The Latest Research on Camouflaging
Words: Professor Tony AttwoodChildren who have autism will know at quite a young age that they are different to their peers with regard to the ability to read facial expressions,…
Mindfulness: Why is it So Important?
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around…
Encouraging the Positive in Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Pathological (extreme) demand avoidance (PDA) is a term applied to patterns of complex behaviours that may be seen in some children on the autism spectrum, who often experience heightened anxiety.…
How Can We Support Gifted Children on the Spectrum?
Often, ASD individuals who are also Gifted present with a combination of cognitive abilities and executive function difficulties that result in a ‘perfect storm’ that negatively impacts on academic and…
The Three Adaptations to Social Situations
One of the central characteristics of autism in DSM 5 is a deficit in social communication and social interaction. The social and interpersonal aspects of life are a challenge, so…
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Autism
Since their separation as independent conditions, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) can be misconceptualised as mutually exclusive disorders. Similarities between both disorders can lead to misdiagnosis,…
Parent and Teacher Agreement of Behaviour Problems
Behavioural and emotional difficulties, including anxiety, depression, aggression, oppositional, and attention difficulties are highly prevalent in children on the autism spectrum (Kanne et al., 2009; Ung et al., 2013). These…
What “I’m Bored” Really Means for Autistic Kids
The comment “I’m bored” is often said by teenagers at high school, but those students who have autism may use this phrase to express a range of thoughts and feelings.…
Self-Injurious Behaviours in Adolescents on the Spectrum
As a professional working with adolescents on the autism spectrum at the clinic, I have observed an increased number of Self-Injurious behaviours being reported by clients’ parents and teachers. Self-Injurious…
How Much Screen Time is Too Much?
Research suggests that children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) spend more time on video games and computers than their peers (Mazurek et al., 2012; 2013; Kuo et al.,…