Autism is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions that are present throughout an individual’s life. Individuals with autism may be of low, average, or high IQ.
Autism affects 1 in 100 people and is more common in males. It is often referred to as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Difficulties and strengths in autism
The development of an individual with autism is frequently uneven with areas of strength alongside areas of difficulty. Difficulties typically present themselves in a number of ways including social behaviour and communication, narrow range of interests, and difficulties with abstract and ambiguous concepts.
Strengths often relate to memory skills and attention to detail. There are other features that may be present in conjunction with the core areas of difficulty. These include sensory differences, seizures, gastrointestinal concerns, depression, and anxiety.
The autistic spectrum
It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have a learning disability as well and need specialist support throughout their life.
Asperger’s syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger’s syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. Although they share many of the same differences described above, they have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
The people we support have different levels of need as the effects of autism can vary. At Dimensions we understand this, and that’s why we provide personalised, specialist support.
