Autism - Description & Background

What is Autism? ››

What Causes Autism? ››

The History of Autism ››

The Triad of Impairments

The Continuum ››

Sensory Issues ››

Approaches ››

The Triad of Impairments
People with Autism have problems in three significant areas known as the Triad of Impairment. These areas involve, social interaction, communication and imagination. Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. The person may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Communication is often described as talking at others (for example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

1. Impairments of Social Interaction
 A. The Aloof Group
This is the most common type of social impairment. behaviour may include:

• Behaving as if other people don't exist
• Little or no eye contact
• No response when spoken to
• Face empty of expression except when there is extreme joy, anger, or distress
• No response to cuddling
• If something is wanted, a person's hand may be pulled towards the object
• May respond to rough and tumble play well, but when the play stops, there is a return to the aloof pattern
• Seems to be in a world of their own

 B. The Passive Group
This is the least common group. Behaviour may include:

• The child accepts social approaches
• May meet the gaze of others
• May become involved as a passive part of a game 

C. The Active But Odd Group
Children of this group make active approaches to others, but make contact in strange ways, including:

• Paying no attention to the other party
• Poor eye contact although sometimes may stare too long
• May hug or shake hands too hard
  

D. The Over-Formal, Stilted Group
Seen in later life, this behaviour is common in the more able persons with autism. The following behaviours may be displayed:

• Excessively polite and formal
• Have a good level of language
• Tries very hard to stick to the rules of social interaction without really understanding them
   

2. Impairments of Communication
Using Speech
Common speech problems include:

• Repeating words spoken to them (echolalia)
• Asking for things by repeating a phrase they associate with the action ("Do you want a cup of tea" instead of "I want a cup of tea")
• Missing linking words in sentences, such as "in" "on" "because" "under", so a person may say: "go car shop."
• Explaining in greater detail than is needed
• Long replies to questions spoken as if learnt from a book

Understanding Speech
Difficulties arise in a number of situations:

• When objects have more than one meaning, such as with bowl (washing up or eating from)
• Confusion between the sound of a word, such as with meet and meat
• Literal interpretation can be a problem. What if you take "it's raining cats and dogs" literally?
• Humour, especially that which relates to a verbal play on words, can be difficult for a person with autism

Intonation and Voice Control
There are a number of characteristics that relate to the way speech is made which can be found in a person with autism:

• Problems with volume: sometimes too loud, often too quiet.
• The voice may sound mechanical or monotonous.
• Enunciation of words can be over-emphasised.

3. Impairments of Imagination
Simple repetitive stereotypical activities (simple, that may last until adulthood):

• Tasting, smelling, feeling or tapping different surfaces.Listening to mechanical noises, such as the washing machine.Switching lights on and off.
• Spinning objects.
• Head Banging.

Complex repetitive stereotypical behaviour:

• A complex sequence of body movements.
• Placing objects in long lines that can't be moved.
• Extensive bedtime routines.
• Attachments to strange objects, such as pieces of string or leaves.
• In more able autistic people, fascination with the weather, timetables, numbers, etc.
• Many of the above do not extend into adulthood, but fascination with numbers and sequences can often continue.

Responses to sensory stimuli

• They may not react to a very loud noise but will respond to a favourite sound.
• They may display unusual abilities to move and find objects in near darkness, and some may show distress when exposed to bright lights.
• Sensitivities to smell, taste, and certain textures, and may display an indifference to pain.
  

Inappropriate Behaviours

• Confusion and fear of unfamiliar circumstances.
• Restlessness, destructive and aggressive behaviour can occur.
• Screaming and difficult behaviour in public.
• If they see what they consider to be a ugly or fat person, they very well may point this out!

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