Autism and EducationalPsychologyIt is important to understand thatthe term ‘autism’ is a medicalterm and only medicalpractitioners, with suitablequalifications, can say whether achild is autistic or not. If a parentor carer has any concerns aboutwhether their child is autistic, theyshould visit their GeneralPractitioner (GP) and obtain theirprofessional opinion aboutwhether a referral to a suitablyqualified expert is necessary.

Educational Psychologists are notmedically qualified and they donot offer to diagnose autism orindeed to speculate on whetheror not a child might meet thecriteria for a diagnosis of autism.

Educational Psychologists may beconsulted about any aspect of achild's development or behaviour,whether or not they have amedical diagnosis.

Educational Psychologists are alsoexperts in assessing the SpecialEducational Needs of childrenwho have a diagnosis of autismand they can give advice toparents about what provision isavailable to meet the child’sSpecial Educational Needs. It isimportant to understand thatchildren with a diagnosis of autismshow as many differences fromeach other as any other childrenand above all they must beassessed as the individuals theyare.

The Medical ModelGenerally speaking if you takeyour child to a medical doctor,they will adopt a medicalapproach using the so-called‘medical model’, which is veryfamiliar to us. This means thedoctor:

• asks what the symptomsare.

• makes a diagnosis basedon the symptoms.

• suggests an appropriatetreatment, if there is one.

• following the treatment,decides whether a curehas been possible orwhether there is no cureand only the symptomscan be treated.

Autism and Educational Psychology

OEAC White Paper - Autism and Educational PsychologyFebruary 2011

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*all children and adults featured in photos are models

All original content © Oxford Educational Assessment Centre LLP 2011

The Learning ModelIf you take your child to aneducational psychologist, they willadopt a different approach usingthe so-called ‘learning model’.This means the psychologist:

• listens to what theparents and teachers sayabout the child'sdevelopment andprogress.

• determines what thechild can do and whatthe child cannot do withsome reference to whatmost children can do at aparticular age.

• determines what they, oryou, would like the childto learn.

• suggests ways ofencouraging andteaching the child so that

they can achieve whatthey, or you, havedecided.

• reviews their progressand suggests what thenext step might be.

The learning model can be appliedto all children irrespective of anymedical diagnosis they may have.

A Word of CautionProfessional practitioners,whether they are medicallytrained or practise aspsychologists, do not speculateabout children's development andeducational needs. It is onlythrough a careful and thoroughassessment, based on theirtraining and experience, that theyarrive at a point where they areprepared to give theirprofessional opinion.

Many parents have beenunnecessarily upset by

speculation from people who arenot qualified to pass comment orto give an opinion. What they saymay be based on hearsay and onlypartial knowledge or evidence. Ittakes many years of training andexperience to distinguish betweendifferent types of behaviourobserved in children and this isespecially true when thebehaviour is thought to beextreme. The best advice for anyparent, who is concerned abouttheir child and their child’sdevelopment, should be to obtaina professional opinion at theearliest opportunity.

If unqualified people choose togive their opinion on what mightbe the reason for the behaviourthey observe in a child, theyshould be asked what relevantprofessional qualifications theyhave and what evidence they areusing when they draw theirconclusions.

OEAC White Paper - Autism and Educational PsychologyFebruary 2011

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Psychological AssessmentChildren who have beendiagnosed with autism may haveSpecial Educational Needs. Inthese circumstances, it isappropriate to carry out anassessment following theframework in the SpecialEducational Needs Code ofPractice. It is possible to obtain afree copy the Code of Practicefrom the government, ordownload it at:

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=3724

Some behaviours that might bediscussed with an educationalpsychologist are:

• significant difficultieswith languagedevelopment

• significant difficulty inengaging in socialinteractions

• an inconsistent responseto sensory input withperhaps periods ofapparent deafness orunresponsiveness

• a very restricted range ofinterests and activitieswhich may be highlyfocused and repeatedconstantly

Asperger’s SyndromeSome autistic children are giventhe additional diagnostic label ofAsperger’s Syndrome. All that hasbeen said above would apply tochildren with Asperger'sSyndrome and the need for aprofessional opinion appliesequally to children who may bethought to have Asperger’sSyndrome.

Further Information:Information and advice aboutautism can be obtained fromthe National Autistic Society.

http://www.autism.org.uk/

For Advice on EducationalPsychology Assessment visit :

http://www.oeac.co.uk/

OEAC White Paper - Autism and Educational PsychologyFebruary 2011

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OEAC

*all children and adults featured in photos are modelsAll original content © Oxford Educational Assessment Centre LLP 2011