Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger's Syndrome)

What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is a life-long, non-progressive developmental disorder affecting social and communication skills.  Autism is a spectrum disorder.  The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe.  It is defined by difficulties in communication and language skills, imaginative play and social interaction.

Autism is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).  The five disorders are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett's Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified.  Each of these disorders have specific behavioural characteristics and ages of onset.  However, they each share common characteristics, including poor social skills, impaired communication, and some form of stereotypic behaviours. There is tremendous confusion with the terms used to describe the disorder and a variety of terms are used.  The term Autistic Spectrum Disorder is often used initially by doctors.

Children with Asperger's syndrome are at the more able end of the autistic spectrum and have normal to high intelligence.  They are often diagnosed later than children with autism, often not until they are at school.

Sensory Integration and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Many children and adults with autism have problems processing sensory information.  Recent research has suggested that between 75 - 95 % of children with autism have significant problems processing sensory information.  Temple Grandin, a woman with autistic spectrum disorder, discusses in her books her sensitivity to light touch and sounds.  She tells how she used deep-pressure touch to calm and organise her nervous system and reduce her hypersensitivity to touch.

Children with sensory processing problems may present with some of the following difficulties:

Assessment of your child

We specialise in the assessment and treatment of children and young adults with autistic spectrum disorder.  We see children across the spectrum from those who attend mainstream schools to those whose difficulties are so severe that they are in a specialised placement.  A large proportion of the children and young adults that we work with exhibit severe behavioural problems such as self-injurious behaviour, causing real challenges to parents and health and education staff working with the child or young person.  In these cases a coordinated and assessment driven care plan are essential to avoid reinforcing and escalating difficulties.  Such an approach emphasises the importance of understanding the sensory difficulties underpinning the extreme behaviour as a first step to addressing the causes of the observed behaviour.   Ongoing case management, training and review are an integral part of the overall approach provided by our services in such complex cases.

We will carry out a comprehensive assessment in order to identify the extent and nature of your child’s difficulties. We will select those assessments that we feel are most appropriate for your child, following discussion with you at the initial consultation appointment. If your child has sensory processing problems we will carry out a comprehensive sensory assessment.  This will involve using standardized questionnaires, observation of your child in a familiar environment eg home, nursery, school, discussion with parents and others involved with your child. Following the assessment we will arrange a feedback appointment to discuss the results, offer you advice and recommend therapy options that may be appropriate.

Please contact us if you would like any further details or would like to arrange an assessment appointment.

Therapy for Autistic Spectrum Disorder

The practice specialises in using sensory integration as a treatment approach when working with a child with autistic spectrum disorder.  Although other treatment approaches will also be used if appropriate for your child. The intervention will be child-centred and planned around the needs of your child and the goals they/you want to achieve. Perhaps most importantly therapy will be fun.

Treatment may involve one or more of the following options:

Useful links for information on Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Visit our links and resources page for further information on autistic spectrum disorder.

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Julia Dyer Children's Physiotherapy Practice. Clitheroe, Lancashire. Tel: 07752 365 487 email julia Dyer Physiotherapy practice Email
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