{"id":5976,"date":"2021-11-10T00:06:01","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T00:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/nl\/firparksecondaryblog\/?page_id=5976"},"modified":"2021-11-10T00:06:01","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T00:06:01","slug":"asd-and-communication","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/nl\/firparksecondaryblog\/asd-and-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"ASD AND COMMUNICATION"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>is autism?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
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\u00a0<\/span>Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that impacts on a person\u2019s social communication, social interaction styles, and how they perceive and process information about the world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Social communication, social interaction and how we process and experience the world has a fundamental impact on how we function and cope in everyday life. They are essential skills that help us develop friendships and relationships, understand our own and other peoples\u2019 emotions,\u00a0why people respond in a particular way, and cope with uncertainty and change. Autistic people experience differences in these areas, which can create stress,\u00a0confusion\u00a0and breakdowns in communication between autistic and non-autistic people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensory Processing Differences<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Many autistic people can also experience sensory processing differences\u00a0such as\u00a0heightened or lowered sensitivity to touch, noise, taste, smell, visual\u00a0information, body awareness and movement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>These differences can lead to stress and anxiety and may cause pain or discomfort. Autistic people describe their sensory processing differences as an important factor of their emotional wellbeing. It is important to recognise this and to try and build in positive sensory experiences into autistic peoples\u2019 everyday routines where possible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Emerging Ideas about Autism<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neurodiversity is a relatively new term, thought to have been coined in the 1990s by Judy Singer. It was originally used by the\u00a0autistic\u00a0community, who were keen to move away from the medical model and dispel the belief that\u00a0autism\u00a0is something to be treated and\u00a0cured, rather than an important and valuable part\u00a0of human diversity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The idea of neurodiversity has now been taken up by other groups, who are using the term, to empower and promote the positive qualities of those with a neurodevelopmental difference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The term neurodiversity usually refers to a range of specific learning differences including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n