About autism
Autism is a complex lifelong condition that affects how a person sees and understands the world and how they communicate and interact socially.
Like other neuro-diverse conditions, autism isn’t visible, which can make it difficult to understand and acknowledge. With the right structured support, education and care, autistic children and adults can live a full and independent life.
Did you know?
Roughly 1% of the UK population is born with autism. That’s around 700,000 people. However, that figure may be much higher if you consider that it’s based only on those people that have received a diagnosis. Not everyone is diagnosed.
Autism can affect:
Communication – where words, gestures, tones of voice and facial expressions can be confusing and open to misinterpretation.
Social relationships – autistic children and adults can often seem indifferent to other people, friends and even their parents / carers and they may struggle to make friends.
Processing – abstract ideas, imaginative thought and activities are affected, which means that autistic people can face difficulties in making sense of their experiences.
Sensory – some autistic people can be under or over sensitive to sounds, smells, touch, taste, and textures. Lights, for example, can be too bright, sounds can be too loud, and touch can be painful.
Autism in women and girls
The presentation of autism spectrum conditions can be different in women and girls. It can often be missed, or misdiagnosed, as the diagnostic systems have traditionally focused on young males.
However, thankfully, times are changing and in recent years we’ve begun to see conversations around autism gradually opening up in the media.
Autism in children and young people
It is common for parents and carers to look for guidance as they seek to support children and young people under their care. This could be to:
- Ensure their young person has everything they need to achieve their outcomes
- Help reduce challenging behaviour and conflicts that may arise in school or in the home
- Access support for specific difficulties the young person may be facing, such as sleeping or eating
- Address school avoidance, isolation or social difficulties
- Understand sensory needs and potential triggers
Peer meet-ups and access to advice is important in these cases, so that both child and parent can access the support they need. Unfortunately, there are still many challenges that some autistic young people face from a young age, but with the right individualised support, they can thrive.
