SBS Learn English: Talking about autism

autism.JPG

Disability means a person has trouble doing dome things because of a physical or mental condition. Credit: Dusan Stankovic/Getty Images

Learn how to talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder respectfully. Understand common autism symptoms and use simple language to describe autism in everyday conversations.


SBS Learn English will help you speak, understand and connect in Australia -  view all episodes.

This lesson is suitable for intermediate-level learners. After listening, test your knowledge with our quiz.

Colloquial expressions:


We use the phrase got diagnosed to describe the action when talking about the moment the doctor finds out what health condition someone has.


A learning curve is how fast or slow someone learns new things.


If something has made all the difference, it means it has helped a lot and changed things for the better


Vocabulary:


Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disability that people are born with. It happens because the brain works in a different way. It changes how people think, feel and see the world. But it’s not the same for everyone.


Disability means a person has trouble doing dome things because of a physical or mental condition. The word spectrum means many different things that are connected.


A diagnosis is the result or opinion a doctor gives after looking at someone's symptoms.


To be focused on something means to put a lot of attention to it or be very interested in it.


To struggle with something means to find it difficult.


A learning support teacher is a special teacher who helps students who need extra help with their learning.


A speech therapist is a specialist who helps people talk better.


Learning focus:


When we want to show that the effects of an action or activity that happened or started in the past are still continuing right to the present, we often use the past perfect tense (have/has + past participle). For example, Allan said:

  • It’s (has) been a bit of a learning curve (has + past participle been)
Because the learning curve started in the past after the diagnosis and he effects of the diagnosis are still there - they are still having to learn a lot quickly.


Claire said:

  • ..support has made all the difference for him (has + past participle made)
Because the support started in the past and the effects of the support are still there he is still doing better.


Try to listen out for when people use the present perfect to show that the effects of a past action of still ongoing.




Sign up for previews, updates and to provide feedback.


A big thank you to our guest Minette Sales. Paul Nicholson and Lily O'Sullivan voiced the characters of Allan and Claire, and Professor Lynda Yates was our educational consultant.





Advertisement


Learning notes


Examples of phrases you can use when talking about autism: 

  • My nephew got diagnosed with autism spectrum.  
  • My brother’s on the spectrum.  
  • They are autistic. 
  • She is living with autism. 
  • You said he got diagnosed recently? 
  • Did you notice anything before the diagnosis? 
  • If you don’t mind me asking, did anything seem different before? 
  • He’s really focused on trains. But he struggles with noise and changes to his routine. 
  • She finds it hard to make new friends. 
  • He needs extra help to understand social rules. 
  • It’s been a bit of a learning curve for all of us. 
  • He’s got a learning support teacher. 
  • Support made all the difference. 

Share
Follow SBS Assyrian

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Assyrian-speaking Australians.
Hear from people who have built successful lives in this new country.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service