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What is Autism?
Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means that autistic people think and work differently. Their brains work and develop in a different way. Autism does not affect intelligence and every child’s journey is unique.
Autism has a huge range or spectrum of traits. These traits include difficulties understanding social cues, rigid thinking and repetitive behaviours. Autism cannot be ‘cured’ and it cannot be ‘outgrown’.
Autistic children and young people will grow up into autistic adults. Our team at Alder Hey is here to support families and help each child feel understood & celebrated for who they are.
ASD IN SIXTY SECONDS from Spectrum Gaming:
Traits of Autism
There isn’t a specific way that autism ‘should’ look. Autism can look very different in each child. Every child is unique, so their autistic traits are also going to be unique.
There are differences in how boys and girls show their Autism. For example, girls are more likely to look shy or hide their traits by copying other children and young people. This is also known as masking.
For more information about the Traits of Autism, click each link below:
Autistic skills & strengths
It can be easy to focus on what your child or young person is struggling with. People with autism have lots of different strengths that they can offer. It’s really important to highlight your child or young person’s strengths to them.
Autistic people can be:
- Attention to Detail: Spotting errors or nuances invisible to neurotypical peers
- Creative
- Empathetic
- Encyclopaedic knowledge in areas of special interest
- Exceptional memory, strong recall, often longer term, including factual details or complex patterns
- Good at building
- Good at focusing on tasks
- Good at hearing and identifying different sounds
- Good decision makers
- Good at making systems
- Good at sensing and identifying different smells
- Good at spotting patterns and trends
- Good with paying attention to details
- Good work ethic
- Hyperfocus, intense concentration on a single task or subject for extended periods
- Logical thinkers
- Problem solvers
- Quick learners
- Quick at processing information
- Resourceful
- Sensitive
- Unique perspective, seeing the world differently helps foster creativity & innovation
It is important to note that not every autistic child or young person will possess these skills, these are individual strengths & not guaranteed aspects of autism.
Referrals
For more information regarding referrals to our services, please visit the ND Assessment & Diagnosis page and the ND Treatment & Post Diagnostic Support page.
Helping your child or young person with their autism
It can be difficult to know where to start to help your autistic child or young person with their autism. Autism cannot be ‘cured’, but you can help your child or young person to manage it.
Managing autism needs a combination of different elements including:
- Learning and understanding autism (also known as psychoeducation)
- Graduated Approach – We use a whole person, graduated approach to ASD and ADHD, providing the right level of support at the right time, tailored to each child’s individual needs, promoting early identification, targeted support and specialist intervention, delivered progressively in response to need. Find out more by selecting your region: Sefton, Liverpool & Knowsley
- Therapy
- Behavioural strategies
Parenting an autistic child or young person
Autistic children and young people see the world in a different way. This can lead to them showing challenging behaviour more often.
Everyday life can be stressful and overwhelming for autistic children and young people.
Many autistic children and young people have sensory issues. This is on top of their autistic traits. These include:
- Not always understanding social cues and rules
- Struggling to understand how other people feel
- Difficulties expressing themselves
- Struggling with changes to routine
They may be struggling to cope with how they are feeling. The only way they can let you know that they are struggling is through inappropriate or ‘challenging’ behaviour. This is usually through tantrums, rage or meltdowns.
Some small changes can make a big difference when parenting autistic children and young people.
Clear Communication
Being able to communicate clearly is helpful for all children and young people. It can be particularly helpful for autistic children and young people.
The following techniques can help you to communicate clearly with your child or young person:
- Make sure you have their attention before speaking. You can do this by calling your child by their name before you speak and waiting for them to look.
- Try to be face-to-face with your child or young person. Get down to their level. You can do this by lying down or crouching. It makes it easier for them to see what you’re saying. It also shows your child or young person that you’re interested and helps them listen to you.
- Speak clearly and enthusiastically. Use simple and direct words. Being enthusiastic shows you are interested in what they are saying and will help them to listen to you.
- When giving instructions, give them clear step-by-step instructions. It may also be helpful for your child or young person to write down instructions so they can remember the steps.
Local offers
A list of support for children and families is also available via the Local Offer. This is a database that advises you about what services are available for your area: