Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication. The document provides an overview of ASD and discusses several key features. It notes that early diagnosis and intervention are important, and that children with ASD may benefit from speech, occupational, and other therapies. Common characteristics include obsessive behaviors, reliance on routines, intense interests in specific topics, sensory overloads to noises and lights, speech delays, and potential gastrointestinal issues from certain foods. While ASD symptoms vary significantly between individuals, raising awareness and accessing community support programs can help children with ASD and their families.

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Brief Overview

2. ASD in children
• Getting a diagnosis is important for future
funding and support in schools
• When choosing a school, find one where
teachers are familiar with ASD
• Begin early intervention programs before school
▫ Speech therapy
▫ Occupational therapy
• Don’t panic. It is getting more common and a lot
of people with ASD finish school, go to uni and
get successful careers in IT or engineering

3. Features of ASD
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Obsessive compulsive symptoms
Routines
Special topics
Sensory overloads
Speech delays
Gastro-intestional

4. Obsessive compulsive symptoms
• Many people with ASD also have OCD
• This relates to doing ritualised behaviour for a
long time (>1min)
• May happen after stress
• If you notice this kind of behaviour and it is
inappropriate
▫ Example: Opening and closing refrigerator and
clapping hands
• Try to change to a more appropriate
▫ Example: Playing with a puzzle toy

5. Routines
• Whether you realise it or not, there is a routine
• If he becomes upset, try to think if the routine
has suddenly change recently
• If you want to encourage a behaviour, add it to
his routine
▫ Example: Brushing teeth after tea
• If something usual is coming up, give lots of
warning and put it on a calendar
▫ Example: holidays, sleep overs

6. Special Topics
• Boys in particular will develop a special interest
• This will take priority over most other topics
• At a young age you can shape this interest to a
mainstream topic that will help him in school
▫ Example: AFL, cricket, soccer

7. Sensory Overloads
• Often you will find load noises or bright lights
will cause putting hands over ears or eyes
• Think about the noise level, consider it will be
10x worse for him
• Also consider noises only he will hear
▫ Example: Fluorescent lights, packing foam
• Certain fabrics may also cause discomfort
▫ Example: Crushed velvet, wool

8. Speech Delays
• One of the main diagnostic criteria in ASD
• Most children:
▫ Will start talking before 1 year
▫ At 2 years they will speak >50 words in 2 word sentences
▫ At 3 they will have nearly full sentences with a wide vocab
• Children with ASD generally see no reason to talk so will
need a lot of encouragement
• Areas to focus on:
▫ Pronunciation
▫ Pro-nouns (may find difficult telling difference between
genders)
▫ Asking politely or at all

9. Gastro-intestional
• ASD was first seen as a gastro-intestional
disorder
• Some food may trigger stress and embellishment
of symptoms
▫ Example: MSG, milk products
• Taking these out of their diet can show near
immediate improvement

10. Conclusion
• The above symptoms are typical off all children with
ASD
• There are some aspects that can be helped but others will
be pervasive – Pick your battles
• However it is a continuum and no two children with ASD
will be the same
• There is a growing awareness and acceptance of ASD in
the community with many programs and support groups
• Talk with as many parents and professionals as possible
and get as much info as you can, it all helps
• If you have any questions please contact me on:
▫ 0437950089 or 9706 7616
▫ Rhiana.heath@gmail.com