Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of problems that share some core features, including difficulties with social interaction, language, communication, and the presence of restrictive or repetitive patterns of behaviour. Once thought to be quite rare, ASD is now recognized to affect approximately one percent of the population. Autism symptoms can vary widely in severity. People with more severe autism can have profound impairment in intellectual and language functioning.
People with ASD can be intelligent and successful. However, they often struggle with and are frustrated in their interactions with others due to problems with:
- Delayed development of motor skills
- Social communication skills
- Social problem-solving skills
- Lack of understanding of abstract meaning in language such as humour, or taking perspective
- Obsessiveness
- Sensitivity to sounds, light, or textures
People with ASD experience difficulties and stress because they lack a number of important skills. Fortunately, skills are teachable and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help people to learn:
- The unspoken rules of social situations and interactions
- Communication skills
- How to get and stay organized
- How to manage their stress and mood
- To build stronger and more satisfying relationships
- To live a more full life with or without other people
The symptoms of ASD often occur along with other problems. A proper and thorough differential diagnostic assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist is the first step towards effective help.
