This document provides an introduction to autism spectrum conditions. It defines autism spectrum disorder and discusses its main characteristics, including difficulties with language and communication, problems with social interaction and relationships, and inflexibility in activities and interests. The document outlines the "triad of impairments" that individuals with autism often exhibit - language/communication issues, social challenges, and rigid or restrictive patterns of behavior. It also mentions showing a video to examine challenges a child with autism may face and lists areas the video portrays related to obsessive behaviors, interests, sensory difficulties, and school problems.

1. L3 SILD Introductory
awareness of autistic
spectrum conditions
Lesley Smith

2. Today’s Aims: Introduction to Unit
Explore -What is Autism?
Objectives:
Introduction to unit
What is Autism?
Watch a video to examine a
child/young person’s difficulties
Triads of impairment

3. 3 main characteristics;
 Describe the types of difficulty that individuals with an autistic spectrum
condition may have with language and other ways of communicating with
others.
 Identify problems that individuals with an autistic spectrum condition may
have in social interaction and relationships.
 Outline the problems of inflexibility and restrictiveness in activities and
interests and how these may affect individuals on

4. What is Autism?
 Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)- Autism/ Asperger’s/ Pathological
Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA),
 Causes-Developmental delay/Dysfunction brain/ new research/Genetic
involvement (complex),
 Social,
 Sensory,
 Combination learning difficulties,
 More boys than girls,
 Triad of Impairment

5. Autism
A is for Autism Video
 List obsessive behaviours shown in the video.
 List obsessive interests shown in the video.
 List areas of sensory difficulty.
 List areas of difficulty mentioned at school/ nursery.
5

6. The Triads of impairment:
Children and young people with Autism exhibit , to a greater degree
a Triad of Impairment which is a defining characteristic of Autism.
Implications of learning:
 Language/ communication
Language impairment across all models of communication (Speech,
intonation, gesture, facial expression and other body language)
 Social
Difficulties with social relationships, poor social timing, lack of social
empathy, rejection of normal body contact.
 Rigidity and inflexibility of thought process (Imagination)
Resistance to change, obsessional and ritualistic behaviour.
(Lorna Wing)

7. Summary:
Qs?