Autism is a disorder that affects the social and communication skills of an individual. This is typically known as the triad of autistic impairments it is recognised by the individual’s ability to:
Use affective communication
And their imagination skills
Plus in many individuals on the spectrum there are marked sensory processing issues which can affect how many individuals on the spectrum use their senses (taste, smell, touch, sound and sight).
Many children with an ASD will also display obsessive and repetitive behaviours, will prefer routines and can become anxious if these routines change.
Children with an ASD also present difficulties with non-verbal as well as verbal communication. A child with autism will have difficulties understanding the communication and language used by those around them as well difficulties in developing effective communication themselves.
Unlike typically developing children that learn social skills naturally, a child with autism will struggle. For many parents probably the hardest challenge they face is their child’s difficulty to understand the social behaviour of others. A child with autism will have difficulties displaying and understanding appropriate socially accepted behaviours.
Generally most individuals on the spectrum do not process information in the same manner as typically developing beings. The opinions and thoughts of other are of no real consequence for individuals on the spectrum, which can cause frustrations and upset.
Consequently, understanding autism spectrum disorders can be frustrating and stressful for those involved in the everyday care of an individual on the spectrum.
Research shows us however that although there is no cure for autism there are various treatments of autism that are available that can help overcome triad of autistic impairments.
Various treatments of autism like social skills stories work effectively addressing the triad of autistic impairments. They do this by showing the autistic child what to expect in certain situations or what is expected of them which reduces stress and helps control anxieties.
By answering the ever important “wh” questions – who, where, why, when and what as well as giving an insight into the thoughts and feelings of others a social skills stories visually explain using images and relevant social cues the skill or situation. All helping an autistic child to better understand and cope with the skill or situation that
They may be struggling with.
To find a greater understanding: Let’s talk autism – autism social stories and see how social skills stories can help address some of the issues faced by children with an ASD visit sites: