Introduction to SEND - Week 3

My takeaways from this week session revolve around the idea I continually come back to whilst learning on this course as the link between a lack of or disordered sense and autism. This session in particular has given me another way to expand my thinking around the similarities between vision loss and autistic traits. Learning about the frequent diagnostic confusion and crossover between hearing loss and autism is interesting too.

As there are so many associated conditions, statistically occurring alongside autism, with the conditions of both exacerbating the other leads me again to consider how complicated a diagnosis of austism can actually be, especially with its presentation being quite unique to each individual. With the long waitlist for diagnosis currently, this leaves those on the waiting list in a limbo that worsens over time. A talk I went to included a charity called Autism Central, who offer support to families both with a 'full' or official diagnosis and for those with traits of autism; the latter category might include those waiting diagnosis or those who are neurodiverse.

Week 3, Associated Conditions of Autism

Associated Conditions of Autism are conditions which statistically occur together. These are conditions which can worsen due to the person also being on the ASD spectrum.

Common associated conditions include:
ADHD/ADD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder)

I have recently seen this characterised as 'having too many tabs open' when on an internet browser. In this way, it is considered that the person doesn't lack the ability to give something attention (in fact a common trait in ADHD is hyperfocus upon a singular subject), but rather the person is very sensitive to external stimuli and can not find a way to direct their attention to one in particular. This leads to them feeling overstimulated or directing their attention to something that socially is deemed to be the incorrect point of attention.

Anxiety

Often occurs alongside autism which can stem from many aspects of the person feeling other, outside or confused by reality and society. Quite often, this can stem from a sense of frustration at not being able to communicate, either by lack of speech fluency or ability to clearly communicate thought and opinion to other people.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

This is an inate need to resist, always. The overwhelming or obsessional resistance and avoidance to ordinary demands, which can lead to sensory overwhelm and meltdowns. 

The PANDA strategy is suggested as a tool to help deal with a person with PDA.

P icking battles

A nxiety management

N egociation and Collaboration

D isguise and manage demands

A daptation

Epilepsy

A condition which effects the brain and causes frequent seizures. It commonly occurs alongside autism more often than without.
Seizures can often be induced by anxiety; an example of autism worsening an associated condition.

Eating disorders

Anorexia is more common in autistic women, which makes me think of a sensory loop: they feel outcast already > society tells you'll fit in if you're think > you don't eat > weight loss means people tell you you are looking good; the sensory feedback of this is positive and so it continues.

Dyspraxia

Is a condition where you have trouble placing yourself in time and space. This is not only a coordination issue (fine and gross), but also people who suffer from this have issues organising their thoughts, which can effect time keeping and even how they structure sentences. 

Hearing impairment

Lots of crossover traits with autism, and  a diagnosis of autism is often delayed or confused as hearing loss. 
Crossover traits include: sound sensitivity, lack of response to sound.