Understanding autism
A short guide to this complex condition and how
the National Autistic Society can help
A confusing and
overwhelming world
Autism is a lifelong disability which affects how people communicate
and interact with the world. It can often leave them confused and
overwhelmed. Autism is a spectrum condition, ranging from individuals
in need of 24-hour care to people who struggle with some aspects
of everyday life including forming friendships, coping at school or
managing at work. All autistic people are different. They will,
however, share some of the following characteristics:
• c
ommunication issues, from not speaking to needing
more time to process information
• r epetitive behaviour and routines and difficulty
with unexpected change
• anxiety in social situations and difficulty with interacting
• sensory sensitivity to light, touch, sound or smell
• intense and highly focused interests.
You’re not alone
There are over 700,000 autistic children and adults in the UK with
around three million family members and carers. Autistic people and
their families can often feel isolated and hidden, but help is available.
For more information on autism and getting help:
visit us at www.autism.org.uk
You can also join our online community or
find out where your local volunteer-led branch is.
or phone our helpline on 0808 800 4104
Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm and Friday 9am-3pm.
Front cover image: Hermione, published poet, autistic woman
and content assistant at the National Autistic Society
“The National Autistic Society
gave me excellent advice on
where to find help for my son.”
Dan, dad of Thomas, tractor fanatic and autistic boy
I’m not naughty or rude, I’m autistic
Sensory overload and difficulty with unexpected change
can lead to autistic adults and children having meltdowns
or shutdowns, often in public. They can also appear
insensitive because they struggle to ‘read’ people and
understand what is expected of them in a conversation.
Highly focused interests
Many autistic people have very focused interests, special
skills and extensive knowledge on their favourite topics.
With the right support, environment and educational
approach at key stages in their lives, autistic people can
go on to have successful and fulfilling lives and jobs.
The benefits of getting a diagnosis
A diagnosis can help autistic people and their families to
understand why they are experiencing certain difficulties.
It also makes it easier for them to access the vital services,
benefits and support at school, work or home they need.
Asperger syndrome and other terms
Currently, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the
overarching diagnosis. But, you will hear terms such as
Asperger syndrome and pathological demand avoidance
(PDA). Terminology will continue to change and be
redefined. For the latest, please check our website.
Girls and autism
It’s not just men and boys who are autistic. Studies put
the men to women ratio at anywhere between 16:1 to 2:1.
Girls often go undiagnosed and are labelled as ‘shy’
or ‘quirky’. Some professionals still fail to recognise
girls on the spectrum.
For more information:
visit our website at www.autism.org.uk
“The greatest discomfort for
autistic people can be the social
one. For me, it led to constant
self-persecution because I was
failing to manage the interactions.
I was confused about why people
behaved the way they did.”
Chris Packham, animal enthusiast, autistic man
and National Autistic Society ambassador
Here to help
The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic
people and their families. Since 1962, we have been offering services,
support and advice to help increase opportunities and reduce social
isolation for autistic people. Our goal is to build a society that works
for autistic people and help improve their lives.
Our services include:
• an extensive website with information and advice on autism
•
contact centres and helplines that responded to over 70,000
enquiries in 2017
• 1 16 volunteer-led branches offering support and activities
for autistic children and adults
• two child and adult diagnosis centres
• eight specialist schools for autistic children
• Over 70 care centres and services for autistic adults
• t raining and conferences for education, health and social
care professionals
• two quarterly magazines – Your Autism Magazine and the Spectrum
•
working with thousands of shops, businesses and local councils
to provide more autism-friendly services and environments
• c
ampaigning to increase public understanding and change
government policy to help improve the lives of autistic people.
For more information on autism and getting help:
visit us at www.autism.org.uk
or phone our helpline on 0808 800 4104
www.twitter.com/Autism
www.facebook.com/NationalAutisticSociety
“With the right support
and access to equal
opportunities, autistic
people can lead happy
lives and reach
their full potential.”
Tasinda, project worker for Anouska,
talented artist and autistic teenager
National Autistic Society
Transforming lives and
changing attitudes since 1962
• Our helpline, website and 116 local volunteer-led branches
provide information, support and practical advice to
hundreds of autistic people and their families every day.
• We train over 11,000 teachers, health workers and
other professionals every year to help ensure schools, health
services and workplaces meet the needs of autistic people.
• Our Too Much Information campaign has reached
65 million people, helping to increase understanding
of the difficulties autistic people face every day.
• In 2009, we led a campaign to persuade the Government
to introduce the first ever Autism Act in England that
guarantees the rights of autistic adults.
• Over 5,000 businesses take part in Autism Hour every year.
• To date, 52 organisations have been awarded our Autism
Friendly Award, including Buckingham Palace, Edinburgh Airport
and the BBC Media Centre in Salford.
With your help, we can do even more. Find out
how you can become a member and other ways
to support our charity at www.autism.org.uk
The National Autistic Society is a charity registered in
England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427)
Job No: 3626_180918
