What is Autism?

Autism is a perplexing lifelong developmental disorder. The condition impairs a child’s natural instinct to communicate and form relationships. The autistic child usually withdraws into a world of his or her own.

The degree to which each child is affected varies, but the following characteristics are common:

• Difficulty with social relationships
• Difficulty with verbal and non verbal communications
• Lack of imaginative play
• Resistance to change in routines
• Repetitive behaviour
• Sensory impairment

These are often combined with challenging behaviour that relates to the inability to understand and/or frustration at not being able to communicate effectively.

A young child with autism may initially appear quite typical but on closer observation the following would probably be noted:

• Little or no eye contact
• No pointing
• Lack of social engagement
• May appear deaf
• May be mute
• Lack of response to social interaction
• Plays alone
• Self absorbed
• Peculiarly ordering or patterning toys rather than playing with them imaginatively
• Becomes anxious over seemingly small things

For these children, everything, even the desire to communicate, must be taught. Unlike their able peer group, these children do not absorb learning from their daily routines. Learning must be broken down into minute steps, and even the most basic communication skills need to be taught.