The complex world of autists

Autism is a diverse neuro-developmental condition that is characterised by challenges with communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviour. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents with various subtypes that relate to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers are also investigating phenotypes relating to brain structure and functional brain activity.

Clear answers are not available yet, despite active and focused research from different angles. However, it is clear that every autistic person has unique strengths and challenges.

According to Hanlie Degenaar, a senior speech and language therapist at the Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing of the North-West University (NWU), autists all experience the way in which they think, learn and approach tasks in a unique manner, but that this is not necessarily a problem. “Some people with ASD have outstanding skills and can make a unique contribution to the community with little support. Others have more challenges to overcome and need more support from persons around them. Sensory sensitivity, anxiety, depression and the performing of functions are concomitant challenges to autists. That is why these persons depend on predictable routines, environments with little sensory distraction and opportunity for self-regulating actions for their daily functioning,” says Degenaar.

The current pandemic has disrupted routines in an unexpected and overwhelming way, which has caused concern across the world about the impact on the mental health of adults, and of children in particular. Organisations, including the World Health Organisation, reacted by making webinars and other media available to provide guidelines for managing emotional wellness at home and at work, or in the academic environment. According to Degenaar, the reaction of autists – including children on the autism spectrum – to the lockdown during the pandemic has differed widely. “Some flourish under social and communication pressure, but families are reporting intense emotional dysregulation.”

The results of a survey by the Simons Powering Autism Research Organisation (SPARK) shows that families with children of younger than five years were especially hard hit by the lockdown. The NWU’s Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing, which focuses on autism, among other things, also received calls in this regard from parents with similar experiences. “The majority of the enquiries were for assistance with the management of challenging and emotional behaviour. The increase in requests for advice with the regulation of emotions was also confirmed by Autism South Africa,” Degenaar says.

She says that acting calmly and purposefully when the environment elicits uncertainty, fear, frustration and feelings of powerlessness or loss requires a combination of brain processes. “Sensory processing determines the quality of the information that is used for problem-solving, regulating and planning. Language processes and communication are essential to make adjustments in behaviour when situations become overwhelming. Autism spectrum disorder affects all these functions and it is therefore easy to understand that autists will experience more challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

In order to deal with challenges – especially anxiety – at home, adult autists, parents and organisations focusing on support to autists suggest the following:

Tell social stories.
Draw up visual day and month planners.
Do activities like breathing exercises, yoga, dancing, painting, playing with clay and making music.
Give regular time for relaxation with activities that calm the senses.
Prepare meals together.
Practise hobbies.
Maintain virtual contact with friends and relatives.
Arrange online intervention sessions in the same time slot as that the children were used to for support with interventions.
Maintain physical activity.
Enjoy car trips in the immediate area.

News@NWU

The complex world of autists