Autism with Severe Learning Difficulties

Citation

Weare, K. (2001), "Autism with Severe Learning Difficulties", Health Education, Vol. 101 No. 6, pp. 292-294. https://doi.org/10.1108/he.2001.101.6.292.3

Our image of autism has been very distorted by the media, which has tended to concentrate on the, in fact very rare, “savants” with the kind of extraordinary and dramatic numerical, artistic or musical abilities, as depicted by Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. Such flamboyant forms of autism are in fact highly untypical of the syndrome as a whole. Even in the field of study, attention has tended to focus on the needs of those with “high functioning autism”. However autism is a spectrum which can exist at any level of ability, and is more often combined with severe learning difficulties than many have supposed, while the diagnosis of severe learning difficulties is often complicated by the unsuspected presence of autism. Rita Jordon has a lifetime of experience of working with individuals with autism, and in this timely and much needed book she provides a practical guide to the effective treatment and care of those with autism with severe learning difficulties, whose special needs have long been overlooked and neglected. She shows, through examples, how the behaviour that characterises this condition can best be understood, and explores how to build on the strengths the clients have, while reducing their problems. Her approach used techniques from a variety of programmes, and covers important and sensitive issues, such as the implications of the dual diagnosis of autism with learning difficulties, the kind of behaviour and development that is characteristic of this condition, the thorny problem of fostering social interaction, appropriate educational responses and supportive enviroments, understanding and managing challenging behaviour, support for parents, sexuality, and the transition to adulthood. The book will be invaluable to parents, key workers, and all who advise them in their challenging tasks of living and working with this fascinating group of individuals.