ALN - Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.
General signs
There are many signs of ASD; here are some general signs that could indicate your child / young person has ASD traits:
- Struggles with verbal and non-verbal communication
- Difficulty making eye contact
- Difficulty recognising emotions and showing emotions
- Taking turns in conversations
- Gauging personal space is a struggle
- Feeling overwhelmed in social situations
- Repetitive behaviour - strict routines
- Narrow or extreme interest.
Diagnosis
When looking at ASD if you decide to explore a diagnosis by the health authority, this process can take approximately 29 months once the referral has been accepted.
You don't need to wait for a diagnosis to get support. Have a look at the further information to find out what is available from your child's school and other organisations.