Autistic Spectrum Disorders & Mental Health
Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Autistic spectrum disorder is a term used to describe a set of symptoms and behaviors which can affect how those affected understand and react to the world around them. There are three different types of symptoms which can affect those with ASD:
- Non-verbal and verbal communication can be very difficult. People with an ASD can have difficulty understanding others and communicating themselves. Children with ASD can have problems learning to speak and some do not develop speech. There are other methods which people can use to communicate.
- Social understanding and behavior can be difficult for those with ASD. It can be difficult to understand the behavior of others and/or how to act themselves in a social situation. It can be hard to empathize with others and understand social contexts meaning it can be hard for children with ASD to play and communicate with other children.
- Imagining, thinking and behaving flexibly can also be a problem so children with ASD often spend more time playing alone. Toys and activities which a child likes can be pursued obsessively. Change can be difficult to cope with and a routine is very important for those with ASD.
It can be common for those with ASD to develop mental health problems due to the effects that their disorder can have on their life and problems it can cause when communicating with others. We will take a look at some of these in the next section.
