Autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay
For children
People with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay face difficulties in many areas, especially those that call for, or bring about, contact with their surroundings. These are severe, early-onset disorders, marked by delays and impairments in the development of social interaction, cognitive and communication skills.
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The difficulties faced by people with ASD or developmental delay affect many areas, particularly those that call for, or bring about, contact with their surroundings.
These are severe, early-onset disorders, marked by delays and impairments in the development of social interaction, cognitive and communication skills.
The nerve pathways linking the ear to the brain contain special neurons (both motor and sensory) known as “mirror neurons”. They play an important part in building social cognition: the set of processes that allow us to attribute intentions and ideas to another person, and even to understand how they feel.
Autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pervasive developmental disorder (PDD): what is the difference?
Today, these three terms describe one and the same condition. Because symptoms vary so widely from one autistic person to another, a term covering the whole spectrum was needed, and so “PDD” came into use. Within this group were categories such as childhood autism (or Kanner's autism), Asperger's syndrome and atypical autism. This caused a great deal of confusion, suggesting that people with PDD were not autistic. Since 2010, the term PDD has increasingly been replaced by ASD.
The Tomatis Method has proved effective
By working on these nerve pathways, the Tomatis® Method aims to improve both our ability to communicate and the quality of our relationship skills.
The Tomatis® Method has proved effective in supporting people with autistic disorders and associated behaviours (for example Asperger's syndrome). There are many possible approaches to helping people with these conditions.
It is important to note that the Tomatis Method should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which may include other interventions such as occupational therapy, behaviour analysis and education.
Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism without intellectual disability or language delay.
Asperger's syndrome is one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects boys more often than girls, and mainly affects the way people communicate and interact with others. These people take in everyday situations easily: their body, their brain and their five senses receive information correctly, but a lack of analysis prevents that information from being processed. As a result, the person experiences life and their surroundings in a confused way, and needs guidance through the complexities of social life.
The syndrome was first described in 1943 by the Viennese paediatrician Hans Asperger, then reassessed by the psychiatrist Lorna Wing in 1981. It was finally given official recognition in 1994 in the DSM-IV, the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual. In Switzerland, it remains little known.
Links
Autisme Suisse Romande - http://www.autisme.ch
Asperger's syndrome - http://asperger.autisme.ch/syndrome
In their own words
“I noticed that, as the days went by, his drawings filled out. They became more complex, with subjects I wasn't used to seeing him draw.”
“Kevin was very receptive, even though classical music wasn't really his favourite kind of music.”
“This is the result of your support and your method, which really took a weight off my mind and helped Hakim move forward and gain confidence in himself.”
