Autism and Behaviour Luke Beardon

Autism and Behaviour Behaviour always makes sense Why wouldn't you? Challenging behaviour challenges others - not the person with autism Is it really that bad?

Possible Causes It's fun Form of communication Frustration Lack of control / no perceived alternative Lack of global stability Sensory

Autism and Dysphoria High levels of anxiety – as norm Increased anxiety states for specific reasons Global levels of high anxiety due to environmental factors Possible as high as 90% of individuals have a recognisable anxiety disorder

Secondary Psychiatric Disorders Not a primary mental illness Result of environmental factors High level in people with Autism compared to peer groups Better support should lead to a better prognosis and reduction in secondary conditions

Direct learning vs Indirect learning Learning Processes Direct learning vs Indirect learning Examples of indirect learning / development: Theory of Mind Social skills Social cues Non verbal communication

Verbal Communication Accurate interpretation Metaphor / sarcasm / irony Need for accuracy / lack of tautology Echolalia / palilalia / delayed echolalia Delayed processing Expressive vs receptive skills

Non Verbal Communication Prosody Facial expression Body posture Inference Contextual information

Social Skills Recognising the ‘unwritten rules’ Assessing situations Reacting appropriately to the PNT social circumstance Adapting social skills to the PNT situation

Theory of Mind Alexithymia Mentalising abilities Empathy Trust Appearance of rudeness

Executive Functioning Planning Impulse control Sequencing Scripting

Central Coherence Identifying the pattern or underlying rules Attention to detail Knowing what is relevant and redundant Recognising the 'big picture' 1

Can be socially inappropriate OBSESSIONS Can be socially inappropriate Need boundaries around obsessive behaviour Must recognise that obsessive behaviours can be used as coping mechanisms Obsessions may be misinterpreted 4

Sensory Differences Neuro-physiological differences in filtering processes Can have major impact on behaviour Environmental aspects can influence 1

Hypothesis - resistance to change Individuals with Autism have significantly lower ‘stability rates’ in their day to day lives than the neurotypical This may lead, in part, to an explanation of ‘resistance to change’

Stability Dependent on: Communication Understanding other people Social awareness Predictability Fulfilled expectations Shared sensory environment Stability

Bullying Individuals with Autism are highly vulnerable: don't 'fit in' will not necessarily follow traditional social convention (fashion, etc.) problems with adhering to social rules within society (classroom, playtime, employment, social arenas, etc.) communication problems poor PNT ToM

Ethics, Morality, and Normalisation It is essential that individuals with Autism are treated with respect for their way of thinking and behaving, and that ‘normal’ value bases are not enforced upon them 1

Contact Dr Luke Beardon Senior lecturer in Autism The Autism Centre Sheffield Hallam University L.Beardon@shu.ac.uk