i know about autism
DESCRIPTION
This is a presentation aimed at Children to help them understand about AutismTRANSCRIPT
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 have
autism
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...
Communication
Can 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)
Words Blah 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 and
tell 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
Friendships
Children, 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 imagining
what 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.
Routines Some children, young people and adults with
autism 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 same
things to happen in the same order each day.
Sometimes changes can make people with
autism worried or scared.
Can you think of some changes that
might make children with autism
worried at school?
Some changes that may worry children with
autism 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:
Sight
Sound
Smell
Taste
Touch
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!