with their peers; they will 'play alongside' other rather than join in. When they are very young they may resist being cuddled and as they grow up they will often fail to seek adult attention. Children with autism do not generally develop the same social skills as their peers and they have difficulty understanding other people's feelings.
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Interests and Behaviour
Children with autism will show little or no interest in pretend play, such as playing 'make believe' or 'dressing up', they prefer repetitive activities and can become overly interested in 'order' such as lining up toy cars, they will also seek comfort in familiar toys or books / stories. If routines are disrupted or favourite toys are removed then children with autism often become very distressed and display unusual and sometimes difficult behaviour.
What causes autism?
Autism and its cause is the focus for a significant amount of active research. Experts believe autism is caused by the way in which the brain develops before, during or soon after birth. Genetics is thought to play its part too, however the exact cause is still unknown.
How Priory Education Services can help
Priory Education Services operates a network of schools and colleges throughout the country. It is the UK's leading specialist provider of education and care for children and young people aged four to 35 with a wide range of complex learning difficulties and disabilities. These include asperger's syndrome, autistic spectrum disorders, behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Almost all students admitted have a Statement of Special Educational Needs and will have experienced difficulties within mainstream and local authority special schools. Many will have been excluded from school or had problems at home because of their complex and challenging needs and behaviours.
Please click here for further information on the relevant schools and colleges that can help with this condition.
Please click here for a list of our schools and colleges that specialise in autistic spectrum disorder.
Contact us to find out if we can help. Telephone 0845 2 774679 or email education@priorygroup.com Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and between 10am and 8pm at the weekends.
Further help
The National Autistic Society
www.autism.org.uk
0845 070 4004
Young Minds Parent Information Service
www.youngminds.org.uk
0800 018 2138