Helping autistic children.
Why is it important to be able to recognise the signs of Autism in children? First and foremost, it can help parents, teachers and carers review and adapt the way they respond to a child’s behaviour. Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is commonly misunderstood and can be difficult to diagnose.
Our films about Autism in children help to demystify many assumptions about ASC. We learn that autism isn’t always easy to identify, especially in children who are very able. Boys may be compliant and delightful to educate when they’re younger but as they turn 9 or 10, they may find it difficult to manage relationships. Girls are particularly good at camouflaging to ‘mask’ their autism or the anxiety that often accompanies it. Initially, they may present more like suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Key facts about Autism in children:
- Autism in children is not a mental health disorder, it is a neurodevelopmental condition
- Autism spectrum condition (ASC), is the preferred name for what is formally known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- 70% of children with Autism spectrum condition (ASC) develop at least one co-occurring mental health issue, and 40% of these will develop more than one
- ASC in children varies widely, but typically affects three main areas of functioning: communication, social interaction and behaviour
What does it look like to have Autism?
Why have we created films about Autism in children? Trying to describe the intricacies of Autism in writing is problematic for a number of reasons; most notably because it doesn’t show the reality of what Autism in children really looks like. Children with this condition are not ill and they are capable of feeling emotion and empathy just as any children do. Some children with Autism are so socially aware, in fact, that they are masters of hiding their challenges from others.
Film about Autism Spectrum Condition in Children
In the film, we meet Summer, who admits she broke down in tears when she received her diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition. She says she held assumptions that people with autism were “robotic, like Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory TV show”! On the other hand, Summer’s mother felt relief at finally getting the right diagnosis. It’s clear that there is still much stigma attached to Autism in children. This is why it’s so important for people to better understand how the frustration of living with Autism may result in certain behaviours that might be negatively perceived without the right context.
Is it important to get an autism diagnosis?
An autism diagnosis is important because it can provide individuals, families, and educators with valuable information and support to help understand and address the unique needs of autistic individuals. A diagnosis can also help clarify if existing mental health issues might be related to autism and improve treatment. Furthermore, it can open doors to resources like support groups, therapies, and legal protections.
Watch our film about growing up with undiagnosed autism
Can girls be autistic?
Autism can sometimes be different in girls and boys. Because Asperger’s early research was into boys, and because autism in girls is more difficult to spot, girls have been historically underdiagnosed.
Autistic girls may:
- Hide some signs of autism by copying how other children behave and play
- Withdraw in situations they find difficult
- Appear to cope better with social situations
- Show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours
This means autism can be harder to spot in girls. Listen to this podcast where Alis Rocca talks to professor Barry Carpenter about girls and autism.
What’s it like parenting an autistic child?
Parenting a neurodivergent child can be an unexpected change in life’s trajectory, but also incredibly rewarding. We have a series of films in which parents recount their real-life parenting experiences:
Raising a child with Autism: Carrie and David
Damien – Autism, expectations and adapting
Usman and the quest for happiness
Never lose hope – Fathers of children with autism
Fathers on caring
Living with Autism: Dan and Charlie
We have a fact sheet on helpful tips about parenting a neurodivergent child.
Parenting and educating a neurodivergent child
And a podcast by Dr Bettina Hohnen on
how to parent and educate neuro-diverse brains effectively
Tips for Teachers of Autistic children
The films we have created about Autism in children provide a platform for those affected by the condition to share their personal accounts in a direct and unmediated way. It presents an engaging journey into what Autism spectrum condition is and the symptoms that often present alongside it.
Child Clinical and Educational Psychologists give a balanced overview of what Autism in children means for those who have the condition and the people who care for them. They also advise on this film on what to do if you think a child in your care has Autism.
The National Autistic Society has a useful page on the options for Autistic children in education
