ASD: one on the spectrum

One important aspect to understand with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that it is a spectrum. Fredi Fish is one character designed to represent one of the many of the spectrum. The challenges and abilities that Fredi has might be different to individuals on the spectrum, with some or most aspects that are exactly the same or similar.

Every autistic person is unique - no two autistic persons are exactly the same - with a mix range of

• Strengths and challenges,

• Character traits and personality,

• Needs and interests,

• Intelligence,

• Development,

• Abilities, and adaptive skills,

• Emotion regulation techniques,

• Sensory processing modes,

• Communication challenges,

• Speech difficulties, ...

"Hello, my name is Fredi Fish. I am autistic, I will tell you a bit about me."

"I have difficulties with social communication and interaction across multiple contexts, and display restricted, repetitive behaviours."

"I have social-emotional reciprocity challenges"

"I do not do back-and-forth conversations, there is reduced sharing of my interests and emotions."

"I have difficulties with nonverbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction"

"I have poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication, I do not do much eye contact..."

"I have challenges in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships"

"I have difficulties in sharing imaginative play, It is challenging for me to adjust my behaviour to suit social contexts."

"Stereotyped and repetitive motor movements, use of objects, and speech."

• "Stimming: I display repetitive body movement and make repetitive noises.

• I repeat words and sounds I heard: echolalia.

• I use idiosyncratic phrases.

• I line up objects."

"Hyper/hypo reactivity to sensory input, and unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment"

"Sensitivity with an adverse response to particular/specific stimulus, I auto-regulate under a blanket/sheet/tent, I like colourful lights... "

"Restricted and fixated interests"

"I really like colours, alphabets and numbers, and songs and videos from my tablet."

"A preference and feelings of security in routines."

"I do not like changes and the unknown, change and transitions are difficult to cope with."