Flexibility

Use Visual Strategies

Predictability and Consistency

Children and young people with autism can often present as frustrated when there are changes in their daily schedule, or the unexpected actions of another person.  Due to many having difficulties with communication and language, behaviour becomes the way the child or young person expresses this frustration. Therefore, parents and professionals tend to see the behavioral outcome of the stress and anxiety involved with this “inflexible thinking,” rather than teaching flexible thinking in a systematic way.

To further support our understanding of how children and young people perceive their world around them, Dr Peter Vermeulen, a psychologist and the co-director of the Centre for Concrete Communication in Belgium developed the theory of context blindness.  His belief is that…

“Understanding autism as context blindness is the cornerstone of an autism friendly approach.”

The concept of context blindness merges the existing cognitive models in autism (theory of mind, executive functioning, central coherence) offering a unique and practical understanding of autism. According to Dr Vermulen, difficulty seeing and understanding context can explain why individuals with an ASD have trouble with communication, social interaction, flexible thinking and behaviour.

Appreciation of the individual

The child or young person with autism is central to building capacity within the home, school and wider community.  Recognising and appreciating the strengths and challenges faced by the child or young person with autism is vital when considering how best to support them.

Improving Quality of life

Children and young people with autism should be treated with dignity and respect. Caring and supporting them should be centre to their well-being and overall quality of life.

As each child and young person with autism presents differently, the supports that are put in place for them should be individualised.   Building capacity is about maximising the child and young person’s quality of life regardless of the nature of his or her challenges. There should be a focus on building upon strengths to help them achieve and grow in an environment which is supportive of their needs.