About Autism

Autism is a life-long condition affecting over 700,000 people in the UK. It is a spectrum condition meaning that it is extremely complex and affects people differently and to varying degrees. Autism is broadly defined as affecting three main areas, known as the ‘Triad of Impairments:

social communication;

social interaction;

social imagination.

Whilst some people with autism can lead independent lives, some will need lifelong care and others will need some degree of support, which will change over the course of their lifetime.

Autism is not a learning disability. About half of all people with autism have average or above-average intelligence.

It is not a mental illness, although one in three people with autism develop mental health difficulties due to the challenge of adapting to society with no support.

People with autism often also have issues with sensory processing. They can either be over-or under-sensitive to any of their senses (light, smell, touch, hearing, taste, balance and self-awareness).

There is no cure for autism but early diagnosis and specialist support has been shown to greatly improve the quality of life of people with autism.

Autism is a hidden condition, meaning that it is often difficult to tell that someone has it. Lack of autism awareness can lead to misunderstandings about the reasons that a person with autism may behave in a certain way. This can sometimes increase anxiety and depression in people with autism. Increasing autism awareness and inclusion is the key to ensuring that people with autism receive the right support and understanding throughout their lives.