Aggression can include physical aggression towards others, such as hitting or biting objects.
Self-injury: Some individuals may engage in behaviors that cause harm to themselves, such as head-banging or self-cutting.
Disruptive behaviors: This can include behaviors such as yelling, screaming, or throwing objects.
Non-compliance: Individuals may refuse to follow instructions or engage in challenging or uninteresting tasks.
Repetitive behaviors: Some individuals may engage in repetitive or stereotyped behaviors, such as rocking or hand-flapping.
Communication/Language Characteristics of ASD
Delayed or absent speech and language development: Many individuals with ASD may have delayed speech and language development or never acquire language.
Difficulty with social communication: Individuals with ASD may struggle with the social use of language, such as taking turns in conversation, understanding idioms and sarcasm, and using an appropriate tone of voice.
A literal interpretation of language: Many individuals with ASD may have difficulty understanding non-literal languages, such as sarcasm, irony, and humor.
Echolalia: This is the repetition of words or phrases that are heard, and it can be immediate or delayed. Some individuals may use echolalia to communicate, while others may use it to self-soothe.
Stereotyped language: Individuals with ASD may use repetitive or stereotyped language, such as repeating scripts or lines from movies or TV shows.
Difficulty with pragmatics: Pragmatics refers to the social rules of language, such as turn-taking, topic maintenance, and staying on topic. Many individuals with ASD may have difficulty with these rules and may struggle to use language effectively in social situations.
Social Skills Characteristics of ASD
Nonverbal communication: Many individuals with ASD struggle with nonverbal communication. This includes eye contact, facial expressions, and body language.
Social interaction: Individuals with ASD may struggle to initiate or maintain social interactions and have difficulty understanding social cues and norms.
Social-emotional reciprocity refers to the ability to engage in back-and-forth social interactions and respond appropriately to others' emotions and perspectives.
Theory of mind: Theory of mind has to do with interpretation of others. Specifically, it is in reference to the ability to understand and infer others' mental states, including their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions.
Executive Functioning: Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes involved in planning, organizing, problem-solving, and self-regulation, which can impact social skills
Social Skills Interventions The following websites provide information on social skills training and interventions. National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK78346/
The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder: https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/evidence-based-practices
Sensory Integration Therapy The following websites provide information on Sensory Integration Therapy. Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/social-skills-and-autism
Autism Research Institute:https://autism.org/sensory-integration/
YouTube Link for Sensory Integration During Occupational Therapy: https://youtu.be/4-jqtlwfw5M?feature=shared