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Understanding Autism

Upon your loved one’s diagnosis, it is important to seek more information on their condition, its implications, and available interventions. This can help you plan and care for your loved one.

  Key Points

  • Autism is a range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by difficulties in communication and social interaction, sensitivity to sensory stimulation, and repetitive behaviour. There is a wide range in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.  
  • Autism has no known causes. It is not a result of parenting styles or vaccines.
  • Before meeting the doctor, prepare the relevant information and questions. 

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how an individual perceives the world, thinks, behaves, communicates, and interacts with others. It is characterised by challenges in social interaction and communication1 and sometimes motor skills2 which can affect the individual’s ability to perform various activities of daily living.

Diagnosis typically occurs in early childhood, although it may also occur later in life. In such cases, individuals may have been previously misdiagnosed with other conditions such as attention deficit disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder3.

Autism has no known cause. Research suggests that it develops from a combination of genetic, non-genetic and environmental influences. It is important to note that autism is not caused by parenting styles or vaccines4. 

No two individuals with autism are the same, so it is important to learn about how autism affects your loved one’s everyday functioning and how you can support them.

Characteristics of autism

Other common characteristics of autism include:

  • Sensory sensitivities
  • Repetitive behaviour
  • Narrow interests
  • Difficulties coping with changes in schedule or routine, and dealing with new information

Communicating with the doctor

To better understand your loved one's condition, here is what you can prepare before meeting a doctor:

Relevant information5
  1. Observations of your loved one’s behaviours and responses at home and in public, describing in detail irregular behaviours and activities.
  2. Your loved one’s current and past health issues.

Questions you can ask

  1. What is the diagnosis?
  2. What are the interventions available and their objectives? How will you measure progress?
  3. Are there any other issues associated with this condition?
  4. Are there any restrictions on your loved one’s activities?
  5. What can you do next to help your loved one?
  6. How can you help your loved one improve their communication skills?
Tip: Clarify unfamiliar and technical terms with the doctor. 
 

 Resources

Understand The Basics of Autism Tackle the Myths and Facts of Autism Learn More About Autism Through this Video

Footnotes:

1https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/autism-spectrum-disorder-communication-problems-children#:~:text=Children%20with%20ASD%20may%20have,eye%20contact%2C%20and%20facial%20expressions

2https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/motor-skills-1#:~:text=autistic%20children%20often%20have%20difficulties,2002)

3https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/adult-diagnosed-on-autism-spectrum

4https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/autistic-spectrum-disorder-child/causes-risk-factors

5https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hearing-loss-questions#1

  Key Points

  • There are various types of support available for persons with autism, such as early intervention and assistive technology.

Before selecting an appropriate intervention for your loved one, you can seek professional advice on the options and their costs and implications. Learn more about these interventions, including how assistive technology (AT) can help your loved one.

Early intervention programmes (such as the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC)) can help young children with autism maximise their developmental growth potential and acquire necessary skills, such as communication, social skills, mobility, etc. Specialists will conduct a developmental assessment and customise an intervention programme for your loved one based on their level of functioning and abilities. Depending on your loved one’s needs and abilities, they can enrol in either a Special Education (SPED) school or mainstream primary school from the age of seven.

Interventions may be costly, so it is important to plan your finances or seek financial aid before making a decision.

Actions to take

 Resources

Watch This Video to Get Autism Tips: Early Childhood InterventionWatch more on Parents’ Role in Autism as

  Key Points

  • It is important to maintain consistency in your loved one’s routines where possible, prepare them for changes in advance and set aside time for communication.
  • There are organisations in Singapore dedicated to supporting persons with autism.

To care for your loved one with autism6:

  1. Maintain consistency.
    • Your loved one may have trouble adjusting to changes in routines and environments. These may cause them anxiety, frustration, and result in emotional outbursts.
    • Establishing consistency in their daily routines and environment helps your loved one feel more independent and secure.

  2. Prepare them for changes.
    • Share about upcoming changes (e.g., moving house, changing school) with your loved one as early as possible to give them more time to adapt to the change. You can use social stories to help.
    • Allow your loved one to bring along comfort items or use positive distractions to help them navigate the change more smoothly.

  3. Set aside time for communication7.
    • As your loved one may need more time to process what has been said before they can respond, it is essential to set aside sufficient time to communicate with them, and to do so patiently.
    • When speaking, be as literal, clear, and direct as possible. Avoid figures of speech and abstract language that may be difficult to understand.
    • Observe your loved one’s nonverbal cues and find other ways to connect with them, beyond speech.

You can approach the following organisations for additional support:

  1. Autism Association (Singapore)
  2. Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)
  3. Rainbow Centre
  4. St. Andrew’s Autism Centre

Supporting your loved one in their building of functional skills such as social skills, community living and self-care8 will enable them to live more independently.

 Resources

Help Your Loved One Get the Right Support

Footnotes:

6http://www.intellectualdisability.info/mental-health/articles/behaviour-management

7https://opensystemshealthcare.com/caring-adults-with-autism-asd/

8https://www.thoughtco.com/functional-skills-for-students-independence-3110835 and https://autismspectrumnews.org/functional-skills-training-for-individuals-with-autism-spectrum-disorders/

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