What does an Autism diagnosis mean?
Autism, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) are all terms used to mean a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they experience the world around them. The behaviours and symptoms seen in someone with Autism can be more or less observable between different people and each person with Autism will have their own individual areas of strengths and difficulties. However, all people with Autism show difference across the same areas; social interaction, social communication, social imagination, restricted interests and repetitive behaviours.
Children can exhibit signs of Autism from a young age and therefore be diagnosed quite early, enabling them to access the support needed. However, sometimes Autism can be undetected until adolescence or even adulthood, meaning that diagnosis isn’t made until much later. This is particularly common in females, who tend to mask their difficulties more easily than boys. This is one of the reasons why there are more boys and men diagnosed with Autism.
This video by The National Autistic Society provides a very good overview.
For more information, click here or you can download a factsheet from Autism West Midlands here.
Children can exhibit signs of Autism from a young age and therefore be diagnosed quite early, enabling them to access the support needed. However, sometimes Autism can be undetected until adolescence or even adulthood, meaning that diagnosis isn’t made until much later. This is particularly common in females, who tend to mask their difficulties more easily than boys. This is one of the reasons why there are more boys and men diagnosed with Autism.
This video by The National Autistic Society provides a very good overview.
For more information, click here or you can download a factsheet from Autism West Midlands here.
What are the signs of ASD?
The characteristics of Autism vary from one person to another, but in order for a diagnosis to be made, a person will usually be assessed as having had persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests since early childhood, to the extent that these "limit and impair everyday functioning".
Signs in Children
Some of the main signs that a child may be on the autism spectrum include:
- not drawing their parents’ or others’ attention to objects or events, for example pointing at a toy or a book, or at something that is happening nearby (or a child may eventually do this, but later than expected)
- carrying out activities in a repetitive way, for example always playing the same game in the same way, or repeatedly lining toys up in a particular order
- resistance to change or doing things differently
- emerging difficulties with social interaction and social communication including non-verbal communication
- behaviour such as biting, pinching, kicking, pica (putting inedible items in the mouth), or self-injurious behaviour.
Signs in Adults
In adults, the signs of ASD can be more subtle as adults may have learned strategies for masking their social interaction and communication difficulties and ‘fitting in’ with others more easily. ASD can often manifest for adults in difficulties in the workplace (or problems maintaining employment), unusual or limited relationships with others and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
For more information, click here, here or here.
For an interesting article discussing the benefits of a later stage diagnosis of Autism (in adulthood), click here.
Signs in Children
Some of the main signs that a child may be on the autism spectrum include:
- not drawing their parents’ or others’ attention to objects or events, for example pointing at a toy or a book, or at something that is happening nearby (or a child may eventually do this, but later than expected)
- carrying out activities in a repetitive way, for example always playing the same game in the same way, or repeatedly lining toys up in a particular order
- resistance to change or doing things differently
- emerging difficulties with social interaction and social communication including non-verbal communication
- behaviour such as biting, pinching, kicking, pica (putting inedible items in the mouth), or self-injurious behaviour.
Signs in Adults
In adults, the signs of ASD can be more subtle as adults may have learned strategies for masking their social interaction and communication difficulties and ‘fitting in’ with others more easily. ASD can often manifest for adults in difficulties in the workplace (or problems maintaining employment), unusual or limited relationships with others and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
For more information, click here, here or here.
For an interesting article discussing the benefits of a later stage diagnosis of Autism (in adulthood), click here.
R E C O M M E N D E D
R E S O U R C E S
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National Autistic Society
The most prevalent charitable organisation dedicated to parents, carers, professionals and people with Autism. Click here to go to their website. |
Autism West Midlands
The leading charity in the West Midlands for people with Autism and their families. Click here to go to their website. |
Autism Links
Online network of resources for people with Autism and their families. Click here to go to their website. |
