| Autistic Spectrum Disorders are written about | | | | that they know about the latest approaches so |
| more readily in today's society. This may be due | | | | that therapists are informed to use a personalized |
| to better identification of Autistic Spectrum | | | | combination of these approaches to suit the child, |
| Disorders and at an earlier age. | | | | young person and their family. |
| Teams of speech and language therapists will see | | | | -- What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder? |
| many children who are diagnosed or at the early | | | | People with autism have difficulties communicating, |
| stages of diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum | | | | forming relationships with others and find it hard |
| Disorder also seeing young adults who are living | | | | to make sense of the world around them. Autism |
| with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. | | | | is a life-long brain disorder that is normally |
| Working with local multi-disciplinary teams, to help | | | | diagnosed in early childhood. |
| families consider a diagnosis at an earlier age. This | | | | Repetitive behaviors are common across the |
| has more recently involved, joint nursery visits | | | | spectrum, which includes Asperger's Syndrome. |
| with Pediatricians and Educational Psychologists to | | | | This is a form of autism in which speech |
| consider the child's presenting needs in a range of | | | | development and IQ are normal, but in which |
| settings. Through such joint assessments the | | | | social disability can be compounded by depression |
| team of professionals have been able to more | | | | or other mental health problems. |
| consistently support families considering a | | | | Autism is a spectrum disorder varying in |
| diagnosis. | | | | symptoms, severity and impact from person to |
| It is our experience that families report they | | | | person and ranging from those with no speech |
| would have preferred a much more unified | | | | and limited cognitive ability to those of high IQ and |
| approach from the differing disciplines supporting | | | | typically highly-focused interests and abilities. |
| their child. It is also crucial when considering such a | | | | Some people with autism demonstrate |
| diagnosis that the family is able to build up a | | | | significantly challenging behaviors. |
| rapport with the professionals and that | | | | A distinction is made in assessing the needs of |
| information is shared readily and sensitively along | | | | people with autism between those who have an |
| the way. We are sad to hear if parents report | | | | IQ of less than 70, who are described as low |
| that information has been shared insensitively and | | | | functioning and classified as having a learning |
| without due time and care to explain their findings | | | | disability, and those who have an IQ above 70 |
| further. | | | | who are often described as high functioning. |
| It is important to find Speech and Language | | | | Some interesting facts about ASD; |
| Therapists who have a special interest in children | | | | Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed |
| and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders who | | | | with autism than girls. |
| can offer some extensive experience in | | | | In total more than half a million people in the UK |
| supporting the assessment procedures and | | | | have an autistic spectrum disorder. |
| providing a therapy program to support the | | | | Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic and |
| individual. | | | | socio-economic backgrounds. |
| Managers of speech therapists will have a | | | | There are estimated to be around 540,000 people |
| specialist interest within this group of children and | | | | with an autistic spectrum disorder in the UK. |
| young adults and take pride in striving to ensure | | | | |