Page 3115 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 15 September 1993
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Autism is characterised by abnormal functioning in social interaction, communication and play. The child or adult may have severe difficulty in understanding other people in social situations. This may result in isolation and mutual misunderstanding. There are no obvious or easily recognisable physical signs of autism. The behavioural characteristics which set children with autism apart from others are often very difficult to manage. Autistic children can suffer from phobias or obsessive interest in a narrow field, or display strong reactions to new things which can make adaption to change very difficult. Autistic children learn to communicate and relate with others best in secure and predictable settings. They will, however, have lifelong needs in terms of accommodation, employment and social support. Behaviours associated with autism can vary from mild to severe. Those children with autism can also vary from being profoundly intellectually handicapped to having a superior range of intelligence. While about 50 per cent of children with autism do not learn to speak, approximately 25 per cent of autistic children develop skills enabling them to live independent and productive lives.
Despite some young people and adults with autism being able to participate in continuing education and to enter the work force, they continue to require high levels of support in areas of behaviour, social situations and work environments. The poor social judgment of people with autism often leads to misunderstanding and, occasionally, victimisation. This, in turn, stands in the way of the individual reaching his or her full potential. Even when adults or young people are capable of reaching a level of independence, it is often achieved only with the assistance and vigilance of the family and carers in coaching the person in socially appropriate and conforming behaviours. Having a child or older member of the family who suffers from autism places a high level of stress on the family. Significant adjustments need to be made to accommodate the demands of the autistic person. Ongoing support and counselling is usually required for planning all daily routines and family lifestyle.
For the children a highly structured teaching approach, both within the home and in community situations, designed to meet the needs of the individual child, seems to result in the best outcomes. Therefore, appropriate management and education are crucial for the best outcomes. Early recognition of the individual's difficulties and an accurate diagnosis are important in ensuring that appropriate support and early intervention are provided.
The Autism Association of the ACT is an important support group for families. The association employs a psychologist part time to assist families who have an autistic child. ACT Health provides diagnostic and counselling services through the child and adolescent mental health service. The child health and development service also provides parent counselling and support as well as therapeutic programs conducted by speech pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. These early intervention programs, which are available for children from the time when difficulties are first recognised, aim to maximise learning, communication skills, and social and emotional development. This is done in partnership with families, carers and other community services. Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, therapy programs are often carried out in conjunction with those of the Department of Education, which provides early education programs as well as a specialist autistic unit. This unit provides a unique program specially geared to the needs of the autistic child. It is an early intervention program for children from three to six years, and children from the unit are integrated in mainstream and special education settings.
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