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What is autism?

What is autism?

Although it was first identified in 1943, autism is still a relatively unknown disability. Yet autistic spectrum disorders are estimated to touch the lives of over 500,000 families throughout the UK.

People with autism are not physically disabled in the same way that a person with cerebral palsy may be; they do not require wheelchairs and they ‘look’ just like anybody without the disability. Due to this invisible nature it can be much harder to create awareness and understanding of the condition.

‘Because an autistic child looks ‘normal’ others assume they are naughty or the parents are not controlling the child. Strangers frequently comment on this ‘failing’.

Carer

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulty relating to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to develop friendships is generally limited as is their capacity to understand other people’s emotional expression.

People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.

There is also a condition called Asperger syndrome which is a form of autism used to describe people usually at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum. For more information refer to our leaflet What is Asperger syndrome?

‘Reality to an autistic person is a confusing, interacting mass of events, people, places, sounds and sights. There seems to be no clear boundaries, order or meaning to anything. A large part of my life is spent just trying to work out the pattern behind everything.’

A person with autismautism?

What are the characteristics of autism?

People with autism generally experience three main areas of difficulty; these are known as the triad of impairments.

  • Social interaction (difficulty with social relationships, for example appearing aloof and indifferent to other people).
  • Social communication (difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication, for example not fully understanding the meaning of common gestures, facial expressions or tone of voice).
  • Imagination (difficulty in the development of interpersonal play and imagination, for example having a limited range of imaginative activities, possibly copied and pursued rigidly and repetitively).

In addition to this triad, repetitive behaviour patterns and resistance to change in routineare often characteristic.

What causes autism?

The exact cause or causes of autism is/are still not known but research shows that genetic factors are important. It is also evident from research that autism may be associated with a variety of conditions affecting brain development which occur before, during, or very soon after birth.

Diagnosis

The earlier a diagnosis of autism is made, the better the chances are of a person receiving appropriate help and support.

Can people with autism be helped?

Specialist education and structured support can really make a difference to a person with autism’s life, helping to maximise skills and achieve full potential in adulthood.

The National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society, established in 1962, has grown into the UK’s foremost organisation for people with autism and those who care for them, spearheading national and international initiatives and providing a strong voice for autism. The organisation works in many areas to help people with autism live their lives with as much independence as possible.

Today the NAS:

  • runs education and adult centres
  • supports local authorities in the development of their own specialist services
  • publishes a range of books and leaflets
  • has a library that parents and researchers can use by appointment
  • runs an autism helpline for parents and carers and people with autistic spectrum disorders
  • organises conferences and training programmes
  • co-ordinates the work of volunteers on nationwide parent to parent and befriending schemes
  • offers specialist diagnosis and assessment services
  • encourages research into the causes of autism
  • supports local groups and families around the country
  • raises awareness and creates a better understanding of autism
  • provides consultancy to professionals and organisations working in the field of autism
  • offers an accreditation programme for autism-specific education and care services
  • runs Prospects, a supported employment service for adults with autistic spectrum disorders.

The National Autistic Society

Headquarters

393 City Road, London

EC1V 1NG

Switchboard: 020 7833 2299

Fax: 020 7833 9666

Minicom: 0845 070 4003

E-mail: [email protected]

www.autism.org.uk

Useful Telephone Numbers

Autism Helpline: 0845 070 4004

Education advice line:

0845 070 4002

Fundraising: 020 7903 3559

Information: 020 7903 3599

Press: 020 7903 3593

Publications: 020 7903 3595

NAS Scotland

Central Chambers

109 Hope Street

Glasgow G2 6LL

Tel: 0141 221 8090

Fax: 0141 221 8118

Email: [email protected]

NAS Wales

Glamorgan House, Monastry Road,

Neath Abbey SA10 7DH

Tel: 01792 815 915

Fax: 01792 815 911

Email: [email protected]

Services Division – for details of NAS schools and adult centres

Church House, Church Road

Filton, Bristol BS34 7BD

Tel: 0117 974 8400

Fax: 0117 987 2576

Email: [email protected]

Prospects Employment Consultancy

Tel: 020 7704 7450

Fax: 020 7359 9440

Email: [email protected]

Development and Outreach and Training

Castle Heights, 4th Floor

72 Maid Marian Way

Nottingham NG1 6BJ

Tel: 0115 911 3360

Fax: 0115 911 2259

Email: [email protected]

Training and conferences

Tel: 0115 911 3363/67

Fax: 0115 911 3362

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Volunteers co-ordination

Tel: 0115 911 3369

Fax: 0115 911 3362

Email: [email protected]

Parent to Parent

Tel: 0800 9 520 520

The Centre for Social and Communication Disorders

Elliot House

113 Masons Hill

Bromley BR2 9HT

Tel: 020 8466 0098

Fax: 020 8466 0118

This document was provided by The National Autistic Society. www.nas.org.uk.