Autism

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Overview

What is autism?

Autistic people may act in a different way to other people

Autistic people may:

  • find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
  • find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
  • find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
  • get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
  • take longer to understand information
  • do or think the same things over and over

If you think you or your child may be autistic, get advice about the signs of autism.

Autism is not an illness

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older.

If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.

Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.

Autistic people can live a full life

Being autistic does not have to stop you having a good life.

Like everyone, autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they struggle with.

Being autistic does not mean you can never make friends, have relationships or get a job. But you might need extra help with these things.

Autism is different for everyone

Autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with autism is different.

Some autistic people need little or no support. Others may need help from a parent or carer every day.

Some people use other names for autism

There are other names for autism used by some people, such as:

  • autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the medical name for autism
  • Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome) is used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence.

More about Asperger's

People with Asperger's do not have the same learning disabilities that many people with autism have, but they might have a specific learning difficulty.

Some people call this "high-functioning" autism.

Doctors do not diagnose people with Asperger's anymore because it's now thought of as part of autism spectrum disorder. But if you were diagnosed with it before, this will stay as your diagnosis.

It's not clear what causes autism

Nobody knows what causes autism, or if it has a cause.

It can affect people in the same family. So it may sometimes be passed on to a child by their parents.

Autism is:

  • not caused by bad parenting
  • not caused by vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine
  • not linked to diet
  • not an infection you can spread to other people

Autistic people can have any level of intelligence

Some autistic people have average or above average intelligence.

Some autistic people have a learning disability. This means they may find it hard to look after themselves and need help with daily life.

Autistic people may have other conditions

Autistic people often have other conditions, such as:

  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • dyslexia
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • epilepsy

Find out more

Signs

Signs of autism in children

Autism in young children

Signs of autism in young children include:

  • not responding to their name
  • avoiding eye contact
  • not smiling when you smile at them
  • getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound
  • repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body
  • not talking as much as other children
  • not doing much pretend play
  • repeating the same phrases

Autism in older children

Signs of autism in older children include:

  • not seeming to understand what others are thinking or feeling
  • unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking ‘at’ others
  • liking a strict daily routine and getting very upset if it changes
  • having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
  • getting very upset if you ask them to do something
  • finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on their own
  • taking things very literally – for example, they may not understand phrases like "break a leg"
  • finding it hard to say how they feel

Autism in girls and boys

Autism can sometimes be different in girls and boys.

Autistic girls may:

  • hide some signs of autism by copying how other children behave and play
  • withdraw in situations they find difficult
  • appear to cope better with social situations
  • show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours

This means autism can be harder to spot in girls.

The National Autistic Society has more information about autistic women and girls

Get advice if:

  • you think your child might be autistic

You could speak to:

  • a GP
  • a health visitor (for children under 5)
  • any other health professional your child sees, such as another doctor or therapist
  • special educational needs (SENCO) staff at your child's school

Getting diagnosed can help your child get any extra support they might need.

Signs of autism in adults

Main signs of autism

Common signs of autism in adults include:

  • finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling
  • getting very anxious about social situations
  • finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
  • seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to
  • finding it hard to say how you feel
  • taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "break a leg"
  • having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes

Other signs of autism

You may also have other signs, like:

  • not understanding social "rules", such as not talking over people
  • avoiding eye contact
  • getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
  • noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not
  • having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
  • liking to plan things carefully before doing them

Autism in women 

Autistic women may be more likely to:

  • have learned to hide signs of autism to 'fit in' - by copying people who do not have autism
  • be quieter and hide their feelings
  • appear to cope better with social situations
  • show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours

This means it can be harder to tell you're autistic if you're a woman.

The National Autistic Society have more information about autistic women and girls

See a GP if:

  • you think you may be autistic

If you already see a health professional, such as another doctor or therapist, you could speak to them instead.

Getting diagnosed can help you get any extra support you might need.

Diagnosis

How to get diagnosed

1. Talk to someone for advice

If you think you or your child have signs of autism, the next step is to talk to someone about it.

You could speak to:

  • a GP
  • a health visitor (for children under 5)
  • any other health professional you or your child see, such as another doctor or therapist
  • special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school

Ask them about referring you or your child for an autism assessment.

An assessment is done by autism specialists. It's the only way to find out if you or your child are autistic.

Tips for when you speak to someone

Do

  • write a list of the signs of autism you think you or your child have and bring it with you
  • ask people who know you or your child well (like friends, family or teachers) if they have noticed any possible signs you could put on your list
  • bring a pen and paper so you can take notes
  • bring your child or someone who knows you well with you, if you think it might help (you do not have to)

Don’t

  • try not to talk too much about other things – autism should be the main thing you talk about

2. Have an autism assessment

An autism assessment is where a team of autism specialists check if you or your child are autistic.

An assessment team may:

  • ask about any problems you or your child are having
  • watch how you or your child interact with other people
  • speak to people who know you or your child well, such as family, friends, your GP or your child's teachers

At the end of the assessment, you'll be given a report saying if you or your child are autistic.

How a diagnosis can help

Parents and children

For parents and children, a diagnosis can help you:

  • understand your child's needs and how you can help your child
  • get advice about support for your child at school
  • get support for parents and carers of autistic people, such as financial benefits
  • understand that your child is not just being "naughty" or "difficult"

Adults

For adults, a diagnosis can help you:

  • understand why you might find some things harder than other people
  • explain to others why you see and feel the world in a different way
  • get support at college, university or work
  • get some financial benefits

If you find it hard to get an assessment

It's not always easy to get an autism assessment. Waiting times can also be very long.

If you're finding it hard to get an assessment, you could ask to speak to someone else, like another GP – this is called getting a second opinion.

It may also help to speak to other people who have been in a similar situation.

Find out more

What happens during an autism assessment

How to get an autism assessment

You need to be referred for an assessment by someone such as a GP or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school.

You may have to wait a few months to get an appointment.

What you can do while you wait for an assessment

If you think you or your child need support at school, home or at work, you can start getting help before having an assessment.

You can:

  • ask a GP if the assessment team can suggest any support groups
  • ask a GP to refer your child for speech and language therapy
  • find a local support group using the National Autistic Society services directory
  • talk to teachers or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school
  • speak to student support services at college or university
  • speak to your manager or human resources at work
  • ask your local council for a needs assessment to see what support they can recommend

What happens during an autism assessment

You or your child may have 1 or more appointments with a team of different professionals.

For children

The assessment team may:

  • ask you about your child's development, such as when they started talking
  • watch how you and your child interact, and how your child plays
  • read any reports sent by their GP, nursery or school
  • ask about their medical history and do a physical examination

A member of the team may also visit your child's school to watch them in class and at break time.

For adults

The assessment team may:

  • ask you to fill in a questionnaire about yourself and any problems you have
  • speak to someone who knew you as a child to find out about your childhood
  • read any reports from the GP about other health problems you may have

Getting the result

When the assessment is finished, you'll be given a report saying what the team found.

You may be given it by the team or get it in the post.

The report will say:

  • if you or your child are autistic – it might say something like you "meet the criteria for autism spectrum diagnosis"
  • what you or your child might need help with – such as social interaction, communication, behaviours or sensitivity to lights, colours and sounds
  • what you or your child are good at

Sometimes the report can be hard to understand as it can be full of terms used by healthcare professionals.

Ask the assessment team if you need any help.

You and your child should also be offered another appointment a few weeks or months later, to talk to someone from the assessment team about the report.

Autism is a lifelong condition, so the report will be used throughout childhood and into adulthood.

If you do not agree with the result

When you get the report, you may:

  • be told you or your child are not autistic
  • be asked to wait until your child is a bit older to be assessed again, as the signs of autism may not be clear
  • be given a diagnosis you do not agree with, such as a learning disability

Ask the assessment team why they have made the diagnosis they have.

The assessment team might arrange for a second opinion from a different team.

If you still do not agree, you can ask the GP to refer you to another team for a second opinion. Or you can pay for another assessment by a professional you choose who works outside the NHS (privately).

Remember that a second opinion may say the same thing.

Where to find help and support

Newly diagnosed with autism: things to help

Give yourself time

People react to a diagnosis of autism in different ways.

For some, it's a relief to find out why they or their child think, feel and act the way they do. For others, it can be a shock.

Try to give yourself time to come to terms with the diagnosis.

Remember:

  • help and support is available
  • even if things are hard now, they can get better
  • you or your child are still the same person as before
  • autism is not an illness or disease with treatments or a "cure"
  • autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they need help with

Find help and support services

You might feel alone when you or your child are first diagnosed.

But there are places you can get support.

You can get help from:

  • local support groups
  • national charities
  • other autistic people or parents on social media and forums
  • your school, college or workplace
  • your local council
  • your GP or the autism assessment team that diagnosed you

Listen to other people's stories

Some people find it helpful to find out about other people's stories of autism.

The charity healthtalk.org has stories from autistic people and parents of autistic children

You could also search online for autism blogs, videos or books.

Important:

Remember, autism is different for everyone. What happened to other people might not be the same for you or your child.

Look out for other health problems

Autism is not an illness. But many autistic people also have other conditions.

These are not always checked for during an autism assessment.

See a GP if you have any concerns about your or your child's health. They can help you get any extra care you need.

Other conditions that affect autistic people include:

  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • dyslexia and dyspraxia
  • problems sleeping (insomnia)
  • mental health problems
  • learning disabilities
  • epilepsy
  • problems with joints and other parts of the body

Find out more about autism

It might help you and your family to find out more about autism.

There can be quite a lot to take in. You do not have to read everything.

You can get trusted information from:



The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by NHS UK NHS website nhs.uk
Last Updated: 11/09/2024 13:47:38