For anybody who knows someone on the Autistic Spectrum Kieran Bond
For all the people who are on the spectrum and struggle with every day life.
The
Social
Rulebook
Contents Introduction
1. 3.
The Triad of impairments
What is ASD?
5. 7. Eye contact
Interview
9. 11. Emotions
Empathy
13. 15. Friendships
Diagnosis
17.
19. Communication Useful reading
21.
Introduction This book is for both people with
Syndrome that I knew why I was
split in two just for this reason,
an autism spectrum disorder (for
different, not to say that it has
depending on whether you
the purposes of this book I will
changed my life, more that it has
think the illustrations should tell
call them people with ASD) but
made everything make more sense.
the story or whether you are
it is also for people who know or
This book is designed for two
comfortable reading text with
are related to anyone who have
different target audiences, people
smaller illustrations. I hope you
a condition on the spectrum. As
with ASD and people who know
enjoy this book and find it useful.
a young person with Asperger’s
someone on the spectrum,
syndrome, I think about the world
the side for people with ASD is
differently to “normal” people
designed to be more readable
(people without ASD) this is hard
and interesting to look at, whilst
for me, as I am only 19 years old
providing both information on
and have yet to go experience
the subject and my opinions on
the world outside of education.
the subject, such as empathy, eye
For all the aspies out there who need to be heard.
contact and friendships. Throughout my life I have known I am different to everyone else,
Depending on which target
I was bullied in school for being
audience you fall into, you can
different, I seemed to attract
read the book from the side
unwanted attention from people
which represents you to see
who were the wrong kind of
information on topics relating
people to have attention from.
to you, or you can read it from
It wasn’t until 25th march 2014,
the opposite side to see the
just after my 18th birthday, when
world from that perspective, I
I got diagnosed with Asperger’s
have designed the book to be
1.
What is ASD?
Autism spectrum disorder
The main features of ASD
(ASD) is a condition that
typically start to develop
affects social interaction,
in childhood, although the
communication, interests
impact of these may not
and behaviour. It includes
be apparent until there
Asperger syndrome and
is a significant change in
childhood autism.
the person’s life, such as a
Some people also use the
There is no ‘cure’ for
term autism spectrum
ASD, but a wide range of
condition or ‘neuro-
treatments – including
diverse’ (as opposed to
education and behaviour
people without autism
support – can help people
being ‘neuro-typical’).
with the condition.
2.
change of school. In the UK, it’s estimated that about one in every 100 people have ASD.
Symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorders If your child has an ASD, he or she will have symptoms that affect the way he or she communicates. Their social skills, interests and behaviour may also be affected. How your You may notice some of the symptoms and behaviour of ASDs when your child is very young. However, sometimes symptoms don’t become obvious until your child experiences new social settings, such as going to school.
child is affected can vary widely. Some children are very mildly affected and need little special support, whereas other children are severely affected and need a lifetime of special support.
3.
The Triad of Impairments People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders have difficulties in three main areas within their lives; this is referred to as the 'triad of impairments' They vary from one person to another but they seem to be common.
Language & communication »» Difficulty processing and retaining verbal information Difficulty understanding: »» Jokes & sarcasm »» Social use of language »» Literal interpretation »» Body language, facial expressions
4.
and gestures
Flexibility of thought (imagination) Difficulties with: »» Coping with changes in routine »» Empathy »» Generalisation
Social and emotional Difficulties with: »» Friendships »» Managing unstructured parts of the day »» Working co-operatively
5.
Eye contact
6.
What is eye contact?
First hand account
There’s so much more to eye
Eye contact is really, really tough for
Over the years I’ve learned to
contact than just looking at
me. It’s incredibly uncomfortable and
manage by focusing almost
someone’s eyes.
unsettling, and at times even painful.
solely on someone’s mouth
Besides being tools for basic
You know how they say that the eyes
as they talk, with a few quick
survival, our faces are designed
are a window to the soul? Allowing
glances at the eyes so I don’t
for reciprocal communication
someone to meet my gaze really
appear rude. As a result I’ve
- for both giving and receiving
does feels like letting them inside me.
become an excellent lip reader
information so that we can
And since I want to be the gatekeeper
share in a mutually understood
of that, being forced to make eye
message with others. Eye contact
contact leaves me feeling extremely
helps us to do that in a number
exposed and vulnerable.
of different ways, like monitoring
As a young boy I would cope
the interest and reaction of the
with that feeling by looking
other person when we speak
away from faces and down
and letting them know that we’re
at the ground, which led to
paying attention when it’s our
the assumption that I was
turn to listen.
either guilty, shy or lacking in confidence. The solution to all of these was always the same - to ‘look people in the eye’ which left me feeling even less confident and sociable.
7.
Understanding Emotions
8.
Emotions in Autism Children with autism spectrum
Throughout childhood and
disorder (ASD) often find it
adolescence, most children
hard to recognise and control
continue building empathy,
emotions. But their skills in the
self-regulation and skills in
area of emotional development
recognizing and responding
can be improved, which in turn
to other people’s feelings. By
can help them understand and
adulthood, people are usually
respond more appropriately to
able to quickly recognise subtle
other people.
emotional expressions. From
Humans have six basic emotions
around two months, most babies
– happiness, surprise, sadness,
will laugh and show signs of
anger, fear and disgust. We
fear. By 12 months, a typically
also experience more complex
developing baby can read your
feelings such as embarrassment,
face to get an understanding
shame, pride, guilt, envy, joy,
of what you’re feeling. Most
trust, interest, contempt and
toddlers and young children start
anticipation.
to use words to express feelings
9.
Empathy
What Is Empathy? Contemporary researchers often differentiate between two types of empathy: “Affective empathy” refers to the sensations and feelings we get in response to others’ emotions; this can include mirroring what that person is feeling, or just feeling stressed when we detect another’s fear or anxiety. “Cognitive empathy,” sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and
The term “empathy” is used
understand other peoples’
to describe a wide range
emotions. Studies suggest
of experiences. Emotion
that people with autism
researchers generally define
spectrum disorders have a
empathy as the ability to
hard time empathizing.
sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else
10.
might be thinking or feeling.
Empathy has been associated with two different pathways in the brain, and scientists have speculated that some aspects of empathy can be traced to mirror neurons, cells in the brain that fire when we observe someone else perform an action in much the same way that they would fire if we performed that action ourselves. Research has also uncovered evidence of a genetic basis to empathy, though studies suggest that people can enhance (or restrict) their natural empathic abilities.
Empathy seems to have
Having empathy doesn’t
deep roots in our brains
necessarily mean we’ll want to
and bodies, and in our
help someone in need, though
evolutionary history.
it’s often a vital first step toward
Elementary forms of
compassionate action.
empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats.
11.
Interview KB: When were you diagnosed
KB: Did you find the diagnosis
KB: In your opinion, what is the
and how old were you?
changed the way you look at life
thing you find hardest?
MR: I’m not exactly sure but I was
in any way?
MR: I find sympathising with
either 13, or I’d just turned 14
MR: Strangely, no; I always felt
people really hard, recently a
a bit weird compared to other
close friend of mine's nan died
KB: What were you ‘officially’
people and knowing that I’m not
and they were really sad (as
diagnosed with?
just a freak or weirdo and that
you'd expect) and they told
MR: My doctor thought I had
something was actually wrong
me (because I knew their nan
ADD way before then but I
with me probably made me
well) and I didn't feel sad at all...
was eventually diagnosed
more comfortable with me being
I understood what was going
with Asperger’s (I don’t know
the way that I am. It made me
on, I knew I’d never see her
if I actually have ADD or what)
realise that there was an actual
again (don’t get me wrong I
but since then I’ve also been
reason for my paranoia and
wasn't happy she died) but I just
diagnosed as bipolar and with
mood swings and that I wasn’t
didn't feel sad at all... it's hard
schizoaffective disorder
just weird
to explain. I guess it's because I don’t socialise much but I
“
never really feel an emotional connection to people
Knowing that I’m not just a freak or a weirdo and that something was actually wrong with me made me more comfortable with everything
12.
”
KB: How do you cope with
KB: How does it affect you
everything you find hard?
personally?
MR: I normally cope by not
MR: Well I don’t know if it's just
really paying attention to it...
my personality or if it's being
the paranoia and occasional
influenced by something else
"hallucinations" can be difficult
but I’m always EXTREMELY
to ignore though, I feel like I cope
uncomfortable around people
pretty well all things considered
that I don’t know to the point of
though, watching YouTube
beginning to dislike them when
videos or playing a game I know
they haven’t done anything. I
well normally helps me cope.
feel like this is mostly due to the aforementioned schizoaffective
KB: What have you found hardest
disorder. Being a little different
about explaining your condition to
in the head has made it so
people?
there are very few people that
MR: Honestly I normally don’t
I feel comfortable around and
have to explain it to people, most
so being stuck inside all the
of my close friends know already
time (because of other health
and I don't really talk to new
problems) doesn't really bother
people, as I mentioned earlier I
me all too much... unlike most
don't really like new people so I
people I seem to be ok without
never have to tell them anything
socialising much.
about me I’ve had the same group of friends for years.
13.
Friendships
Children on the autistic spectrum often can focus on the ‘detail’ within communication but miss the overall ‘plot’. This can make them the target of bullying at school due to their unusual behavior, language, interests and tendency to tell others what to do. Their impaired ability to perceive and respond in socially expected ways to nonverbal cues can lead to conflict or being ignored by others. Children with Asperger’s syndrome may be extremely literal and may have difficulty interpreting and responding to sarcasm or banter. A child or teen with Asperger’s syndrome is often puzzled by this mistreatment, unaware of what has been done incorrectly.
14.
Children on the autism spectrum, particularly the milder end, often want to be social, but have trouble making friends. This can lead to later withdrawal and antisocial behavior, especially in adolescence. At this stage of life especially, they risk being drawn into unsuitable and inappropriate friendships and social groups. Learning how to make appropriate friendships can minimize these problems, reduce bullying and lead to better relationships with people who aren’t on the autism spectrum. The sooner these skills are learned, the better. Non-autistic children usually learn all these social skills in an unconscious and intuitive way, by observing and interacting with everyone around them.
15.
Diagnosis Diagnosis of Personal Autistic Spectrum experience with disorders diagnosis Getting a diagnosis of autism
I was diagnosed with Asperger’s
and sitting through a 2 hour
(including Asperger syndrome)
syndrome on 25th March 2014,
question and answer session
can be a really positive thing. A
just after my 18th birthday, this
where the clinical Psychologist
lot of people say their diagnosis
officially made me diagnosed as
asked my mum & I questions
has helped them to understand
an adult, which shows how much
about how I was as a child, what I
why they have difficulties with
the school system has failed me,
was like making friends and what
some things and why they are
normally a child would be picked
I struggle with, Etc.
especially good at some things.
up as showing signs of ASD through nursery and primary
I think the most important thing
Having a diagnosis also means
school. This never happened for
to remember is that a diagnosis
you can get easier access to
me, despite the fact I know that
can be very useful for getting
support and benefits. However,
I showed all the signs of it at the
support such as DSA (disabled
the process of getting a
time.
student’s allowance) and getting
diagnosis can be difficult for adults.
16.
support in education authorities Diagnosis for me was the easiest
such as schools and colleges.
part, I was diagnosed by The
They give you an extensive
Cambridge Lifespan Asperger
report which these organizations
Syndrome Service (CLASS) clinic,
will need to help provide you with
they were very nice and I got the
the support you need.
diagnosis there and then after filling in an AAA questionnaire
17.
Communication Communication happens when one person sends a message to another person either verbally or non-verbally. Interaction happens when two people, for example, an adult and a child, respond to one another - a twoway communication.
Most children with an ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) will have difficulty interacting with others. This is because in order to be successful at interaction the child needs to respond to others when they are approached by them or be able to initiate interactions. Although many children with an ASD are able to do this when they want something, they tend not to use interaction to show people things or to be sociable. It is important to remember that communication and interaction do not have to involve the use of language and speech. Many children with an ASD are delayed in their use of language and shy away from using speech.
Therefore, other methods of communication need to be established before speech and language will follow.
The way in which the child communicates needs to be observed in order to develop their communicative strengths and needs. For example, if the child is not using any sound or speech, rather then communicating with them through words, try using gesture. The child with an ASD may use some of the following to communicate with others: crying, taking the adults hand to the object they desire, looking at the object they desire, reaching, using pictures and echolalia.
Echolalia is the repetition of other people’s words and is a common feature of the child with an ASD. Initially when the child uses echolalia it is likely that they are repeating words that they do not understand and are doing so with no communicative intent. However, echolalia is a good sign as it shows that the child’s communication is developing - in time, the child will begin to use the repeated words and phrases to communicate something significant. For example, the child may memorise the words that were said to them when they were asked if they would like a drink, and use them later, in a different situation, to ask a question of their own. There are two main different types of communication: Pre-intentional Communication is when the child says or does things without intending them to affect those around them. This type of communication can be used by the child to calm themselves, focus themselves or as a reaction to an upsetting/fun experience.
Intentional Communication is when the child says or does things with the purpose of sending a message to another person. This type of communication can be used to protest about what they are being asked to do and to make requests. Intentional communication is easier for the child once they have learnt that their actions have an effect on other people - the move from pre-intentional communication to intentional communication is a big step for the child with an ASD.
19.
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's Author: John Elder Robison
The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger's Author:
Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism Author: Temple Grandin
Freaks, Geeks and Aspergers Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence Author:
Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome
Author:
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
Temple Grandin
Author:
Ellen Notbohm
Luke Jackson
liane Holliday Willey
20.
www.autism.org.uk
Autism speaks is an autism charity based in
www.autismspeaks.org
21.
The national autistic society is the official
America, it is basically the national autistic
Useful reading charity representing autism in the UK. They society for America.
Will Hadcroft
Author:
The Feeling's Unmutual: Growing Up with Asperger Syndrome (Undiagnosed)
Paul Dickinson & Liz Hannah
Author
It can get better - Dealing with common behaviour problems in young children with autism
provide a lot of useful resources for both carers and people with autism/ASD.
Sensory Strategies Practical ways to help children and young people with autism learn and achieve Author Corinna Laurie
Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed: Growing Up With Undiagnosed Autism Author: Jeannie Davide-Rivera
using pictures and echolalia.
their use of language and
the object they desire, reaching,
with an ASD are delayed in
object they desire, looking at
and speech. Many children
taking the adults hand to the
involve the use of language
communicate with others: crying,
interaction do not have to
use some of the following to
that communication and
The child with an ASD may
It is important to remember
shy away from using speech.
Initially when the child uses
and language will follow.
feature of the child with an ASD.
established before speech
people’s words and is a common
communication need to be
Echolalia is the repetition of other
Therefore, other methods of
echolalia it is likely that they are
with no communicative intent.
be observed in order to
not understand and are doing so
communicates needs to
repeating words that they do
The way in which the child
develop their communicative strengths and needs. For example, if the child is not using any sound or speech, rather then communicating with them through words, try using gesture.
19.
Communication Communication happens when one person sends a message to another person either verbally or non-verbally. Interaction happens when two people, for example, an adult and a child, respond to one another - a twoway communication. Most children with an ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) will have difficulty interacting with others. This is because in order to be successful at interaction the child needs to respond to others when they are approached by them or be able to initiate interactions. Although many children with an ASD are able to do this when they want something, they tend not to use interaction to show people things or to be sociable.
18.
Children on the autistic spectrum often can focus on the ‘detail’ within communication but miss the overall ‘plot’. This can make them the target of bullying at school due to their unusual behavior, language, interests and tendency to tell others what to do. Their impaired ability to perceive and respond in socially expected ways to nonverbal cues can lead to conflict or being ignored by others. Children with Asperger’s syndrome may be extremely literal and may have difficulty interpreting and responding to sarcasm or banter. A child or teen with Asperger’s syndrome is often puzzled by this mistreatment, unaware of what has been done incorrectly.
17.
Friendships My views
want you to.
meeting new people, as this
do just because your “friends”
for work or for university and
something you don’t want to
doing things such as interviews
are friends with, never do
to my age, as you need to start
be careful about who you
particularly hard when you get
who has these problems to
to say or when to say it. This is
would recommend to anyone
they often do not know what
with arguments and all sorts. I
has a spectrum disorder, as
many problems in the past
common with everyone who
nature, and this has lead to
of all, relationships, this is
advantage of my good
keeping friendships, and most
with people who take
struggle with is making and
Often I have friendships
One of the biggest things I
is what is socially acceptable, which I find very unnerving. Friendships are hard for me as I cant tell basic things such as when someone is getting annoyed with me or when they are happy, sad etc.
16.
“ KB: In your opinion, what is the
Don’t worry that you’re different because it doesn’t mean you’re worse than other people. Different is good.
”
thing you find hardest? TH: Definitely socialising, dealing with things such as making a doctors appointment, its still nerve racking when it shouldn’t be, it’s hard to describe really, its something that everyone else does. Also, it comes under socializing really, but I find it difficult to get along with people my own age, so I tend to be friends with people either younger or older than me.
15.
Interview
but it looks at things differently.
same when they changed the
differently, it still works the same
doctors said was ADHD and the
around 13 years old.
in our head, but its wired
paid any attention to what the
TH: When I was in Year 9 so I was
We all have the same hardware
TH: Not really, I never really
and how old were you?
is not necessarily true.
life in any way?
KB: When were you diagnosed
communicate properly and that
changed the way you look at
Asperger’s with not being able to
KB: Did you find the diagnosis
condition everyday.
“normal”
perspective to live with the
what most people would class as
it is like from another person’s
such as video games, beyond
people I know, to find out what
obsessive over particular things,
just like me and a lot of other
TH: I have OCD, I get very
has asperger’s syndrome
personally?
from college, Tyler Hilton, who
KB: How does it affect you
I interviewed one of my friends
KB: What were you ‘officially’ diagnosed with? TH: Initially diagnosed with
KB: What have you found hardest about explaining your condition to people? TH: A lot of people, if they do know what Asperger’s is, they don’t see you as different, people associate people with
diagnosis to Asperger’s, I just continued as I was.
to a child on the autistic spectrum?
Asperger’s when I was in year 9
KB: What advice would you give
ADHD- Re-Diagnosed with
TH: Don’t worry that you’re different because it doesn’t mean you’re worse than other people. Different is good.
14.
Empathy has been associated with two different pathways in the brain, and scientists have speculated that some aspects of empathy can be traced to mirror neurons, cells in the brain that fire when we observe someone else perform an action in much the same way that they would fire if we performed that action ourselves. Research has also uncovered evidence of a genetic basis to empathy, though studies suggest that people can enhance (or restrict) their natural empathic abilities. Having empathy doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll want to help someone in need, though it’s often a vital first step toward compassionate action.
Empathy seems to have deep roots in our brains and bodies, and in our evolutionary history. Elementary forms of empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats.
13. 13.
Empathy
Contemporary researchers often differentiate between two types of empathy: “Affective empathy” refers to the sensations and feelings we get in response to others’ emotions; this can include mirroring what that person is feeling, or just feeling stressed when we detect another’s fear or anxiety. “Cognitive empathy,” sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and understand other peoples’ emotions. Studies
What Is Empathy? The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range
suggest that people with autism spectrum disorders have a hard time empathizing.
of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else
12.
might be thinking or feeling.
The ability to understand and express these emotions starts developing from birth. From around two months, most babies
We also experience more complex feelings such as embarrassment, shame, pride, guilt, envy, joy, trust, interest, contempt and anticipation.
will laugh and show signs of fear. By 12 months, a typically developing baby can read your face to get an understanding of what you’re feeling. Most toddlers and young children start to use words to express feelings – although you might see a tantrum or two when their feelings get too big for their words! Humans have four basic emotions – happiness, surprise, anger and sadness.
11.
Understanding Emotions
Throughout childhood and adolescence, most children continue building empathy, self-regulation and skills in recognizing and responding to other people’s feelings. By adulthood, people are usually able to quickly recognise subtle emotional expressions. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often find it hard to recognise and control emotions. But their skills in the area of emotional development can be improved, which in turn can help them understand and respond more appropriately to other people.
10.
KB: How does it affect you and your family? CP: It's the toughest thing to ever go through. We are limited to what we can do outside of routine, barely get any sleep, Jayden is a very challenging young man but worth every minute. He has violent outbursts, which have led to bruises, cuts, etc. all over my body. It is very hard but at the same time he has the funniest personality without trying. Everything is routine based and means we cannot enjoy family holidays; days out are a real struggle and rare occasion. We don't get a break or anything and that is hard.
9.
Interview I interviewed one of my friends, Chantelle Penfold, who is the mother of an autistic child, to find out what it is like to live with and look after a child with autism everyday. KB: When was your child diagnosed and how old were they? CP: Age 2 in 2011, he was nearly 3 at the time.
behind the condition.
and mentally.
I without knowing the truth
can be a great help physically
people judge my child and
do this! Local support networks
people ask me than have
You are a true warrior and can
to explain his condition and
help and support if you need it.
CP: Nothing. I much prefer
CP: Don't be afraid to ask for
KB: What have you found hardest about explaining the condition to people?
KB: What advice would you give to another parent of a child on the autistic spectrum?
KB: In your opinion, what is the thing you find hardest? CP: Other people's negative
KB: What were they ‘officially’ diagnosed with? CP: Asperger’s syndrome, sensory processing disorder and delayed development. KB: What coping strategies have you found useful? CP: Sensory corner, reward tokens in sonic, as it's his obsession, and a routine
“
reactions and opinions of Jayden having a breakdown in public and punching me, I'm trying to calm and restrain him. Other people commenting and being cruel is the last thing you need; some people judge without knowledge.
Don't be afraid to ask for help and support if you need it. You are a true warrior and can do this!
”
8.
First hand account
Over the years I’ve learned to
to be the gatekeeper of that,
confident and sociable.
them inside me. And since I want
which left me feeling even less
gaze really does feels like letting
- to ‘look people in the eye’ -
Allowing someone to meet my
of these was always the same
eyes are a window to the soul?
confidence. The solution to all
know how they say that the
either guilty, shy or lacking in
and at times even painful. You
the assumption that I was
uncomfortable and unsettling,
at the ground, which led to
tough for me. It’s incredibly
away from faces and down
Eye contact is really, really
manage by focusing almost solely on someone’s mouth as they talk, with a few quick glances at the eyes so I don’t appear rude. As a result I’ve become an excellent lip reader.
being forced to make eye contact leaves me feeling extremely exposed and vulnerable. As a young boy I would cope with that feeling by looking
7.
Eye contact What is eye contact?
knowing when and how to initiate
message with others. Eye contact
made, but how it’s being used -
share in a mutually understood
whether eye contact is being
information so that we can
turn to listen. So it’s not just about
- for both giving and receiving
paying attention when it’s our
for reciprocal communication
and letting them know that we’re
survival, our faces are designed
other person when we speak
Besides being tools for basic
the interest and reaction of the
someone’s eyes.
of different ways, like monitoring
contact than just looking at
helps us to do that in a number
There’s so much more to eye
So It’s not just about whether eye contact is being made, but how it’s being used - knowing when and how to initiate it, how long to maintain it, when and how to disengage, understanding the social rules that govern all of these and then using that knowledge to control social interactions. In other words, an overly intense and unrelenting gaze is just as significant as no eye contact at all, and being able to use eye contact doesn’t mean that a person isn’t autistic.
6.
Flexibility of thought (imagination) Difficulties with: »» Coping with changes in routine »» Empathy »» Generalisation
Social and emotional Difficulties with: »» Friendships »» Working co-operatively
5.
The Triad of Impairments People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders have difficulties in three main areas within their lives; this is referred to as the 'triad of impairments' They vary from one person to another but they seem to be common.
Language & communication Difficulty processing and retaining verbal information Difficulty understanding: »» Jokes & sarcasm »» Social use of language »» Literal interpretation »» Body language »» facial expressions
4.
Symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders If your child has an ASD, he or she will have symptoms that affect the way he or she communicates. Their social skills, interests and behaviour may also be affected. How your You may notice some of the symptoms and behaviour of ASDs when your child is very young. However, sometimes symptoms don’t become obvious until your child experiences new social settings,
child is affected can vary widely. Some children are very mildly affected and need little special support, whereas other children are severely affected and need a lifetime of special support.
3.
such as going to school.
What is ASD?
the person’s life, such as a
childhood autism.
is a significant change in
Asperger syndrome and
be apparent until there
and behaviour. It includes
impact of these may not
communication, interests
in childhood, although the
affects social interaction,
typically start to develop
(ASD) is a condition that
The main features of ASD
Autism spectrum disorder
with the condition.
being ‘neuro-typical’).
support – can help people
people without autism
education and behaviour
diverse’ (as opposed to
treatments – including
condition or ‘neuro-
ASD, but a wide range of
term autism spectrum
There is no ‘cure’ for
Some people also use the
change of school. In the UK, it’s estimated that about one in every 100 people have ASD.
2.
Introduction
the story or whether you are
it is also for people who know or
think the illustrations should tell
made everything make more sense.
call them people with ASD) but
changed my life, more that it has
the purposes of this book I will
different, not to say that it has
an autism spectrum disorder (for
Syndrome that I knew why I was
This book is for both people with
the subject and my opinions on
the world outside of education.
providing both information on
and have yet to go experience
and interesting to look at, whilst
for me, as I am only 19 years old
designed to be more readable
(people without ASD) this is hard
the side for people with ASD is
differently to “normal” people
know someone on the spectrum,
syndrome, I think about the world
people with ASD and people who
a young person with Asperger’s
different target audiences,
a condition on the spectrum. As
This book is designed for two
are related to anyone who have
have designed the book to be split in two just for this reason, depending on whether you
comfortable reading text with smaller illustrations. I hope you enjoy this book and find it useful.
For all the aspies out there who need to be heard.
the subject, such as empathy, eye Throughout my life I have known
contact and friendships.
I am different to everyone else,
world from that perspective, I
I got diagnosed with Asperger’s
the opposite side to see the
just after my 18th birthday, when
to you, or you can read it from
It wasn’t until 25th march 2014,
information on topics relating
people to have attention from.
which represents you to see
who were the wrong kind of
read the book from the side
unwanted attention from people
audience you fall into, you can
different, I seemed to attract
Depending on which target
I was bullied in school for being
1.
Contents 1. Introduction
13. Empathy
3. What is ASD?
15. Interview 2
5. Triad of impairments
17. Friendships
7. Eye contact
19. Communication
21. Useful reading
9. Interview
11. Emotions
The
Social
Rulebook
For all the people who are on the spectrum and struggle with every day life.
For anybody on the Autistic Spectrum Kieran Bond