Students on the Autism Spectrum- ASD

Indicators that your child/teenager may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

• Anxiety; a common trait
• Aggression; when overwhelmed
• Difficulty reading social cues; facial expressions, body language, tone of voice and personal space or boundaries
• Lacks social skills; , difficulty making friends, taking turns and listening to others
• Obsessive interest(s); conversations are dominated by and limited to favourite topic(s)
• Follow rules and set routines; difficulty accepting changes in their environment; routines and rules provide a sense of security
• Sensory overload; become heightened
• Speech patterns; may speak in monotonous tone, echolalia (parroting),
• Take literal meaning in conversations and may miss the intent

AUniqueTISM

Although people on the ASD spectrum may present common characteristics, it’s worthwhile noting that each person will have their own unique traits.

However, if coupled with a co-diagnosis, a young person will present with a wider range of symptoms that will also need to be considered when planning their educational program. Some common co-diagnoses include:

• ADHD
• Intellectual disability

1. Verification of a disability, ASD in this case, is a criterion for access to NDIS funding.
2. NDIS funding helps parents employ the services of relevant health care workers such as a psychologist, occupational therapist and/or speech pathologist. The health care worker will assess and generate a report that outlines goals and accommodations to support your child’s needs.
3. For schools, a disability verification will result in learning intervention. A student’s identified disability category will attract a corresponding level of school support that addresses their functional needs and, in turn, will result in effective learning.