What is autism - National Autistic Society
What is autism? Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. More than one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Criteria and tools used in an autism assessment
Understanding the diagnostic criteria. An autism diagnosis should be based on criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) or the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11), according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Although many people (including most autistic people) …
What happens during an autism assessment - National Autistic …
An autism assessment is a process of gathering information about you or your child. The professionals conducting the assessment will seek to understand a broad range of information about you or your child to help them to reach a conclusion about whether you or your child is autistic or not. As part of the assessment they should also identify ...
Before diagnosis - National Autistic Society
Information, practical and multimedia resources to help you before requesting an autism assessment. The UK’s most comprehensive directory of services and support for autistic people, their families, and the people who work with them ...
National Autistic Society
We are the UKs leading charity for autistic people and their families. Since 1962, we have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.
Meltdowns - a guide for all audiences - National Autistic Society
A meltdown is an intense response to an overwhelming situation. It happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses control of their behaviour. This loss of control can be expressed verbally (eg shouting, screaming, crying), physically (eg kicking, lashing out, biting) or in both ways.
Under diagnosis of autism in England: a population-based ...
Jan 17, 2024 · The researchers estimate that the midpoint of these figures translates as approximately 750,000 undiagnosed autistic people aged 20 and above in England. If this is the case, the total autistic population in England would exceed 1.2 million people. This is nearly double the previously cited figure of 700,000 across the entirety of the UK, as ...
Help and support - National Autistic Society
External contact points where urgent help is needed, including the NHS, as well as helplines and listening services provided by a number of organisations. Advice and guidance about autism and the challenges autistic people and their families face. Topics include what is autism, diagnosis ...
Autism and empathy - National Autistic Society
A central idea in these works was that autistic people have an empathy ‘deficit’ relative to other people. This was considered a major milestone in the development of public perceptions of autistic people. Since that work, there have been a further two decades of research and thinking in this area, and the scientific community’s ideas ...
Autistic fatigue and burnout - National Autistic Society
Aug 20, 2020 · Autistic adults. Parents and carers. Professionals. Managing sensory overload and navigating social situations can be hugely stressful. Sometimes, it takes a lot of energy just to get through the average day. Autistic fatigue and burnout happen when the pressures get too much and you end up suffering from extreme exhaustion.