No two people are alike
The term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) reflects the fact that no two people on the Autism Spectrum are alike. Even though individuals with Autism Spectrum have difficulties in the areas of communication, socialisation, and imagination or flexibility of thought, each is at a different point on the spectrum and so may seem quite different. Some people with Autism Spectrum will be able to live independent lives while others will always need assistance and support.
Some people on the Autism Spectrum have other conditions as well, such as speech and language difficulties, intellectual disabilities, sleep problems, attention problems, epilepsy, anxiety and depression, and difficulties with fine and gross motor skills. There are also other conditions that are associated with Autism Spectrum, including Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis and other genetic disorders.
Many have difficulties interpreting sensory information, and may display over- or under-sensitivity. Being over-sensitive to sound, touch, taste, smell and vision can be very distressing to individuals on the Autism Spectrum and can result in very strong reactions.
An individual experience of the world for each person with Autism Spectrum.
Individuals with Autism Spectrum feel like they are bombarded with sensations. They are often very visual and learn in different ways to others. Their difficulties with communication mean that they often miss nuances and jokes and take what people say very literally.
Understanding Autism Spectrum
Autism Spectrum often causes individuals to struggle to understand and relate to other people and to their environment and this can often result in extreme behaviour, which can be seen as tantrums in children and is their way of telling us how anxious they are feeling.
Individuals with an Autism Spectrum look no different to anyone else. Parents of children with autism report that others often think that their children are badly behaved and misunderstand the situation. Adults on the Autism Spectrum also find that they are misunderstood and harshly judged.
One in every 160 people have ASD. It affects about 4 times as many boys as girls. It is a lifelong disorder and there is no cure. On the positive side, early intervention can have tremendous results in helping those affected to live to their full potential. For older individuals, timely and meaningful support, advice and information can also be critical to quality of life outcomes.
What are the Causes?
It is not known what causes an individual to have Autism Spectrum. Much research is being done to try to find out more. At this point it is believed to result from changes to brain development which may be caused by a combination of factors, including environmental and genetic factors.
There is an increased chance of having another child on the Autism Spectrum, if there is already a child in the family with Autism Spectrum, but no specific genes have yet been proven to cause Autism Spectrum.