zPathways - in development
- Speech difficulties can range from no speech to limited speech, or the person can have very good language skills but are unable to understand sarcasm, tone of voice or gestures
- Have difficulties with interpreting both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (gestures, tone) language Can take things literally, unable to understand 'out of the box' thinking or ideas
- Take longer to process information or to answer questions Can repeat what other are saying to them (echolalia)
3 key areas of autism
- Find it difficult to understand or 'read' others feelings and intentions
- Have difficulty expressing emotions
- Find it difficult to make and keep friendships going
- Can become easily overwhelmed or overloaded in social situations
- Can appear socially awkward, inappropriate or insensitive
- Avoid seeking or can overly seek comfort from others
- Unable to read social cues i.e. knowing when the right time is to speak or stop when others are speaking
- Prefer to stick to routines and know what they are doing or where they are going
- Like their environment to be predictable i.e. like to travel the same way to school or wear the same clothes
- Find it challenging to adapt to changes in environment i.e. change in nursery or school, big events such as holidays or Christmas
- May do repetitive movements i.e. hand flapping, spinning of objects
- Sensitivity or decreased sensitivity to sound, touch, light, taste or smell
- Becoming hyper focused on interests or having expert knowledge or memory in hobbies or areas of interests
- Extreme anxiety and difficulties with low mood, frustration and anger which can lead to 'meltdowns' or can 'switch off' when feeling overwhelmed or overloaded
- Sleep difficulties