What Is Autism?

Autism is a puzzling disorder because it is difficult to understand the behaviour of people with autism and because the world is so confusing for a person with autism. It affects approximately one in a thousand people and boys are more likely to be affected than girls.

Autism was first identified in 1943, but it appears to have existed throughout recorded history. It occurs in all ethnic and social groups. We still do not know what causes autism, but it is thought to be a brain disorder. It is definitely not caused by poor parenting as was once believed. Our knowledge of autism has improved greatly over the years, although there is no known cure.

Autism is referred to as a developmental disability. A person with autism will have significant difficulties in several areas of their development, but may also have some good skills, such as memory or balance. Only in a very small number of people with autism are these skills outstanding.

Children and adults who show this unique pattern of abilities associated with problems is communication, social interaction and behaviour will usually be diagnosed as having "Autism", "Asperger Syndrome" or "Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified" (PDD-NOS). Many people with autism also have an intellectual disability.

We therefore talk about a spectrum or continuum of autistic disorders. People with these disorders are affected differently but all require specialised assistance and support.

Autism ACT believes that the best way to help a person with an autistic disorder is to understand how the following difficulties affect their view of the world:

• COMMUNICATION: Autism affects the ability of a person to understand the meaning and purpose of spoken and body language and the written word. Words can be misunderstood, interpreted literally or not understood at all. Other people's feelings and emotions can also be difficult to understand. This must feel like coming from another planet.
• SOCIAL INTERACTION: Social interaction is for most people an essential part of life. For people with autism being sociable is difficult, scary and very confusing. Some appear to withdraw and become isolated, others try very hard to be sociable but never seem to get it right. People with autism can find friendships difficult.
• BEHAVIOUR: Impairments in Communication and Social Interaction produce a range of behaviour that have become linked with autism spectrum disorders. These may include:
  
  

  • Speech - absent, delayed or showing abnormal patterns.
  • Play - isolated, repetitive, unimaginative, destructive.
  • Body movements - stereotypic ( such as flapping or toe walking ) and occasionally behaviour that may cause self injury ( such as hand biting ).
  • Obsessions - with favourite topics, objects, places, people and activities.
  • Rituals - rituals and routines bring order to chaos and confusion - a change of routine can be very difficult to cope with.
  • Tantrums - can be a way of expressing extreme confusion and/or frustration.
  • Sensory sensitivities - to certain sounds, colours, tastes, smells and textures.

What can be done?

Assessment: - A detailed, multidisciplinary assessment will ensure a proper diagnosis. Most affected children will show signs of the disorder by the age of two, but a firm diagnosis may not be possible until three or older.

Educational Programs: - The educational needs of each child varies greatly. Intensive, specialised programs are desirable for most children with autism. More able children benefit greatly from being with their peers at the local pre-school or school but will require additional assistance.  Read more about this subject in our education page.

Parent Support: - This is critical as the parents are shouldering a massive burden and are their child's best teacher and advocate.

Other Specialised Services: - what we consider essential are respite and residential care, training in social skills, independence and living skills and pre-vocational training.