Champions Corner - Mr Holmes champions ASD Pupils Autism is a fascinating condition. It tells us as much about ourselves and our own perceptions as it does about our friends with autism. It is diagnosed by its symptoms rather than its cause because, despite over half a century of research we are still not completely sure what causes it. The symptoms of autism are: ● ●
persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction in a variety of settings and situations, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
We take these skills for granted, and impairments in these do not necessarily lead to serious issues. When they do it can make everyday processes, such as forming friendships, being organised and performing tasks that have multiple parts difficult to achieve. These are a few ways we can help. Structure is key. Structure the day and the environment for your autist friend. Picture or word schedules (like a timetable) help them to operate independently. When asking a question or giving an instruction, say their name first to gain their attention. Keep verbal instructions simple and give them one at a time. Keep questions to a minimum or keep them very simple, as they take a lot of linguistic processing. Most importantly, there is a human rights issue. Autists have the right to be the way they are, and in some aspects they may have no choice. We learn to respect and even enjoy cultural differences, and autism is a culture deserving of the same respect.
