Autism
What is it?
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning that while all autistic people share certain characteristics, being autistic affects them in different ways.
People with autism may: - Find it hard to understand what other people are thinking or feeling - Get very anxious about social situations - Find it hard to make friends or prefer to be on their own - Seem blunt, rude, or not interested in others without meaning to - Find it hard to express how they feel
People with autism often also find it hard to:
- quickly recall words
- follow directions that are given in large chunks instead of step by step
This means that they will struggle in school. Autism often co-occurs with other difficulties such as ADHD or dyspraxia.
It is also possible for a person with autism to have autism.
What to look out for
Autism is a hidden disability and cannot be reliably determined without a set of assessments performed by a certified assessor. However, many of the signs below may indicate autism. And even if the person is not autism, they can still benefit from the same strategies.
Look out for:
- Social awkwardness or isolation
- Anxiety about changes to routine
- Unpredictable reactions
- Unusual reactions to touch, sound, or lighting
- Misunderstanding sarcasm, banter, or figurative language
- Avoiding or unusual eye contact
- Being pedantic about rules
- Special or obsessive interests
What to do
Maintain predictable environment and routine, Give time to calm down when anxious, Use visual supports.
Other strategies include:
- Maintain predictable environment and routine
- Give time to calm down when anxious
- Use visual supports
- Avoid sarcasm and banter
- Be patient, allow time to process information
- Give clear, short directions
- Inform about changes to routine in advance
Related strategies
FAQs
How many people have autism?
It is estimated that around 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum.
Does autism affect everyone in the same way?
No. Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning it affects people in different ways. Some people need little or no support, while others may need help from a parent or carer every day.
What is the difference between autism and Asperger syndrome?
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above-average intelligence and may have fewer issues with speech but may still struggle with understanding and processing language.
Related behaviours
Misunderstands sarcasm and banter
Many people with autism have trouble dealing with language that is not exactly literal. They may not understand irony, sarcasm, or metaphor.
Unusual eye contact
People with autism may struggle with the social rules around eye contact because they have to learn these rules explicitly rather than intuitively.
Anxious about changes
People with autism rely on a stable, structured environment. They have to learn the rules explicitly and changes cause significant stress.
Pedantic about rules
People on the autism spectrum rely on rules to navigate situations that others handle intuitively. All rules feel equally important to them.