'Understanding Autism' - In Residence 11, April 2009

Autism is a growing area of interest and concern in residential child care. The needs of some children who are affected by autism are met in autism-specific settings, or in disability units. It should be recognised, however, that children and young people affected by autism are appearing in all sectors of residential child care provision. As well as those who have a diagnosis, Myers (2004) suggested that there may be ‘hidden’ autism. This happens because children in residential care may have had multiple placements, and experienced such chaotic lifestyles that their health care monitoring has been disrupted. This paper will give a brief outline of what it means to be affected by autism and provide some guidelines for practice. It will also be illustrated by the voices of those affected by autism.