Learning about autsim

Learning about autism

Autism, or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a disorder which causes people to have difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication.

Severity of autism:
Some people with mild autism may attend mainstream school with supports.

Other individuals may be non-verbal and could need a lot of extra support with care needs and may attend schools for children with additional needs.

Communication:
People living with autism who are verbal, may interpret information quite literally. This means that sarcasm, non-verbal ques and facial expressions may not be easy for them to understand. The individual may speak in a monotone voice, speak very fast or very slow and may struggle to recognise when people they are communicating with are expressing emotions.

What are the effects of autism on the individual?

(Autism Society of Ireland, 2019)