In producing this information, we recognise that different individuals and groups prefer to use various terms, including autistic spectrum disorder, autism spectrum condition, autistic spectrum difference, and neuro-diversity. The Society uses the term autism.
Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people. It also affects how a person makes sense of the world around them. The word “spectrum” is used because the condition’s characteristics vary from person to person.
The three main areas of impairment, which all people with autism share, are known as the “triad of impairments”.
- Language and communication (e.g., problems in recognising and understanding verbal and nonverbal language, such as gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice).
- Social and emotional (e.g problems in recognising and understanding other people’s feelings and managing their own).
- Flexibility of thought (e.g problems in understanding and predicting other people’s intentions and behaviour, and imagining situations outside of their routine)
Many people with autism may experience some form of sensory sensitivity (hyper) or under-sensitivity (hypo), for example, to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, or colours. Research now suggests that sensory issues will impact the other areas of the Triad of Impairments.
People with autism often prefer to have a fixed routine and can be averse to change. Like the general population, people with autism may also have an associated condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or dyspraxia.
Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger Syndrome have fewer problems with speaking than others on the autism spectrum and are often of average or above average intelligence.
It can be hard to create awareness of autism as people with the condition often have no obvious disability – many people with autism find that they are misunderstood. Some individuals will not want their condition recognised, but their need for support may be significant. In such cases, parents and other relatives often provide the care and support needed.