Tips on helping kids out of their shells

Home tutor Valerie Sheehan has developed books for children with autism, offering strategies to support all of the family, says Karen Murray.

A report last year from the National Council for Special Education found that 14,000 students have an autism diagnosis — that’s one in every 65 students or 1.5% of the school population. A 2013 study estimated that there was a one in 100 autism rate among children.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterised by difficulties in social interaction and communication and a restricted, repetitive repertoire of interests and activities. Global studies have estimated that one child in every 160 has an ASD, but the World Health Organisation says recent studies have reported a substantially higher rate.