I Know About Autism

Welcome to I Know About Autism

When we are talking about Autism today, we also mean people who have Autistic Spectrum

Disorder (sometimes called ASD) and Asperger Syndrome

Children, young people and adults can haveautism

We cannot cure autism, but learning about it will help us to understand, and this will make

life easier for people with autism

Do you think you can tell if someone has autism from they way they look?

No, you cannot tell if someone has autism from the way they look.

Children, young people and adults with autism are all different and some may have more

difficulties than others.

Children, young people and adults with autism have difficulties understanding and doing

certain things.

Lets take a look at what these are...

CommunicationCan you think of the ways in which we show

each other how we feel or what we are thinking?

Eye contact (looking at each other to show we are listening or giving ‘dirty

looks’ when we are cross)

Facial expressions (like smiling or frowning)

Body Language (like crossing our arms when

we are angry)

Gestures (like putting our thumbs

up or clapping)

WordsBlah blah blah

Think about it, how can you tell when someone is angry?

When someone is angry they:• Clench their fists• Stare• Frown• Shout• Sweat• Might have a red face

Children, young people and adults with autism have difficulty in telling how someone is feeling, or guessing what they might be

thinking from looking at them.

This means that they may be confused and not realise you are angry, sad or only joking when

you talk to them.

You should always try to use words andtell someone with autism how you feel

What about the words you use? Children, young people or adults with autism

have difficulty understanding you when you say things that you don’t mean.

Can you think of some things that people without autism say that

they don’t really mean?

Here are some examples:

That’s cool

I’ll be there in a

second

Has the cat got your tongue?

My head is spinning

She’s mental

Pull your socks up

When you talk to children, young people and adults with autism it is important to-

Say exactly what you mean

FriendshipsChildren, young people and adults with autism

like having friends. They often struggle to make and keep friends

though. This is because they may not know how you are

feeling, or not realise when you are bored or that what they say sounds unusual to you

Children and young people with autism often make very good friends.

You can help by using words to help them to understand how you feel, and teaching them

how to chat to other children and young people.

Imagination

Children, young people and adults with autism struggle with some things that need them to

use imagination.This might be playing pretend games like house

or cops and robbers, or imagining what you think about them or even imaginingwhat new places or activities will

be like.

How can you help?• Play games that don’t need imagination like

board games, tag, races or hop scotch• Be kind and patient, ask if they understand

the game before you begin.• Use your words to explain how you feel and

why you are doing something.

RoutinesSome children, young people and adults withautism like to do some things in exactly the

same way or at the same time each day.

They may also dislike changes, and like the samethings to happen in the same order each day.

Sometimes changes can make people withautism worried or scared.

Can you think of some changes that might make children with

autism worried at school?

Some changes that may worry children withautism at school:• Having a different teacher• School holidays• Christmas time (rehearsals, concerts and

parties)• School trips• New pupils starting• Changing classroom around• Moving seats

Sensory Issues

Can you name your 5 senses?

They are:

SightSoundSmellTasteTouch

Children, young people and adults with autism may be more sensitive to these than you are.

This may mean they become distressed if in a noisy place, or with certain noises like a hand

dryer.They may not like anyone touching them, may

not like bright lights or may become upset around certain smells or tastes.

Because of these difficulties, children, young people and adults with autism sometimes

become worried and distressed.

Sometimes when they are worried they may seem shy or may cry or hide away, at other

times they may shout or throw things.

You have learned a lot about autism. Being kind and patient, and remembering all the

things you have learned can really help.

you know about autism!