What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition (a condition that affects the development and functioning of the brain and nervous system) characterised by differences in social and communication skills, as well as in ways of thinking and in patterns of behaviour and interests.
Autism often presents in early childhood, although sometimes the condition is not recognised until adulthood.
The term “spectrum” is used because autism is a highly diverse condition encompassing a broad range of skills and difficulties – the presentation of ASD can vary between individuals and the severity of the difficulties faced may also differ.
Diagnosis of ASD involves a detailed and person-centred assessment with a professional, however some of the more common signs of ASD are described below.
For a more comprehensive exploration of autism, and common co-occuring conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia, view our blog post: Autism and common co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions
Difficulties with social communication and interaction
People with autism often have difficulties with social communication, they may have difficulties understanding verbal and non-verbal language such as:
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- Tone of voice
- Gestures
- Taking things literally
- Auditory processing, which means they may need extra time to process information.
- Echolalia – repeating what they hear on TV programmes, what other people are saying around them etc.
People with autism may also have problems with social interaction, so they may have challenges when ‘reading people’. They may not recognise or understand other people’s feelings, intentions, and emotions. This can make communicating very difficult for autistic people, as they can often appear insensitive, they may:
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- Need time alone when social situations become too much.
- Not want to be physically comforted when upset.
- Behave inappropriately.
- Find it hard to form, or maintain, friendships.
Help and support
Individuals encountering difficulties in articulating their thoughts and emotions may experience a sense of isolation and frustration. This challenge can, in turn, give rise to symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. To explore this topic further, please refer to our article:
View a list of supplements that may help alleviate stress and anxiety symptoms. Please note, we recommend that you work closely with a registered nutritionst before starting any supplements to ensure you get the best results:
Additionally explore the advantages of therapeutic play in assisting children who struggle to express their emotions and thoughts in our blog article titled:
For additional assistance in supporting social communication and interaction contact one of our experts who will be able to provide practical help and advice:
Sensory issues
Sensory processing difficulties can have a profound effect on an individual’s quality of life, so identifying triggers and learning behavioural techniques to deal with these issues, may significantly help your child.
Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives, organises, and responds to sensory information such as:
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- sights
- sounds
- smells
- tastes
- touch
- balance (vestibular)
- awareness of body position and movement (proprioception)
- awareness of internal body cues and sensations (interoception)
Hyperresponsiveness
Individuals may experience sensory input more intensely which can feel very overwhelming to them.
For example, sounds, bright lights, and smells that many people block out can cause a hyperresponsive effect in individuals with autism. This can cause the person to become frightened, upset, or anxious, it may even cause them pain.
Hyperresponsiveness can result in sensory avoidance, where individuals try to get away from the stimuli. Sensory avoidance can appear as:
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- Pulling away from physical touch (such as a hug or a kiss)
- Covering their head or ears to block out noises or unpredictable sounds
- Shielding their eyes from bright, or flickering, strobe or flashing lights
- Avoiding wearing certain types of clothing – such a tight, itchy, scratchy, or uncomfortable clothes
- Fussy eating – avoiding certain tastes and textures of foods
- Moving away or escaping from a smell
- Evasion of busy places – to avoid someone accidentally bumping into them, the sound of too many voices, sudden loud noises
Hyporesponsiveness
Individuals who are hyporesponsive may look to increase their sensory input – this is often known as sensory seeking. They are looking for more sensory stimulations.
Sensory seeking behaviours include:
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- Turning up the volume on devices such as iPads, phones, TV
- Making loud noises
- Sniffing objects, or moving closer to strong smells
- Constant movements such as jumping, hopping, bumping into things
- Preferring ‘rough play’ to normal playtime activities
- Not understanding personal space – e.g., standing too close to someone when they speak
- Touching people and objects often
Help and Support
Gain insights into how sensory occupational therapy can enhance the quality of life for individuals grappling with sensory challenges by reading our blog post entitled:
Alteratively, you can book an appointment with an OT for one-to-one support:
To delve deeper into sensory concerns and explore behavioural interventions that could provide assistance for autism type symptoms, please refer to the following post:
Repetitive Behaviour and Obsessions
Self-stimulating behaviours, also known as stimming, are repetitive behaviours which provide sensory satisfaction for an individual.
They can be an essential way of regulating emotion and providing someone with a source of comfort that helps them to continue with their day.
Self-stimulating behaviours may include:
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- hand flapping
- rocking
- jumping
- swinging
- chewing on things
- repeating words (echolalia)
- repeating sounds or songs
- smelling items
These may act as coping mechanisms for the individual to help calm them down when they feel stressed. However, some autistic people may carry out repetitive tasks just because they find them enjoyable, or as a way to express themselves and engage with the world around them.
Individuals with autism may also have intense and/or narrow interests in particular topics which can mean that concentration can be very focused, allowing for freedom from distraction. Some people with autism may therefore have in-depth knowledge in certain areas and great relevant skills. They can gain huge amounts of pleasure from pursuing their interest and they are often key to their happiness and wellbeing.
Help and Support
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Breathing techniques have long been recognised as a powerful tool for improving wellbeing and managing anxiety. This is particularly true for neurodiverse individuals, who may experience heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Learn more in our article:
Explore a list of supplements that may potentially alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety, and improve sleep:
Mental Health
Autism is not a mental health problem, but research shows that autistic people are at increased risk of mental health problems.
Research suggests that people with autism are at an increased chance of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety:
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- Approximately 50% of individuals with autism will experience a level of anxiety that has a significant impact on their everyday lives.
- Individuals with ASD show higher rates of depression than the general population, with lifetime prevalence estimates as high as 48%, based on pooled data.
These higher rates of anxiety and depression are likely due to a combination of factors, including:
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- Social challenges – Individuals may have difficulty understanding and interacting with others. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which can increase the risk of depression.
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- Communication difficulties – Individuals may have difficulty communicating their thoughts and feelings, which can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration.
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- Sensory sensitivities – Hypersensitivity to certain sounds, lights, or textures is very common in autism. This can make it difficult for individuals to cope with everyday situations and can lead to anxiety
Help and Support
For people with autism, and their family and friends, understanding related mental health conditions and emotional challenges can be both important and helpful. To access additional information regarding mental health and autism, kindly refer to our blog article:
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Discover supplements that could assist in supporting gut health and reducing issues that can occur when the gut is not functioning optimally:
Explore the potential benefits of supplements for enhancing mental health and well-being. Discover how these supplements may support and improve your overall mental health and quality of life:
Discover the power of breathing techniques in alleviating anxiety and stress for individuals with autism, offering a simple yet effective way to benefit the entire family:
Meltdowns and Tantrums
Autistic people can go into a meltdown or shutdown when their everything becomes too much. These experiences can be exhausting for the individual.
When a situation becomes completely overwhelming, an autistic person may temporarily lose behavioural control and have a meltdown. Meltdowns can vary considerably between individuals, sometimes the loss of control can be verbal, physical or both.
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- Verbal
- Screaming
- Shouting
- Crying
- Physical
- Hitting
- Kicking
- Spitting
- Biting
- Verbal
A shutdown is another response to being overwhelmed by a situation. It can appear less intense, compared to meltdowns, to the outside world, but it can be just as exhausting for the individual. It can often look like the autistic person has gone quiet or has switched off.
Help and Support
Take a look at an article that delves into how what your child eats could be affecting behaviours such as tantrums and mood swings:
Or for personalised support to make changes to your own, or your child’s, diet to positivley impact behaviour, mood, and sleep issues, book an appointment with one of our team:
There has been growing recognition of the relationship between trauma and ADHD/ASD as cognitive and emotional difficulties occur with both. Learn more about this link in our blog article:
Additionally, we have an article available that delves into how behaviour therapy could potentially support autism type symptoms:
Alternatively, please book an appointment with a behaviour therapist if you feel you need additional help and support:
Visit our dedicated what can help pages for additional information and support:
These pages are tailored to parents of neurodiverse children, and neurodiverse indivudals, in search of resources to improve their wellbeing. Here, you’ll find a wealth of information on nutrition and therapeutic support designed to positively impact mental wellbeing, mood, behavior, and sleep in neurodiverse individuals.