Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

A paradox lies ahead…You’d bet that almost anyone would seek to help people with physical impairments in safely navigating around their schools/workplaces, whilst greeting them with a smile in doing so…Because its the right thing to do, right?

Then, logically, shouldn’t such same good deeds apply when meeting someone with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

I am writing this article to promote the support and understanding of ASD, whilst listing some suggested sensory adjustments that you may partake in on a regular basis, to facilitate the successful transition of people with ASD into new schools or workplaces.

Sight Adjustments • Turning off or dimming distracting artificial lighting sources, Removing flickering or oscillating environmental features, Allowing the use of sunglasses

Sound Adjustments • Reducing auditory clutter, Avoid having important conversations in noisy

environments, allowing the use of noise-cancelling headphones/ear plugs, reducing the ringtone intensity of telephones/mobiles

Smell Adjustments • Minimizing the use of highly scented aerosols, toiletries, cleaning products or chemical air freshners, Considering additional ventilation, by opening windows or use of fans, wherever it is possible

Taste Adjustments • Respecting individual preferences when preparing for events, not pressuring friends or colleagues into sharing certain food items, such as birthday cakes or canapes

Touch Adjustments • Avoiding casual touch, Exploring the use of sensory-friendly uniform choices, Allowing increased personal space, Allow restorative solitude to recover if distressed

Proprioceptive Adjustments • Understanding the use of sensory gadgets (such as chewing gum, stress ball, sensory ring), Avoid making inferences from unusual body postures, such as stimming

Interoceptive Adjustments • Paying attention to verbal reports of discomfort including illness, hunger, thirst and pain, whilst being aware that the non-verbal expression of discomfort may differ, Giving adequate time to tend to basic needs

Predictability Adjustments • Giving realistic information in advance, Ensuring clear directional signage, Providing photos of the physical environment and staff, Encourage working in familiar environments, Using timetables and adhering to any agreed lesson/workplans

Acceptance Adjustments • Understanding monotropic thinking patterns, Facilitating the need for detailed information, Seeking to understand emotional, physical or sensory distress

Communication Adjustments • Understanding the ASD verbal and non-verbal communication differences, Knowing that communication abilities may be reduced by anxiety and sensory stressors, Recognising that people with autism do feel empathy but may display it differently than people who do not have ASD, expecting differences in emotional expressions

Processing Adjustments • Allowing increased time to respond to questions, Allowing increased time for decision making, Allow planning of regular study breaks or annual leave

Yours truly,

×Be Holistically Healthy, MD× By Dr. Georgiana Farrugia Bonnici

Diplomas in Mindful Mental Health, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Homeopathy & Reflexology, Creative Writing & Interior Design

*(Adapted from NAIT2024)

Article author

Dr Georgiana Farrugia BonniciSpecialist in Family Medicine