What is autism?

All people with autism share three main areas of difficulty. These are:

Difficulties with social communication

Individuals can have difficulties with both verbal and non-verbal language (such as body language). Some may have very limited speech or not speak at all. Others may have good language skills but still find it hard to understand the back-and-forth nature of conversations.

Difficulties with social interaction

People with autism can find it hard to recognise or understand other people's emotions and feelings, and to express their own. This can make it more difficult for them to fit in socially.

Difficulties with social imagination

'Social imagination' is a skill which allows us to understand and predict other people's behaviour. It helps us to make sense of abstract ideas and to imagine situations outside our usual daily routine. People with autism may find it difficult to predict how others might behave and to cope with changes to their routine.

In addition to these three main areas of difficulty, people with Autism may also experience:

• Over or under-sensitivity to sensory information (including sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours)
• Repetitive movements, such as hand-flapping or spinning
• A degree of learning disabilities
• A particular area, or areas, of special interest, which can be intensely focused
• Challenging nehaviour

Around 1 in 100 people in the UK have an autistic spectrum condition. It is present in people from all backgrounds and affects around four times as many males as females.

The disorder does not only affect childhood, but is a lifelong condition. Children with autism will grow up to be adults with autism.

However, this doesn't necessarily mean that the patterns of behaviour present in childhood will never change. As it is a disability which affects all areas of development, symptoms can be different at different ages as the child develops. Some features may not become apparent until later in development, whilst others can disappear with time.

All people with an autistic spectrum condition are unique and have their own individual skills and abilities, as well as areas of difficulty. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives, while others may need a lifetime of specialist support.

It is common for people with autism to have additional conditions alongside autism. For example, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder).

Autism can normally be diagnosed in children at around the age of two

In many cases, professional health workers may spot the signs of autism during normal childhood health checks, and this may lead to the child being formally diagnosed.

If you think your child may have autism, ask your GP to refer them to a consultant or diagnostic team with a good understanding of the condition.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the leading UK charity for people with autism. It offers advice and support for those with their condition, and their loved ones.

I'm struggling to get a referral for my child

If you're finding it difficult to get a referral for your child, being assertive and persistent can help. The following tips may also be useful:

• Before your appointment, prepare notes on what you want to say to your GP
• Keep a diary to record any unusual behaviour by your child and how often it happens
• If there is more than one GP at your practice, ask to see another doctor for a second opinion

Should my child see a particular kind of doctor or autism specialist?

There can be many different doctors and health professionals involved in diagnosing autism. These are usually psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and, for children, paediatricians.

In some cases, multidisciplinary teams comprising different health professionals may be involved in diagnosing autism. It's important to ensure whoever sees your child has a good knowledge of autism.

You can call the Contact Helpline on 0808 800 4104 for support and guidance.

Does everybody with autism need to be diagnosed?

Many people with autism, and their families, benefit from having an official diagnosis.

Having an explanation for the problems a person may have experienced for many years can bring a sense of relief for both the person with autism and their parents, particularly those at the more able end of the spectrum. It can also help them get the most appropriate care and support.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) commissioned research into levels of awareness and understanding of autism among the public. It published a report on its findings in June 2007.

Overall, the research shows that awareness of autism is high, but that there's a lack of understanding about what it really means to live with the condition. This has a negative effect on people with autism and their families.

The research also shows that people think more positively once they know a person has autism. However, there's a significant gap between those good intentions and the reality experienced by people living with the condition.

Awareness of autism is high, but awareness that Asperger syndrome is a form of autism is low

Of those surveyed, 92% had heard of autism, but far fewer had heard of Asperger syndrome (just 48%). Asperger syndrome is mostly a hidden disability, meaning it is difficult to tell whether someone has the condition from their outward appearance.

While there are similarities with autism, people with Asperger syndrome have fewer problems with speaking and are often of average or above-average intelligence. They do not usually have the accompanying learning disabilities associated with autism, but may have specific learning difficulties. These can include dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or epilepsy.

Autism is much more common than people realise

Respondents were asked how many people they think are affected by autism. The majority (90%) didn't know how common it is.

There are more than half a million people with autism in the UK – the equivalent of 1 in every 100 people.

There's a lack of awareness and understanding about some of the key characteristics of autism

Many people correctly identified some of the key characteristics of autism, including difficulty communicating, difficulty making friends, a love of routine and obsessive behaviour.

However, some other common characteristics, such as the need for clear and unambiguous instructions, being disturbed by noise and touch, and having difficulty sleeping, were less well known. 10% of people thought autism was not a disability.

There's a misconception that people with autism have special abilities

More than a third of respondents (39%) thought most people with autism have special abilities, such as in maths or art. In fact, it's estimated that just 1 in 200 people with autism has special abilities.

People wrongly believe autism mostly affects children

More than a quarter (27%) of those who had heard of the condition mistakenly thought it mostly affects children. A child with autism grows up to be an adult with autism.

People don't realise that there's no cure for autism

There was considerable confusion about whether autism can be cured. Much less than half (just 39%) were aware that there is no cure. Despite this, access to the right help and support can greatly enhance the lives of people with the condition and they can go on to have successful lives, a family, employment and live independently or with support.

Support for children entering adulthood is available through a process known as transition. This involves a range of organisations, including the school and local child and adult social services.

It's important that the person with autism is involved with, prepared for and understands the changes that will happen as they reach 16, and in the following years.

One of the best ways to make sure the right support is offered is through a child's formal transition plan, which is drawn up with the various different organisations involved in supporting the teenager.

What is a transition plan?

A transition plan is a detailed document that highlights the future needs of a child with autism, and how these needs should be met. The plan should recognise, and be flexible enough to adapt to, their changing needs as they get older.

It should include plans for the support and services they will be offered, and how much they will need. Information about the ideal services they may need should be included, even if these are not available at the time.

Transition plans for children with autism will usually cover issues such as:

• Education and training
• Health
• Housing
• Transport
• Work
• Relationships
• Hobbies, sport and leisure activities

When should a transition plan be made?

A child with autism will probably have a statement of special educational needs (SEN). If so, the process of transition planning should start automatically when they reach Year 9 at school (usually the year of their 14th birthday). The main time for discussing transition planning is at the child's annual review of their special educational needs. From Year 9, these annual SEN reviews are usually called transition reviews.

During their last years of schooling, the transition plan will play a vital role in making sure the child gets the support they need as an adult, regardless of their age.

When a child with autism turns 18, their support needs should become the responsibility of adult social care services.

Annual reviews of transition for people with autism

Annual transition reviews provide the opportunity for:

• The child and their family to discuss their hopes and wishes for the future
• A discussion about the types and level of support from organisations such as social services, housing, health and employment, which the child with autism will need as they become an adult
• All representatives from child- and adult-related support organisations to meet and discuss their present role and their proposed role in the future of the person with autism

More information on the transition process

The National Autistic Society website has detailed information on transition planning at secondary school age.

View our preparing for adulthood pages. 

Autism Hampshire provide autism-focused training, domiciliary care, supported living services and mentoring. They also have an information, advice and guidance Team.

Visit the Autism Hampshire website.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) West provides a comprehensive specialist mental health service to children aged 5-18 years registered with a Southampton City GP.

We are here to help children and young people who are struggling with their emotional and mental health. 

View the full details of the CAMHS service.

Our team is available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. If your call to us isn’t urgent then you are able to leave a message which will be picked up the next working day. If you are calling outside of these hours and needing urgent mental health support then please call 111 or visit NHS 111 to speak to the Mental Health Triage Service. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone living in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Southampton, Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight have funded a free online directory. It is called The Local Autism Directory (LAD) and its aim is to be a combined approach to deliver support and information to people and families affected by autism.

The National Autistic Society is a leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. Visit the National Autistic Society website.