1 ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorders) Youth Justice Project 2010/2011

2 Social Functioning Language and Communication

3 Triad of Impairments social imagination social communication social interaction

4 What is ASD? The autistic spectrum (Wing & Gould,1979) contains children and adults with a wide range of intellectual ability and autistic impairments. Severe impairmentsModerate impairmentsMild impairments May be accompanied by Learning Difficulties May be in the absence of Learning Difficulties

5 Prevalence 2-10 cases per 1,000 growing at a rate of percent per year Autism spectrum disorders more common in males than females (4:1 ratio). Usually identified before 30 months No racial or socioeconomic differences There are over half a million people in the UK with autism - around 1 in 100 people. (NAS estimate)

6 Asperger syndrome Asperger Syndrome (AS) – a subgroup within the autistic spectrum – share the features of autism but without the associated learning difficulties (normal or even above average IQ) –Starts developing language at a typical age

7 Social Imagination

8 Social Communication

9 Social Interaction

Language and Communication May speak clearly and use long sentences BUT May be difficulties with: Using and understanding body language Understanding jokes, sarcasm, idioms Two way conversation Words with more than one meaning 10

11 Other related characteristics: Love of routines

12 Sensory Sensitivity

13 Special Interests

14 Attention, Concentration Planning and regulating Interpretation in context Social significance Words, sounds, Memory and sequencing Attention Deficit Disorder Dyslexia Dyspraxia Spatial Awareness Motor-skills and co-ordination Autistic Spectrum Disorders SLCN ASD and Learning Difficulties

15 Cambridge AS Checklist I find social situations confusing I find it hard to make small talk I tend to turn any conversation back onto myself or my own topic of interest I am good at picking up details and facts I find it hard to work out what other people are thinking and feeling I can focus on certain things for very long periods People often say I was rude even when this was unintentional I have unusually strong, narrow interests I do certain things in a very inflexible, repetitive way I have always had difficulty making friends

16 Theories of ASD Theory of Mind Weak central coherence Extreme male brain theory

17 Theory of Mind Theory of Mind/Mindblindness/Mentalising (Review in – Baron-Cohen et al. 2000) Theory of mind is about having a concept of what other people think This involves implicit attribution of thoughts, wishes, feelings & beliefs. It is a vital aspect of human reciprocal interaction. Certain core social communication difficulties can be explained by a lack of intuitive “Theory of Mind”.

18 Consequences of poor ToM Slow learning of social conventions Slow learning of language Delay in learning shared meanings Delay in understanding others’ intentions Delay in understanding make-believe Delay in understanding deception Delay in understanding irony Related impairments seen in ASD: Poor emotion recognition. (Hobson, 1993) Poor face perception and memory. (Blair et al, 2002)

19 Consequences of poor ToM “… complained that he could not mind-read. Other people seemed to have a special sense by which they could read other people’s thoughts and could anticipate their responses and feelings; he knew this because they managed to avoid upsetting people whereas he was always putting his foot in it, not realising that he was doing or saying the wrong thing until after the other person became angry or upset.” (from Rutter, 1983)

20 Weak Central Coherence Frith (1989) Individuals with autism process information as collections of details in the absence of global meaning and context. (Frith and Happe, 1994). Happe (2000) - an impairment in the ability to ‘integrate information in context’ due to difficulties in forming meaningful connections between different items.

21 The Ebbinghaus Illusion (from Frith, 2003)

22 Embedded figures test (from Frith, 2003)

23 Extreme male brain theory Origins in the writings of Asperger (1944) later developed by Baron-Cohen and Hammer (1997). Based on two concepts, systemising and empathising. Systemising = understanding and predicting the law governed inanimate universe. Empathising = understanding and predicting the social world.

24 Extreme male brain theory Empathising: I am quick to spot when someone in a group is feeling awkward or uncomfortable. Systemising: In maths I am intrigued by the rules and patterns governing numbers.

25 Changes over time Set-backs possible Emotional upheavals Self awareness increasing –Consequent depression –High anxiety Improvements in social learning Continued support essential e.g. –light supervision –structured settings –continued control of anxiety Fast individualistic learning possible –Special talents –Hyperlexia –Anxiety, obsessions Niche occupations –Where special talents are appreciated

26 Famous people with Autistic traits Keanu Reeves Beethoven Jane Austen Woody Allen Bob Dylan

27 Useful contacts The National Autistic Society Dyspraxia Foundation ADHD