Frequently
Asked Questions about
Autism Spectrum Disorders |
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How common are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
What is the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Can Autism Spectrum Disorders be inherited?
Are Autism Spectrum Disorders associated
with other disorders?
How do Autism Spectrum Disorders affect
the family?
How does it affect brothers and sisters?
Do people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
have special abilities?
What is the outlook for a person with
an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Do people grow out of it?
Can Autism Spectrum Disorders be cured?
Do people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
get married?
Can people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
live independently?
Where will my child go to school?
Where will he/she get a job?
How do you tell someone that they have an
Autism Spectrum Disorder?
How
common are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Although
figures for the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders differ
from study to study, most research indicates that:
- autism
occurs in approximately 1-2 in every 1,000 people
- Asperger
syndrome occurs in at least 1 in every 500 people
More
males are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder than
females:
- There are
4 males diagnosed with autism for each female diagnosed
- There are
10 males diagnosed with Asperger syndrome for each female
diagnosed.
The
reason for the increased incidence in males is unknown but
researchers believe that the answer may be genetic.
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What
is the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders?
No single
cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders has been discovered.
It is believed that the difficulties of Autism Spectrum
Disorders are biological in origin and that there is abnormality
in the brain which is probably caused by a combination of
factors. These factors can include genetics, viral infections
or complications during pregnancy. Other potential causes
such as environmental toxins, diet and the effect of MMR
(Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccinations are also being investigated.
Autism
Spectrum Disorders are not:
- The result
of emotional deprivation or emotional stress
- A withdrawal
into fantasy life
- A wilful
desire to avoid social contact
- Caused
by parental rejection or lack of interaction
- A mental
illness
- "Misunderstood
genius", although some individuals with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder do have savant abilities (i.e. special
skills in particular areas)
- A new phenomenon
- the first ‘medical’ accounts of Autism Spectrum
Disorders were written as long ago as the 18th
century.
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Can
Autism Spectrum Disorders be inherited?
Although most
siblings of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder develop
normally, it has been estimated that between 2 - 7% of families
with one child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have two
children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder or related difficulties
(e.g. language disorder). It has been reported that the
incidence of having two children may be as high as 9% but
this figure relates to autism only. It has also been reported
that there is a 2 - 3% chance of having a secondary relative
(e.g. cousin) with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Are
Autism Spectrum Disorders associated with other disorders?
Autism Spectrum
Disorders are sometimes associated with other disorders
that include Fragile X, Tuberous Sclerosis, Down syndrome,
Tourette syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, language
disorder, Deficits in Attention, Motor Control, and Perception
(DAMP), Attention Deficit Disorder (with and without hyperactivity)
and Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Around
30% of people with autism have epilepsy. Approximately 75%
of people with autism have an intellectual disability. There
is also an increased incidence of mental health difficulties
such as anxiety and depression, particularly during adolescence.
People diagnosed
with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-Not Otherwise
Specified and Rett syndrome have similar characteristics
but do not fulfil the criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome.
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How
do Autism Spectrum Disorders affect the family?
Having a child
with a disability can have a significant effect on parents.
Parents may react to the diagnosis in a variety of ways
including relief, shock, grief, anger and/or guilt. The
upbringing of the child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
can place enormous pressure and strain on the parents, brothers,
sisters and extended family (e.g. grandparents). As social
activities and everyday outings can be extremely difficult,
it is important for families to seek out support.
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How
does it affect brothers and sisters?
Studies have
shown that while having a brother or sister with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder can be stressful, difficult and sometimes
embarrassing, it can also be rewarding, positive and enriching.
Offering age appropriate information, openly discussing
fears and other emotions, spending special time with each
child, and balancing household responsibilities so that
the child does not become a ‘parent’, can help
siblings adjust to having a brother or sister with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder.
Challenges
for siblings may include:
- feeling
the need to compete for parents’ attention
- becoming
over attentive to the child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
in an effort to gain parents’ approval
- striving
to be the "good kid" and feeling under pressure
to achieve or never get into trouble because their parents
have enough to cope with
- feeling
guilty that they are not the one with the disability or
that they may somehow have contributed to the disability
- feeling
embarrassment or anger at having a sibling with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder, especially when they reach adolescence
and have a need to fit in with their peers.
Brothers and
sisters of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder often:
- develop
a deep sense of family commitment
- are more
mature than their peers
- are more
compassionate and tolerant of other people’s differences
- are supportive
and protective of their sibling and are proud of their
achievements.
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Do
people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have special abilities?
Some people
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder can perform well in particular
areas. Drawing, music, calendar calculation and memory are
the most common skills. These savant talents represent a
very small percentage of people with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
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What
is the outlook for a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
This varies
considerably and is influenced by cognitive and verbal skills,
and by education and management programs. Children with
an Autism Spectrum Disorder generally grow up to be adults
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Education, support and
advocacy may need to continue throughout adulthood and behaviours
and skills can improve and develop over time.
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Do
people grow out of it?
It is just
as difficult to predict the potential of a child with an
Autism Spectrum Disorder as it is to predict the potential
of a typically developing child. However, most people with
an Autism Spectrum Disorder will require support of varying
levels throughout life. The range of outcomes is very varied.
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Can
Autism Spectrum Disorders be cured?
Extensive
research continues in search of a cure for Autism Spectrum
Disorders. With appropriate support people with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder can develop many skills and abilities
throughout their life. Intervention should be implemented
as early as possible in order to maximise development.
Different
types of intervention approaches available include: sensory
integration, alternative and augmentative communication,
speech and language therapy, facilitated communication,
music therapy, play therapy, behavioural interventions,
vitamins and supplements, nutritional approaches, academic
support and social skill interventions.
Structured
and specific educational and developmental programs that
address the difficulties experienced by people with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder remain the most effective treatment to
date. With increased opportunities for early intervention,
improved educational and training programs, supportive employment
programs for people with disabilities and community living
programs, the long-term outlook for people with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder appears to be improving.
Effective
programs tend to include early and intensive structured
intervention, the support of family members, a holistic
approach to intervention, flexible behaviour management
techniques, recognition of sensory issues, and the use of
visual strategies.
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Do
people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder get married?
One of the
primary difficulties of Autism Spectrum Disorders is developing
social relationships and intimacy. The majority of people
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder struggle with developing
meaningful relationships and may find them very stressful.
However, some people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have
successful marriages or intimate relationships.
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Can
people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder live independently?
When provided
with appropriate support and experiences, many individuals
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are able to live independent
lives, while others can live semi-independently, requiring
support from their family, specialist services and/or support
workers.
With suitable
intervention programs people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
can develop skills that facilitate independence.
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Where
will my child go to school?
A range of
educational options are available for children with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Within South Australia, there are independent
schools, Catholic Schools and state schools (Department
of Education and Children’s Services). About one third
of students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder attend mainstream
schooling and access the regular curriculum. A further one
third attend special small classes in a variety of settings
and the remaining third of students attend special schools.
Processes such as Negotiated Education Plans ensure that
parents and their child’s school have opportunities
to work together to ensure the best educational outcomes
for the child.
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Where
will he/she get a job?
A range of
options are available to people upon leaving school including:
- Open
employment
- Supported
employment, e.g. sheltered workshops
- Further
education at TAFE
- Enrolment
at Universities
- Day activities
for people who are unable to work.
Adults with
an Autism Spectrum Disorder can be very good workers excelling
in jobs that require precision and accuracy rather than
speed and judgement. Some may become experts in their field
of interest. Adults with autism may be supported in employment
in a range of settings (e.g. offices, hospitals, medical
laboratories, libraries) where their special skills and
interests can be accommodated.
Within South
Australia, Centrelink operates as the initial contact point
for assistance with job seeking. Assessments are conducted
that will determine support needs and access to the Job
Placement Network or Specialist Disability Employment Services.
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How
do you tell someone that they have an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
There is no
fixed age and no fixed way to tell someone that they have
an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It depends very much on the
individual’s age, their level of awareness and their
need to know. Telling an individual about the diagnosis
is not completed in a single conversation. It is a long-term
process and may bring out a variety of responses ranging
from denial to relief. Specialised support and counselling
may be required to assist the individual and others through
this process.
There are
a number of benefits in telling the individual and others
about the diagnosis. These may include:
- Having
a diagnosis and information about the disorder can assist
with understanding the feelings of being different
- Understanding
the specific needs of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
provides an opportunity to focus on strengths related
to the disability
- Explaining
to teachers or fellow students can result in a better
understanding of the individual’s capabilities and
facilitate greater inclusion. The same holds true for
employment settings.
However, providing
information about the diagnosis can result in an individual
feeling vulnerable and being the subject of teasing, bullying
and/or discrimination. Individual circumstances must be
considered when it comes to telling others about the diagnosis.
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