Autism Spectrum Disorder

A defining feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a deficit in social communication, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. An individual who has social communication difficulties without repetitive and/or restrictive patterns of behaviour is said to have Social Communication Disorder (SCD). It should also be noted that difficulties with social communication can also occur alongside of other developmental difficulties such as a language impairment, learning disability, speech sound disorder, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In general, social skills are learned naturally and evolve with different experiences but for learners with ASD, these social skills are harder to acquire and build up.

Supporting social communication for people with autism includes:

• Direct and explicit instruction accompanied by practice in realistic settings
• Focus on timing and attention
• Support for enhancing communication and sensory integration
  
• Learning about important social outcomes, such as friendship
  
• Support for cognitive and language abilities

   (Social Skills and Autism, Autism Speaks, https://www.autismspeaks.org/social-skills-and-autism)

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