People with ASD find communication difficult and often fail to understand the subtleties of language that the rest of us take for granted.
Some never acquire speech. Body language and facial expressions are a mystery. Perhaps because of this, people with ASD do not seek
to interact socially with others and are often seen as 'loners' and have difficulty in making and keeping friends. Thirdly, people with ASD
can have problems with imagination. This leads them to seek repetitive activities and predictable routines. This makes them seem very
rigid in their everyday lives, as change is very difficult to deal with.
Autism is often referred to as an 'invisible' condition. Because there are no physical traits to the condition, people with ASD can come
across to others as aloof, arrogant, rude, anti-social and badly or oddly behaved. People with ASD are unaware that their behaviour is
like this and often do not understand that others have thoughts and feelings too.
Autism and Asperger syndrome are lifelong pervasive disabilities and not, as many people perceive, a childhood condition. As a result,
the difficulties people with an ASD have with social interaction, communication and imagination will continue through life and they
will require services to meet their needs through out their lives. The National Autistic Society has prepared a report
A Place In Society: The Importance of Planning for Life to highlight these needs.
As well as the pages below, there is now available Nicola Gray's Next Steps excellent parent's resource book.
About Autism Index
Autism In Lananarkshire
What is autism?
What is Asperger syndrome?
'Next Steps' Resources
More About Autism & Asperger syndrome
Frequently Asked Questions
Interventions
Education Services
Health Services
Social Work Services
Leisure Services
Contacts page
People who have 