Autism is a lifelong developmental disability. It is sometimes referred to as an autism spectrum disorder, or an ASD. The word 'spectrum' is used because, while all people with autism share three main areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in very different ways. Some are able to live relatively 'everyday' lives; others will require a lifetime of specialist support.
The three main areas of difficulty which all people with autism share are sometimes known as the 'triad of impairments'. They are:
- difficulty with social communication
- difficulty with social interaction
- difficulty with social imagination
It can be hard to create awareness of autism as people with the condition do not 'look' disabled: parents of children with autism often say that other people simply think their child is naughty; while adults find that they are misunderstood.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. While there are similarities with autism, people with Asperger syndrome are often of average, or above average, intelligence. They usually have fewer problems with speech but may still have problems with understanding and processing language. This may be as a result of specific learning conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.
All people with autism can benefit from a timely diagnosis and access to appropriate services and support.
More information about autism and Asperger syndrome can be found on the National Autistic Society website.
