Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which, in short, means that an individual experiences and interacts with the world in a different way. In the UK, there are around 700,000 autistic people.
There are many different ways autism may present itself in an individual, but the most common signs include:
Finding it hard to manage social situations – autistic people can find it difficult to relate to or understand other people. This can make social situations challenging for them. For example, they may need extra time to process and respond to information.
Anxiety, especially in response to a trigger such as a change of routine – regulating emotions and coping with change can be difficult for some autistic people. Certain triggers, such as a busy environment, can cause intense anxiety.
Hyper-fixation on certain interests and hobbies – some autistic people have an intense interest in a certain subject. These can be lifelong or they may change over time. These interests can bring a huge amount of fulfilment and joy.
Sensitivity to certain sounds, lights or textures – certain sensory stimuli which people without autism are able to ignore can have a big impact on autistic people. This can make everyday environments hard to tolerate, such as public transport.
Autism isn’t a condition an individual can be cured from – it is something they will live with for the rest of their lives. However, an individual with autism can still live a very happy and fulfilled life.
Autism is different for everyone
Autism is a spectrum condition. While there are common behaviours and traits, there isn’t one set of symptoms everyone with autism experiences. It’s different for everyone.
Some people with autism may need a lot of help to manage their everyday lives, others may not need as much.
An autistic person may have cognitive and/or physical impairments – such as communication difficulties.
At Enable Support Services, we work with autistic clients who need varying degrees of support and tailor the care plans to their individual needs.
