Autism: a short guide for parents
Derbyshire Educational Psychology Service
You may be reading this because your child has recently been given a
diagnosis of autism or perhaps you suspect your child is autistic and
want to find out more.
There is a huge amount of literature and information available on this
topic but below are some frequently asked questions which provide
pointers for more help and information.
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that has particular characteristics.
These are:
 Problems in understanding and using language
 Difficulties in making sense of the social world including making
friends, being part of a group and cooperating with others
 A tendency to think and behave in ways that are very different from
others of their age.
These difficulties with language and social communication, social interaction
and social imagination are called the triad of impairments.
All children with autism have difficulties in all three of these areas.
Many children also have problems with sensory sensitivity and can be over
or under sensitive to or under react to sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
What causes autism?
We do not yet fully understand the causes of autism and there is much
ongoing research. However, it is clear that there are many factors
involved, genetic and environmental, which result in changes in the way
that the child’s brain develops.
Autism is not:
 Caused by parental handling
 The child being awkward, naughty or manipulative
 A childhood disorder that ‘goes away’
 A mask that hides a different child
 A consequence of age, class, creed, race
 Something you can catch!
Are there many children who are autistic?
Autism is far more common than many people realise. There are over
half a million people with autism in the UK i.e. 1 in 100. So, in a
secondary school of a thousand pupils there will be, on average, around
ten pupils with autism.
Is diagnosis important?
Nearly everyone who works with children and young people would say
“yes”. Diagnosis helps in understanding why a child is encountering
difficulties in particular areas and assists in finding ways to help and
support them. It should be taken slowly and involve those who know the
child best as well as the appropriate specialists. Educational
psychologists can and will diagnose autism but only after working
closely with others such as parents, health and education colleagues.
Usually diagnosis is best made over a period of time, it cannot be
rushed.
How can schools help?
By:
 using teacher assessment and observation to establish how
your child learns best
 finding out which ways of teaching are most effective
 discussing your child with relevant professionals who visit the
school
 using this advice to plan different work for your child
 arranging for your child to have some extra help in smaller
teaching groups supported by a Teaching Assistant
 having routines that will help your child understand what
happens in each day
 using visual timetables and prompt sheets
 organising groups carefully to promote your child’s
opportunities for mixing with other children, using language
and understanding and using imagination
 planning carefully for transitions when your child moves year
groups or schools
 following guidance from Derbyshire’s File for Autism Friendly
Schools
Who else can help?
The Educational Psychologist (EP) for your child’s school will
make regular visits to support and advise staff about pupils
causing concern. For some they will become more directly
involved and work closely with parents and school staff.
The EP can also refer to an Autism Outreach Teacher on behalf of
the school.
How can I help my child?
It is important that you and everyone involved with your child
understands fully what autism is and how it affects children and their
families.
There are many strategies and interventions but because of the very
individual nature of the difficulties children with autism encounter there
is no ‘one size fits all’ answer and programmes have to be precisely
planned to meet specific needs.
It is important that parents and school work closely together to ensure
that there are consistent approaches to the child’s difficulties.
Where can I go for more help and information?
Links to:
NAS website and booklet
My child has an ASD