Diploma level 5 HSC
Unit 547
Promote good practice in the support of individuals with autistic spectrum conditions.
1. Understand how the different and evolving theories about autism reflect the complexity of autistic spectrum conditions
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.
It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
Some people live with autism for their entire life without ever getting a formal diagnosis. Often this is simply because autism wasn 't widely known or understood when they were growing up. For adults, a diagnosis of autism can help to explain why they have always found certain things difficult. For children, it can mean that the right support is put in place from an early age.
Autism has been described as a ‘hidden’ or ‘invisible’ disability. Although historically associated with intellectual disability, it is now thought that most people with ASC will be within the normal range of IQ. Whatever the label used, the complexity of the autistic spectrum often renders it easier to misunderstand than it is to recognise. These difficulties, which can make access to services problematic, are further complicated by the generic nature of many services and the fragmented way they view and respond to ASC.
Promote good practice in the support of individuals with autistic spectrum conditions.
1. Understand how the different and evolving theories about autism reflect the complexity of autistic spectrum conditions
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.
It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
Some people live with autism for their entire life without ever getting a formal diagnosis. Often this is simply because autism wasn 't widely known or understood when they were growing up. For adults, a diagnosis of autism can help to explain why they have always found certain things difficult. For children, it can mean that the right support is put in place from an early age.
Autism has been described as a ‘hidden’ or ‘invisible’ disability. Although historically associated with intellectual disability, it is now thought that most people with ASC will be within the normal range of IQ. Whatever the label used, the complexity of the autistic spectrum often renders it easier to misunderstand than it is to recognise. These difficulties, which can make access to services problematic, are further complicated by the generic nature of many services and the fragmented way they view and respond to ASC.