What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects one in 100 people in the UK. It affects the way a person communicates and how they experience the world around them. It is a spectrum condition – this means that while people with autism, including Asperger's syndrome, share certain characteristics, they will be highly individual in their need for support and services.
Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives, but others may face additional challenges, including learning disabilities, which affect them so profoundly that they need support in many areas including communication, education and health.
How many children and young people are affected?
Autism affects one per cent of children and young people in the UK. We know that early diagnosis and intervention is critical to a child's development and yet the average age of diagnosis for autism in the UK is over six-and-a-half.
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