About Autism
Autistic spectrum disorders are complex developmental disorders associated with symptoms such as social and communication difficulties, repetitive behaviour, and narrow or overly-focussed interests.
These symptoms result from underlying challenges in a child’s ability to take in the world through his senses, and to use his body and thoughts to respond to it.
When these challenges are significant, they interfere with a child’s ability to grow and learn.
Autistic people are not physically disabled and ‘look’ just like anybody without the condition. Due to this invisible nature it can be much harder to create awareness and understanding of the condition.
Yet it is estimated that autistic spectrum disorders touch the lives of more than 500,000 families in the UK.
DIR provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating children challenged by autistic spectrum disorders.
It focuses on helping children to master the building blocks of relating, communicating and thinking, rather than concentrating on the symptoms alone.