There are, however, three main areas of difficulty always linked with autism which include:

• Social communication
• Social interaction
• Rigid and repetitive behaviours

To be diagnosed with autism a person must show significant difficulties in all three of these areas.

Social communication

People with autism have difficulties with both verbal and non-verbal language. Many have a very literal understanding of language, and think people always mean exactly what they say. They can find it difficult to use or understand:

• facial expressions or tone of voice
• jokes and sarcasm
• common phrases and sayings

Some people with autism may not speak, or have fairly limited speech. They will usually understand what other people say to them, but prefer to use alternative means of communication themselves, such as sign language or visual symbols.

Others will have good language skills, but they may still find it hard to understand the give-and-take nature of conversations, perhaps repeating what the other person has just said (echolalia) or talking at length about their own interests.

It helps if other people speak in a clear, consistent way and give people with autism time to process what has been said to them (The National Autistic Society).

Social interaction

People with autism often have difficulty recognising or understanding other people’s emotions and feelings, and expressing their own, which can make it more difficult for them to fit in socially. They may:

• not understand the unwritten social rules which most of us pick up without thinking: they may stand too close to another person for example, or start an inappropriate subject of conversation
• appear to be insensitive because they have not recognised how someone else is feeling
• prefer to spend time alone rather than seeking out the company of other people
• not seek comfort from other people
• appear to behave ‘strangely’ or inappropriately, as it is not always easy for them to express feelings, emotions or needs.

Difficulties with social interaction can mean that people with autism find it hard to form friendships: some may want to interact with other people and make friends, but may be unsure how to go about this (The National Autistic Society).

Rigid and repetitive behaviour

These behaviours are noticeably unusual to anyone watching and an example could be lining up toy cars rather than playing with them or physically rocking themselves. A person with autism will find it difficult to cope with change and likes things to stay the same so they are familiar with the routine and knows what will happen next.

References:

The National Autistic Society  www.autism.org.uk

Rachel Harrison, speech and language therapist

Integrated Treatment Services