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This episode is for intermediate English language learners, to build vocabulary, confidence and understanding of this topic. The dialogue and phrases are one specific example of adults discussing a young child who was recently diagnosed. We do not assume this covers all perspectives. We acknowledge that people have personal preferences and individual perspectives to decide how they're described. We encourage those interested in learning more to use resources from organisations such as Aspect and Raising Children.
Learning notes
Examples of phrases you can use when talking about autism:
- My nephew got diagnosed with autism.
- My brother’s on the spectrum.
- They are autistic.
- She is living with autism.
- They are neurodivergent.
- They are differently abled.
- You said he got diagnosed recently?
- Did you notice anything before the diagnosis?
- 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.
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.
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.
