Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how people communicate and interact with others. It is not an illness but a spectrum of differences.
Common behaviours for children with autism
Some of the main signs that your child may have autism are:
- carrying out activities in a repetitive way, for example always playing the same game in the same way, or repeatedly lining toys up in a particular order
- resistance to change or doing things differently
- differences with social interaction and social communication
- behaviour such as biting, pinching, kicking, pica (putting inedible items in the mouth), or self-injury
- stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements
Meltdowns and shutdowns
Exposure to sensory stimuli may make someone feel completely overwhelmed, which can lead to a meltdown.
Autistic children or young people can experience anxiety and may find dealing with situations and sensory input painful and distressing. For example, noise, smells and bright lights. They may become overwhelmed and experience a meltdown or shutdown.
Shutdowns are also caused by sensory overload and anxiety.
During these times, the person becomes still, unable to communicate or move. This is also known as a ‘freeze’ situation.
If a person is having a meltdown or a shutdown, you can:
- provide reassurance about the situation
- try to create a quiet, safe space
- ask people to move along and not to stare
- move away from bright lights or sirens
Some autistic people may show signs of distress before having a meltdown.
This is sometimes referred to as the ‘rumble stage’.
Calming strategies such as putting on headphones or ear defender may help to prevent reaching the meltdown stage.
Sensory sensitivities
People with neurodiverse conditions may feel overwhelmed due to sensory overload.
This may present itself in different ways such as repetitive behaviour, rocking or repeating words.
Children and adults with neurodiverse conditions may not feel the cold, heat, or pain in the same way others do.
They may show an unusual pain response that could include laughter, humming, singing and removing their clothes.
Some autistic people find it difficult to tell others what they’re afraid of. This can lead to extreme avoidance of a situation.
For example, someone might refuse to go to a place after experiencing the noise and confusion of a smoke alarm and fire drill. As a result, people with sensory sensitivity:
- may not like the feel of certain materials (example: a blanket)
- may be sensitive to smells
- may seek out fire
- may have strong reactions to sirens or flashing lights
- may not feel pain
- may not allow you to touch them
