Transdev Queensland
Disability Action Plan 2019
SUMMARY
Transdev Queensland is an operator of bus services in South East Queensland and is committed to promoting the independence and dignity of all passengers on board our services.
This document is a contractually obligated commitment to detail the processes that Transdev Queensland employ to ensure compliance with the:
Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Queensland Ant-Discrimination Act 1991 Commonwealth Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
These processes can be divided into three categories:
Customer Service Physical Accessibility of Vehicles Company Procedures
This analysis has revealed that Transdev is compliant on all regulatory requirements. However, this does not satisfy our intention to eliminate discrimination on our services and as such we are committed to continually improving the processes outlined in this document. This includes developing a disability-specific Operating Procedure, developing relationships with key community advocacy groups and actively seeking input from people with disabilities to improve our services.
The physical and social accessibility of our services to people with disabilities is a critical priority for this company. Discrimination is not tolerated on our services and Transdev welcomes any feedback regarding this to Translink or directly to our offices using our company website.
Document Control Version Approved By Date 1.0 Managing Director, Transdev Queensland August 2018 2.0 Head of Business Operations, Transdev October Queensland 2019
Review Cadence: Every three years, or as required Next date for review: October 2022
1 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 OVERVIEW Introduction
Transdev Queensland recognises the vitality of public transport in supporting those who have a disability by providing independence, mobility and the ability to genuinely participate in community life. Transdev Queensland, therefore, strives to eliminate physical and social barriers that people with disabilities may face when using public transport. This is the contractual, legal and moral responsibility of this company.
Transdev Queensland services bus routes across: Redlands City bus routes Routes to Brisbane and Brisbane CBD Routes to Logan Hyperdome
It is Transdev Queensland’s aim to enhance the customer experience for all customers that travel with us, but with special consideration of the needs of customers with disabilities.
Purpose
This Disability Action Plan will illustrate how this company seeks to assist people with a disability to participate in community life by improving the accessibility of our network in compliance with Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, and Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 as well as and contractual obligations with the Client, State of Queensland through the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Relevant Legislation and Requirements
I. Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Queensland) a) The purpose of this Act is to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity, including work, education and accommodation.
II. Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) The objects of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is
a. to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against persons on the ground of disability in the areas of:
(i) work, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sport; and (ii) the provision of goods, facilities, services and land…
2 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 b. to ensure, as far as practicable, that persons with disabilities have the same rights to equality before the law as the rest of the community; and c. to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.
III. The Disability Standard for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines 2002
a. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 seeks to eliminate discrimination, ‘as far as possible’, against people with disabilities. Public transport is a service covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. b. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 set out minimum requirements for public transport operators, with a twenty-year timetable for compliance. c. This means that all public transport coach and bus services are to comply fully with the relevant Standards by 31 December 2022.
IV. The Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 The objects of this act are to: a. Protect the right of people with a disability who rely on guide, hearing or assistance dogs to be accompanied by the person’s guide, hearing or assistance dog in places of accommodation and particular public places and public passenger vehicles; and b. provide a simple and consistent means of identifying properly trained guide, hearing and assistance dogs…
V. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2007 a. reaffirms the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with disabilities to be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination
These legislative requirements ensure discrimination against persons with disabilities is illegal in the state of Queensland, and under Australian and International law.
Definitions
Transdev Queensland acknowledges disability and discrimination as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and discrimination in the provision of goods or services as defined in Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.
I. Disability:
3 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 disability, in relation to a person, means: a. total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions; or b. total or partial loss of a part of the body; or c. the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or d. the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or e. the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body; or f. a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or g. a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour; and includes a disability that: h. presently exists; or i. previously existed but no longer exists; or j. may exist in the future (including because of a genetic predisposition to that disability); or k. is imputed to a person. To avoid doubt, a disability that is otherwise covered by this definition includes behaviour that is a symptom or manifestation of the disability.
II. Discrimination:
A person (the discriminator) discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the ground of a disability of the aggrieved person if, because of the disability, the discriminator treats, or proposes to treat, the aggrieved person less favourably than the discriminator would treat a person without the disability in circumstances that are not materially different.
III. Discrimination in the provision of goods and services goods and services
(1) A person who supplies goods or services (whether or not for reward or profit) must not discriminate against another person—
a. by failing to supply the goods or services; or b. in the terms on which goods or services are supplied; or c. in the way in which goods or services are supplied; or d. by treating the other person unfavourably in any way in connection with the supply of goods and services.
4 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 DISABILITY ACTION PLAN
The processes and procedures described below align in purpose with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) which seeks, “to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.” Through embodying these principles in our internal and external procedures, Transdev Queensland intends to emphasise the importance of social inclusion, independence and dignity of all people with disabilities.
These processes and procedures has been divided into three categories:
Customer Service Physical Accessibility of Vehicles Company Procedures
Customer Service Responsible persons include: Head of Business, Operational Excellence Officer, Customer & Communication Business Partner, Customer Experience team.
Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods Employees need to 1. Training module, 1. Already in Feedback be equipped with ‘Transporting place and forms from skills and Passengers with ongoing bus operators knowledge to Disabilities’ Complaint and appropriately included in suggestion address and assist induction training. monitoring people with Training from bus disabilities. incorporates operators and resources from the members of Australian Network 2. From 2020 the public on Disability (AND). Compliance audits 2. Revised refresher training course for 3. Already existing staff, to available include new module and Guide.
3. Further specific 4. In development information pack detailing how to identify, interact and assist with
5 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods specific disabilities. See Appendix: 1
4. Develop a Standards of Excellence for employees, detailing expectations of employee conduct and customer service
Operational 1. Onboarding training 1. Already in place Feedback training is required covering topics forms from to operate a such as parking bus operators vehicle in a distance from curb, Annual review manner mindful to lowering bus, scheduled for passengers with lowering ramp etc. October 2020. disabilities Complaint and 2. Develop an 2. In development suggestion operating monitoring procedure to detail from bus expectations of operators and employee conduct members of the public. Compliance audits Outreach and 1. TDQ representative 1. In place and Observation consultation with to attend local on-going and review disability advocacy Disability Network groups and people Meetings with disabilities 2. Further community 2. Proposed for outreach 2020 opportunities to be identified Discrimination 1. Bus operators are 1. In place and Monitoring against people trained to be on-going feedback with disabilities on responsible for the Incident our services treatment of their reports passengers with care and respect 2. In development 2. Develop an operating
6 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods procedure to detail expectations of employee conduct To ensure service 1. Training includes 1. In place and Monitoring animals are information about on-going feedback welcomed on service animal right Feedback vehicles and passes forms from 2. In development bus operators 2. Develop a Standards of Excellence for employees, detailing expectations of employee conduct and customer service
Monitoring of the 1. Monitoring 1. Already in Monitoring experiences of customer feedback place and on- feedback disabled and responding going customers on our network 2. Customer 2. In progress – experience sessions regular annual centred assessing assessment in the network from place the perspective of interest groups eg. wheelchair users. 3. 2020
3. Further outreach options under discussion
7 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 Vehicle Physical Accessibility Responsible persons include: Head of Business, Fleet and Facilities Manager, HSEQ Specialist and Maintenance team members.
Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods Compliance with 1. All vehicles are 1. Already in place Feedback Australian Bus assessed by TMR forms from Standards every 6 months. bus operators Annual review scheduled for October 2020.
All public transport 1. Transdev must 1. Transdev is on Continual services are to continue to assess track to assessment fully comply with these standards to meeting this from Head of the relevant ensure compliance. target Business and Standards of the Fleet and Disability Facilities Standards for Manager Accessible Public Compliance Transport 2002 by audits 2022. Wheelchair access 1. Non-compliant 1. Transdev Compliance to vehicles buses being Queensland is audits phased out by on schedule to Maintenance 2020 replace all non- request forms compliant 2. Priority vehicles within maintenance of timeframe vehicles with access issues Accommodating 1. Non-compliant 1. Ongoing until Observation wheelchair users vehicles prioritised 2022 Monitoring of until 2022 when for routes which customer the fleet is entirely wheelchair users feedback wheelchair are not known to compliant use
2. Transdev Queensland welcomes requests for compliant vehicles from community
8 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods members on routes Communication 1. Signage externally 1. Completed Compliance required to on front of buses 2019 audits customers about wheelchair accessible vehicles Maximum load 1. Transdev 1. Already in place Compliance supported by a Queensland buses audits boarding device utilize ramps that must be in excess have a maximum of 200kg. load capacity of 300kg Accommodation of 1. Stop buttons on 1. Buttons are Observation information for vehicle with braille being replaced passengers with replacing without as per need visual impairment braille
Internal Company Procedure Responsible persons include: Head of Business, People and Culture Specialist.
Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods Our employees 1. Transdev commits 1. Already in Progress should be to employing place and metrics representative of people of diverse ongoing Staff feedback the communities impairments and we serve. abilities where possible 2. Already in 2. Aim to provide an place and environment where ongoing everyone can thrive and value what makes each of us different Bus operators 1. Consultative 1. Already in Written experiences with Committees, with place and assessments people with Diversity and ongoing Review of disabilities are Inclusion focus suggestions valuable and need to have 2. Suggestion forms for improvements to business
9 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 CONCLUSION
Transdev is compliant with all regulations stipulated by the Commonwealth Anti- Discrimination Act 1991, Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standard for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines 2004.
However, in line with our aim to eliminate physical and social barriers to people with disabilities and remove discrimination on our services, we have identified key areas for improvement. This includes the need to complete a disability-specific Operating Procedure, develop relationships with key community advocacy groups and actively seek input from people with disabilities to improve our services.
REFERENCES
Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 The Disability Standard for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines 2004 The Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 Transdev Diversity & Inclusion Policy 2017 Translink Customer Feedback page
10 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 APPENDIX 1: Transporting Passengers with Disabilities Guide
11 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 Transporting Passengers with Disabilities
Why do people with disabilities ride on public transport?
• They have places to go and things to do • Public transport can mean the difference between independence and dependence on other people • In a lot of cases people cannot hold (or have handed back in) a driver’s license
Social inclusion
• Passenger transport staff are people who are helpful without being patronising in their language / attitude or actions / who understand their role and responsibilities in transporting passengers with disabilities
• Transdev partners with the Australian Network on Disability (AND) – not- for-profit organisation resourced by members to advance inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of business
o AND helps organisations to develop behaviours / attitudes, systems / knowledge to successfully engage with people with disability as employees /customers / suppliers / stakeholders.
Rights of People with Disabilities
• Passengers with disabilities are to be treated with the same respect as any other passenger • Remember it is your responsibility to ensure that all our passengers arrive at their destination in a safe manner and they are all treated with due care and respect.
Support of people with disabilities:
Some passengers may need to have carers / assistants / service animals accompany them
A service animal is one trained by a recognised individual agency (e.g. Guide dog) / not subject to a fare
A carer or an assistant should be prepared to pay a fare unless they produce a travel pass stating otherwise
Tips for Communication with • Don’t shout / use big hand Customers with Disability gestures / or speak extra slowly to someone who is • When approaching a customer – hard of hearing or has be polite / introduce yourself / difficulty understanding – ask how you can help just speak clearly
• Wait until your offer is accepted • Try put yourself at eye before trying to assist someone level with a customer who • Be considerate of extra time it is a wheelchair user / speak may take some customers to do directly to them or say some things • Don’t push a person’s • Don’t patronise or talk down to a wheelchair if they haven’t person with disability, or assume asked you to – NEVER lean that they won’t understand you on or hang things from a person’s wheelchair • Be aware that some people may • need written information to be Check hinged seating / provided in different formats, access as part of start up such as electronic, large font, procedure Braille or audio. Verbal • Check pathways are clear instructions can also be very of obstructions helpful. • Establishing if physical or • If a person is blind or has a customer service vision impairment – consider assistance is required describing layout of area – especially obstacles like stairs / • Monitor passenger is furniture / footpath obstacles seated / secured / stable
• Don’t distract a guide dog or • Assist passengers to assistance animal by patting it or board/alight if requested – giving it food offer other assistance which suits • Speak directly to customer – even when they are • Provide ongoing support to accompanied by an interpreter / passenger in accordance assistant with disability
• Always face customer when you speak to them – so they can Do not speak to read your lips if they need to – don’t cover your mouth or speak passenger in a when your back is turned demeaning manner
Remember: Many disabilities are not visible. Be considerate always.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is an illness that disrupts the functioning of the human mind. It causes intense episodes of psychosis involving delusions and hallucinations, and longer periods of reduced expression, motivation and functioning. It is treatable. Schizophrenia facts
The causes are complex: genetics, your early development, substance abuse, stressful social circumstances and trauma (particularly in childhood) can increase your chances of experiencing schizophrenia.
It’s common: worldwide, up to one in 100 people will experience schizophrenia.
It starts young: schizophrenia most often develops between the late teens and early 30s, though it can start later, especially in women.
Schizophrenia myths Symptoms
Myth: ‘It’s split personality’ Psychosis
Reality: Schizophrenia has nothing to do One of the main symptoms of schizophrenia is with ‘multiple personalities.’ psychosis. A person experiencing psychosis finds it hard to tell what is real from what isn’t. Psychosis Myth: ‘You can “catch” it’ is often experienced in episodes — short periods of Reality: Schizophrenia is not contagious. intense symptoms. The main symptoms of psychosis are: Myth: ‘People with schizophrenia are violent’ delusions — false beliefs that can’t be changed by evidence Reality: People being treated for schizophrenia are no more likely to be hallucinations — hearing voices or otherwise violent than anyone else, but they are sensing things that aren’t real more likely to be the victims of violence. disordered thinking — muddled, disrupted Myth: ‘You can just will it away’ thoughts and speech
Reality: Schizophrenia can’t be treated by disordered behaviour — unusual, inappropriate or diet, exercise, prayer or willpower alone. extreme actions. It requires evidence-based treatment by Related: Psychosis factsheet qualified mental health professionals.
Non-psychotic symptoms
In addition to psychosis, there are other kinds of symptoms experienced by people with schizophrenia. These vary from person to person — not everyone experiences all of these symptoms.
Some people living with schizophrenia may also experience low motivation, lose the ability to express emotions and feel much less pleasure.
Likewise, some people experiencing schizophrenia experience cognitive deficits — problems with attention, memory, verbal skills and other mental functions.
It’s also common to experience what’s called ‘functional decline’. People with schizophrenia often find it harder to work, be social and organise their lives.
These non-psychotic symptoms tend to last longer — a long period of functional decline is part of a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Seeking help
Schizophrenia frequently begins with general, hard-to-pin-down changes to someone’s thinking, emotions and behaviour. They tend to come and go, but if left untreated they get worse over time. The following are much stronger signs that something is wrong:
• preoccupation with a subject • speech or writing that is very fast, muddled, irrational or hard to understand • talking much less • loss of concentration, memory and/or attention • increased sensitivity to light, noise and/or other sensory inputs • withdrawing from relationships or hobbies • increased anger, aggression or suspiciousness • decreased or disturbed sleep • inactivity and/or hyperactivity • behaving in a way that’s reckless, strange or out of character • laughing or crying inappropriately, or being unable to laugh or cry • inattention to personal hygiene • depression and anxiety • being unable to feel or express happiness.
If you think you or someone you know might be experiencing these changes in their thinking or behaviour now, see a doctor immediately. The best place to start is your GP. Diagnosis & treatment
Schizophrenia takes time to diagnose. A GP can make an initial assessment then refer the patient to a specialist — usually a psychiatrist — for full diagnosis and treatment.
Treatments include antipsychotic medication, specialist psychological therapies and community support programs to help with social connection, physical health, accommodation and work or school.
Treatment for schizophrenia can last 2–5 years, or even longer. Many people continue to receive treatment and support to manage their illness across their lifetime. Over time, your treatments may change to reduce the type or intensity of treatments, improve the results and reduce side- effects.
Stigma
There’s a strong public perception that people experiencing schizophrenia are likely to be violent, even though this isn’t true. Film & TV depictions of violent killers are often labelled with a false, highly damaging idea of psychosis or schizophrenia. Some people react fearfully or judgmentally when they learn a person has a psychotic illness.
Stigma hurts, but you can protect yourself against false perceptions by learning as much as you can about it from reputable sources, and by talking with other people who have experienced schizophrenia, for example on the SANE Forums.
Communication impairment in Australia
What is communication? Communication involves speaking, hearing, listening, understanding, social skills, reading, writing and using voice.
What is communication impairment? People who have difficulty communicating may require assistance with: Speech: involves saying the sounds in words so that people can understand what is being said. For example, a child who doesn’t say words clearly or an adult who slurs their speech after an accident. Language: involves the exchange of ideas using words, usually in spoken or written form. For example, a child who has trouble understanding and following instructions or an adult who can’t find the right words after a stroke. Literacy: involves reading, understanding what is read and communicating in written form. Social Communication: is how we communicate and involves interpreting the context of a conversation, understanding non-verbal information and the social rules of communication that are needed to develop a relationship with another person. Voice: using the vocal cords or voice box to produce speech. For example, a person who frequently loses their voice or a person who has had surgery for throat cancer. Fluency: commonly known as stuttering. This problem is usually first noticed when a child starts putting sentences together but can continue into adulthood.
Communication impairment is more common than you think... • Children with autism, Down • 13,000 Australians use Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy electronic communication aids often begin their life with a to get their message across communication impairment • Children with a language • 20% of four year old children impairment are six times more have difficulty understanding or likely to have a reading problem using language than children without • 14% of 15 year olds have only • 46% of young Australian offenders basic literacy skills have a language impairment • 28% of teachers take time off • There is a high correlation work each year because of between communication voice problems difficulties and poor mental health • At least 30% of people post-stroke • Three in every 1,000 newborns suffer loss of language (aphasia) have hearing loss, which without intervention can affect their • 85% of those with Parkinson’s speech, language and literacy. disease have voice, speech and/ Indigenous children have three or swallowing difficulties times more hearing problems than non-Indigenous children Communication impairment in Australia
Causes of communication Speech and language difficulties can How do I become a impairment affect learning at school including speech pathologist? There are many different causes of literacy, numeracy and interacting Speech pathology communication impairment. Some socially with other children. Long is an accredited undergraduate or entry causes include: term implications of speech and level masters degree. • Neuro-developmental disorders language impairment include poor To find out more go to academic achievement, risk to such as autism, Down syndrome www.speech and cerebral palsy mental health, reduced employment pathologyaustralia. • Other medical conditions such options and social isolation. org.au/education- and-careers/ as cleft palate and vocal nodules People with communication university-courses • Hearing impairment impairment can suffer frustration, anger, embarrassment or grief as • Degenerative neurological How do I find a conditions such as Alzheimer’s they try to communicate their needs, speech pathologist or Parkinson’s Disease ideas and opinions. Others can in my area? • Damage to the brain due to misunderstand a communication Go to www. accident or illness impairment and respond speechpathology inappropriately or insensitively to the australia.org.au Sometimes communication person who is trying to communicate. and click on “Find a impairment can run in families, Speech Pathologist”. and sometimes the cause is Early intervention is the key to unknown. It can also sometimes be preventing or reducing the lifelong For further information misunderstood and misdiagnosed. implications for many Australians living contact Speech with communication impairment. Pathology Australia The impact – the national peak The impact of communication Speech pathologists help body representing impairment can range from mild to Speech pathologists are the speech pathologists, severe, with difficulties that can be specialists trained to assess, advise, the professionals temporary or last a lifetime. Even treat and advocate for people with who work with mild communication impairment communication impairment, and and advocate for people who have can have a serious impact on how their families. See the fact sheet a communication a person functions in their daily life, “What is a speech pathologist?” disability and all for more information. like speaking in class, ordering a Australian consumers meal in a restaurant or finding a job. of speech pathology services. Communication impairment can impact on interactions at home, at work and socially.
www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Each person with ASD is unique PLEASE REFER TO OUR OTHER brochures WHAT IS and has both strengths and FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES available: difficulties. Helping someone AUTISM with ASD begins with acceptance, • Occupational Therapy • Group Programs knowledge and understanding • Speech Pathology • Assessments and Plans SPECTRUM • Psychological Services • Information and Support Services of ASD and the individual. Further information and publications are available from autismsa.org.au DISORDER?
How can you help? How can we help? You can: Autism SA has been - Use clear and providing services to simple language; young people across South Australia since 1964. - List events sequentially; Our founding members - Give one instruction were families driven by at a time; the desire to ensure that they had access to the best - Take time to listen information, education, and communicate; treatment and support. - Warn of changes We have remained true or transitions; to our beginnings. - Simplify the environment In all of our services we where possible; www.autismsa.org.au aim to establish great - Offer a quiet space; and relationships, consistency in - Provide access to staff, expertise in the area sensory activities. of disability and specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder and evidence based and innovative practices.
If you would like more information on ASD or about our services 1/262 Marion Road, Netley contact 1300 AUTISM or PO Box 304, MARLESTON DC SA 5033 www.autismsa.org.au P (08) 8379 6976 F (08) 8338 1216
E [email protected] www.autismsa.org.au
ASA2124_Mar14
This brochure has been published with the support of the Government of South Australia. Autism Spectrum Disorder Frequently Asked Questions
(ASD) is a condition that What causes ASD? affects THE development The cause is unknown at present but it is generally accepted that it is caused by variations in brain structure or function. There is Of an individual across evidence to suggest that genetics plays an important role in the cause of ASD; it is likely to be multiple genes. Genes may create a theIR life span. “susceptibility” to developing ASD but researchers have not yet identified a single “trigger” that causes ASD to develop. There is Social communication, no medical or genetic screening currently available. restricted interests and How common is ASD? behaviours and sensory ASD affects 1 in 100 individuals (Fernell and Gillberg, 2010) in Australia and more males than females. The male to female ratio is processing differences approximately 4:1(Freitag, 2007, Abrahams and Geschwind, 2008). are the main areas of Do all individuals with ASD have intellectual disability? development affected. Some individuals with ASD have an intellectual disability whilst some have average or above average intelligence. Often individuals with ASD show an uneven pattern of skills having areas of The term ‘spectrum’ is used particular strength and other areas where support may be to indicate that no two required. people with ASD are the same. How do individuals with ASD communicate? Individuals with ASD vary greatly in their communication skills: The differences depend on Some individuals are highly articulate and effective communicators, the combinations of social often well above their chronological age; Some individuals may never develop language whilst others may only develop simple ability, communication level, language skills; Some may not develop speech at all but may cognitive ability (IQ), age, communicate with devices, signing, pictures or writing. Those who do communicate verbally may still have difficulties with the personality and many subtleties of language, such as tone of voice, knowing when to other factors. stop talking and adapting their language to suit their audience. How does ASD affect a person during their life? That is why it is important ASD is a lifelong condition. Most individuals will require varying degrees of support throughout their lives. The supports are to ensure that support and unique to the needs and age of the individual. Such supports intervention is individualised work on the areas that can best support the person to fulfil and maximise their potential. to achieve the best possible Using evidence based interventions and supports are important outcomes and get the most to ensure the success of the programs as these interventions out of life. have been researched and have shown positive outcomes. Fact sheet: Autism and Evidence Based Practice www.autismsa.org.au/factsheets explains the evidence based approach. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may display the following characteristics in varying degrees:
Unusual responses to sensory experiences May have special interests
Differences in using and Difficulty in understanding how May have a literal understanding May be unsure of how to join in May engage in understanding nonverbal their behaviour affects others of what people say with others and make friends challenging behaviour communication and body language
Ability to be extremely May use repetitive focused when working Fascination with parts of objects body movements on preferred activity or with repetitive movements
Differences in the development Differences in speech, language Difficulty initiating or May prefer to play alone or have of play activities, particularly development and content sustaining a conversation difficulty interacting with others imaginative play
May find change and transition difficult, feel secure in following same rules and routines Autism Spectrum Disorder is… a condition that affects the development of an individual across their lifespan. Early diagnosis is beneficial: having their needs recognised and understood will assist the individual with ASD to build lifelong skills. For further information about Autism Spectrum Disorder call the Autism SA infoline on 1300 AUTISM (1300 288 476) or visit www.autismsa.org.au ASA2432_Apr15