What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong neurological disorder characterised by difficulties in communication and social skills. All children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder demonstrate deficits in:

• Social interaction
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
• Repetitive behaviours or interests

In addition, they will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences, such as certain sounds or the way objects look. Each of these symptoms will run the gamut from mild to severe. They will present in each individual child differently. Autism can affect children with any level of intellectual ability, from those who are profoundly learning disabled, to those with average or high intelligence. Although there are many concerns about labelling a young child with ASD, the earlier a diagnosis is made, the earlier needed interventions can begin. ‘Evidence over the last 15 years indicates that intensive early intervention in optimal educational settings for at least 2 years during the preschool years results in improved outcomes in most young children with ASD’. (Margaret Stock, 2004) Stock, Margaret (2004) Autism Spectrum Disorders, NIMH, Bethesda, MD, USA.

What is a Communication Disability?

ICAN, the National charity, has adopted the term 'communication disability' to cover the problems faced by 1.2 million children and young people who cannot express themselves, understand others or build relationships. They believe a specific term is required to make the issue easier to understand and talk about and they hope that others will adopt it. Communication is fundamental for learning and development. Children and young people with a communication disability cannot express themselves, understand others or build relationships because of problems in one or more of these areas:

• Understanding and finding the right words
• Producing, ordering and discriminating between speech sounds
• Using rules about how words, phrases and sentences are formed to convey meaning
• Using and understanding language in different social contexts

One in ten children and young people struggle with this invisible disability. Without the right help, at the right time, they will be left out and left behind. Children at Puzzle sometimes have a specific communication difficulty in addition to or separately from an autistic spectrum disorder.

What is a Learning Disability?

Learning disabilities are the most common form of childhood impairment. The term ‘learning disability’ is very wide and covers any development that is significantly behind what is expected for a particular age. A learning disability may occur on its own or in addition to other difficulties such as autism. Children at Puzzle may have a learning disability ranging from significant to very mild in addition to autism or other communication difficulties.