Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a term used to describe a group of lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorders marked by impairments in social interaction, impairments in communication and patterns of restricted, stereotyped or repetitive behaviour. ASD covers a broad range of intellectual ability, and some individuals have special areas of exceptional talent whilst others are severely disabled by the disorder and require a high level of support throughout their lives. A significant number of people have learning disabilities and many have mental health problems; anxiety and depression in particular.
The term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been used throughout this resource to refer to the range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism, Atypical Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Individuals on the spectrum and their families will vary in how they regard autism; some prefer to view it not so much as a disorder, but rather as a different way of thinking and viewing the world, hence preferring the term Autism Spectrum Condition to ASD and ‘difference’ to ‘impairment’.
Given the breadth of the spectrum and individual responses to terminology, we advise sensitivity to differences in how individuals and their families or carers wish to view themselves and how they wish to describe their autism.
Below are some leaflets containing further information which you may wish to download. Click each one of the links to download them as a PDF.
Select one of our featured Case Studies or click on the relevant sections to read more.
Age: 5
Condition: Asperger Syndrome: Sleep disruption; strategies for assessment and intervention
Read MoreAge: 7
Condition: Autism; Intellectual disability; non-verbal; smearing faeces; assessment and intervention
Read MoreAge: 7
Condition: Autism and profound intellectual disability; Routines; Feeding issues; Strategies
Read MoreAge: 3
Condition: Physical health (suspected infection); adjustments to practice; repetitive communication
Read MoreAge: 2
Condition: does not seem to show any recognition of his name nor the significant people
Read MoreAge: 2
Condition: ASD; limited communication; repetitive behaviour; physical examination; sensory issues; functional analysis
Read MoreAge: 10
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; Injuries; Pain thresholds; medical consultation; adjustments
Read MoreAge: 7
Condition: Autism; Verbally able; dental pain; communication; adjustments to practice
Read MoreAge: 16
Condition: ASD and moderate learning disability; Anxiety and impact on communication; adjustments to practice; involving care staff
Read MoreAge: 15
Condition: ASD; Severe intellectual disability; Masturbation; Functional assessment; intervention
Read MoreAge: 16
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; medical consultation; anxiety; adjustments to practice; practical strategies
Read MoreAge: 13
Condition: ASD; Limited expressive language; Communication systems; Eating concerns; Sensory aspects
Read MoreAge: 12
Condition: ASD & moderate learning disability; Medical concerns (allergic reaction); repetitive behaviour; Calming techniques; Adjustments to practice
Read MoreAge: 12
Condition: Down Syndrome; Co-morbid diagnosis; transitions and change; mental health
Read MoreAge: 11
Condition: Autism & mild learning disability; anxiety; sensory issues; dental consultation; adjustments to practice – preparation; graded approach
Read MoreAge: 43
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; Life changes (bereavement; loss of support); Daily Living Skills; Safety
Read MoreAge: 25
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; Anxiety; Adaptations to practice; mental health context
Read MoreAge: 34
Condition: ASD, Mild Learning disability; possible depression; communication issues; strategies
Read MoreAge: 25
Condition: Autism; limited expressive communication; Sensory sensitivity; Anxiety; obsessive behaviour; physical examination; adjustments to practice
Read MoreAge: 40
Condition: Asperger syndrome; physical health concerns; pain threshold; adjustments to practice
Read MoreAge: 45
Condition: Autism; Life changes/ transitions (unemployment); Depression; multi-disciplinary approach; case co-ordination
Read MoreAge: 30
Condition: Recent adult diagnosis; Asperger Syndrome; Diagnostic Pathway; Difficulties in adult communicating concerns about possible ASD; Missed diagnosis
Read MoreAge: 19
Condition: Later diagnosis; Increase in demands; Stress; Initial concerns about ASD in adulthood; diagnostic pathway
Read MoreAge: 25
Condition: Autism & learning disability; non verbal; OCD; Stress related eczema; medical consultation; support staff; adjustments to practice
Read MoreAge: 5
Condition: Asperger Syndrome: Sleep disruption; strategies for assessment and intervention
Age: 7
Condition: Autism; Intellectual disability; non-verbal; smearing faeces; assessment and intervention
Age: 7
Condition: Autism and profound intellectual disability; Routines; Feeding issues; Strategies
Age: 4
Condition: Transitions; anxiety; assessment and intervention
Age: 5
Condition: Passive, Isolated, Disciplinary issues
Age: 3
Condition: Physical health (suspected infection); adjustments to practice; repetitive communication
Age: 2
Condition: does not seem to show any recognition of his name nor the significant people
Age: 14
Condition: Severe Autism, Migraines, Speech disorder
Age: 13
Condition: Delayed diagnosis; Stress; Anxiety; Impact on family
Age: 5
Condition: Toileting; repetitive interests
Age: 2
Condition: ASD; limited communication; repetitive behaviour; physical examination; sensory issues; functional analysis
Age: 10
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; Injuries; Pain thresholds; medical consultation; adjustments
Age: 7
Condition: Autism; Verbally able; dental pain; communication; adjustments to practice
Age: 16
Condition: ASD and moderate learning disability; Anxiety and impact on communication; adjustments to practice; involving care staff
Age: 15
Condition: ASD; Severe intellectual disability; Masturbation; Functional assessment; intervention
Age: 16
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; medical consultation; anxiety; adjustments to practice; practical strategies
Age: 13
Condition: ASD; Limited expressive language; Communication systems; Eating concerns; Sensory aspects
Age: 12
Condition: ASD & moderate learning disability; Medical concerns (allergic reaction); repetitive behaviour; Calming techniques; Adjustments to practice
Age: 12
Condition: Down Syndrome; Co-morbid diagnosis; transitions and change; mental health
Age: 11
Condition: Autism & mild learning disability; anxiety; sensory issues; dental consultation; adjustments to practice – preparation; graded approach
Age: 43
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; Life changes (bereavement; loss of support); Daily Living Skills; Safety
Age: 25
Condition: Asperger Syndrome; Anxiety; Adaptations to practice; mental health context
Age: 20
Condition: Autism; anxiety in new situations; Adjustments to practice
Age: 34
Condition: ASD, Mild Learning disability; possible depression; communication issues; strategies
Age: 25
Condition: Autism; limited expressive communication; Sensory sensitivity; Anxiety; obsessive behaviour; physical examination; adjustments to practice
Age: 40
Condition: Asperger syndrome; physical health concerns; pain threshold; adjustments to practice
Age: 45
Condition: Autism; Life changes/ transitions (unemployment); Depression; multi-disciplinary approach; case co-ordination
Age: 30
Condition: Recent adult diagnosis; Asperger Syndrome; Diagnostic Pathway; Difficulties in adult communicating concerns about possible ASD; Missed diagnosis
Age: 19
Condition: Later diagnosis; Increase in demands; Stress; Initial concerns about ASD in adulthood; diagnostic pathway
Age: 25
Condition: Autism & learning disability; non verbal; OCD; Stress related eczema; medical consultation; support staff; adjustments to practice
Select one of our featured Case Studies or click on the relevant sections to read more.
<p>Gilbert is 5 years old and was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. His mother is concerned that Gilbert’s sleep is very disrupted. After sch...
Read More<p>Lilia is 7 years old and has a diagnosis of autism and learning disability. She is non-verbal but seems to understand much of what is said to her. ...
Read More<p>Simon is a 7 year-old boy with severe autism and profound learning disability. He relies on routines for security and will scream uncontrollably fo...
Read More<p>Daniel is four years old and attends a children’s centre. He has good language skills and does well academically, accessing all aspects of the earl...
Read More<p>Kimberley is five years old. She has been struggling to make friends at school, is very passive and isolated and has started refusing to go to scho...
Read More<p>Ellie, who is three, has come to clinic with a suspected ear infection. Ellie’s mum says that her daughter has been rocking rhythmically and clutch...
Read More<p>Arjinder is 27 months old and comes to the clinic with his Grandmother. Arjinder’s family are concerned because he does not turn towards the member...
Read More<p>Sun Li, who is five years old, has come to the clinic because he has not developed any anticipation of needing the toilet. Sun Li’s mum says her so...
Read More<p>Honey is a 30-month old child on the autism spectrum who attends the appointment with her childminder. She has been rubbing her eyes a lot and has ...
Read More<p>Natasha is a 14 year-old girl, diagnosed with severe autism who has speech consisting of single words and set phrases. She is able to communicate b...
Read More<p>Sam was late in being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. His mother had been aware of his difficulties relating to peers and being in a group situat...
Read More<p>Harry, who is ten years old and has Asperger syndrome, has come to the surgery with a suspected sprained ankle. His Mum accompanies him. Although h...
Read More<p>Sarah is sixteen years old. She has ASD and a moderate learning disability and has come to see you for ongoing treatment. A keyworker from her care...
Read More<p>Jenny is fifteen years old. She has ASD with severe learning difficulties. She has come into the setting with her mother as she has severe friction...
Read More<p>Marvin is sixteen and has Asperger syndrome. He attends the setting complaining of swollen glands and a throbbing headache. He is wearing a jacket ...
Read More<p>Joshua is thirteen years old, with ASD. He has limited expressive language skills. Joshua attends his appointment with a care worker from his resid...
Read More<p>Finn is 12 years old on the autism spectrum with a moderate learning disability. He attends the setting as an emergency case with his form teacher ...
Read More<p>Karon is 12 years old and has a diagnosis of Down syndrome. He attends a school for children with additional needs and his father reports that he h...
Read More<p>Gavin, aged 43 years has a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome and lived with his father all his life until his father’s death. Although very independen...
Read More<p>Jane is 25 years old and has Asperger syndrome. She lives with her parents and is self-employed. She is a trained horticulturalist and maintains lo...
Read More<p>Samad is twenty years old. He has autism and learning disability. New and unknown situations and people make him very anxious. He has recently move...
Read More<p>Helen is thirty-four years old. She was diagnosed with ASD and mild learning disability at the age of seven. She has good verbal skills and is lite...
Read More<p>David is twenty-five years old and lives in supported accommodation. He has ASD. He has no expressive communication other than a few signs that are...
Read More<p>George is forty years old and has Asperger syndrome. He is very articulate. His expressive and receptive communication is excellent on a literal an...
Read More<p>Peter is a forty-five year old man. He is diagnosed as having autism but no learning disability, he is articulate and literate. He lives alone with...
Read More<p>William is thirty years old and has just been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. He is articulate, literate and lives independently. William’s diagn...
Read More<p>Susan is nineteen years old and attends an appointment, accompanied by her mother, to request a sick note for university. Susan presents as a shy g...
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