Autism & Asperger's
What is Autism?
Autism is a spectrum condition that encapsulates lifelong developmental disabilities which affect how people with the condition communicate and interact with the world. Autism will affect different people in different ways. 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
What is Asperger’s
People with Asperger syndrome do not have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have but they may have other neurodivergent difficulties. They may see, hear, and feel the world differently from other people. Often people feel that Asperger syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity. Some people with Asperger’s may have other co-occurrent mental health conditions and therefore may require different levels of support.
Autism Traits
Traits associated with autism
Some common traits which can be found in those who are on the autistic spectrum include:
- challenges with social communication
- anxiety in social situations
- a strong preference for routine
- a dislike of sudden or unexpected changes
- requiring instructions and directions to be clear, direct, and concise
- challenges in coping with noisy or crowded environments
- taking things very literally
Other signs of autism can include:
- avoiding eye contact
- getting upset when someone is in their personal space (getting too close or touching them)
Autism and Asperger's Strengths
It is important to remember, like with all disabilities, to focus on the strengths of those who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s rather than the weaknesses. Some of these strengths can include:
- being highly focused on their desired interests and hobbies
- excellent attention to detail
- strong technical skills
- methodical and logical
- identifying things that might be missed by others
- creative thinking
- problem solving
- new skills and insights
- enormous quantities of determination and tenacity
