1 ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorders) Youth Justice Project 2010/2011

2 Social Functioning Language and Communication

3 Triad of Impairments social imagination social communication social interaction

4 What is ASD? The autistic spectrum (Wing & Gould,1979) contains children and adults with a wide range of intellectual ability and autistic impairments. Severe impairmentsModerate impairmentsMild impairments May be accompanied by Learning Difficulties May be in the absence of Learning Difficulties

5 Prevalence 2-10 cases per 1,000 growing at a rate of percent per year Autism spectrum disorders more common in males than females (4:1 ratio). Usually identified before 30 months No racial or socioeconomic differences There are over half a million people in the UK with autism - around 1 in 100 people. (NAS estimate)

6 Asperger syndrome Asperger Syndrome (AS) – a subgroup within the autistic spectrum – share the features of autism but without the associated learning difficulties (normal or even above average IQ) –Starts developing language at a typical age

7 Social Imagination

8 Social Communication

9 Social Interaction

Language and Communication May speak clearly and use long sentences BUT May be difficulties with: Using and understanding body language Understanding jokes, sarcasm, idioms Two way conversation Words with more than one meaning 10

11 Other related characteristics: Love of routines

12 Sensory Sensitivity

13 Special Interests

14 Attention, Concentration Planning and regulating Interpretation in context Social significance Words, sounds, Memory and sequencing Attention Deficit Disorder Dyslexia Dyspraxia Spatial Awareness Motor-skills and co-ordination Autistic Spectrum Disorders SLCN ASD and Learning Difficulties

15 Cambridge AS Checklist I find social situations confusing I find it hard to make small talk I tend to turn any conversation back onto myself or my own topic of interest I am good at picking up details and facts I find it hard to work out what other people are thinking and feeling I can focus on certain things for very long periods People often say I was rude even when this was unintentional I have unusually strong, narrow interests I do certain things in a very inflexible, repetitive way I have always had difficulty making friends

16 Theories of ASD Theory of Mind Weak central coherence Extreme male brain theory

17 Famous people with Autistic traits Keanu Reeves Beethoven Jane Austen Woody Allen Bob Dylan

18 Useful contacts The National Autistic Society Dyspraxia Foundation ADHD