What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. One in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
(Information from: National Autistic Society)
How does Autism affect people?
Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Below is a list of difficulties autistic people may share:
- Social, communication, and social interaction challenges.
- Repetitive and restrictive behaviour.
- Over or under sensitivity to light, sound, taste, or touch.
- Highly focused interests or hobbies.
- Anxiety.
- Meltdowns and shutdowns.
- Difficulty understanding how other people think or feel.
Autistic people process sensory information differently and this can impact how they interact with the environment and their ability to interact with other people.
An autistic person can be ‘under’ or ‘over’ sensitive in any of the senses – including sight, hearing and balance. This means sounds, lights, touch and smells can be painful or very uncomfortable.
To reduce discomfort, some autistic people may wear sunglasses indoors or wear ear defenders – or prefer not to be touched or only eat specific foods.
Some autistic people are able to live relatively independent lives but others may face additional challenges. Some autistic people have learning disabilities, which means their support needs are different.
(Information from: National Autistic Society)
How we support people with Autism
Here at SOS Care Services, we have an empathetic and supportive approach to people who are diagnosed with Autism. We understand that Autism presents itself in different ways, and the team at SOS Care Services will take the time to understand the needs of each individual.
The Staff at SOS Care Services undergo extensive and varied training opportunities, enabling us to use different techniques to support our clients on a daily basis. Some of the ways we have supported our Autistic clients includes but is not limited to:
- Acting as an advocate to support clients with making their own decisions.
- Accessing the community.
- The use of calming techniques and distraction tactics as a de-escalation tool.
- Acting in a calm and patient manner, and allowing the client to express how they are feeling.
- Care plans are completed with the client in mind, with their thoughts, wishes, and desires acknowledged and included. Care plans are reviewed regularly, and are updated when behaviours change.
Support with understanding Autism
We understand the importance of a strong support system here at SOS Care Services. We are always here to offer advice where possible, but below you can find other organisations that provide impartial support and advice regarding Autism:
