The National Autistic Society's Caroline Hattersley explains how the condition affects behaviour and the steps youth workers should take when working with young people.
Q: What is autism?
Most people have heard of autism, but many don't understand what it is and how it affects those who have it. Autism is a lifelong and incurable condition and without the right support it can have a profound and devastating effect on individuals and families.
Everyday life can be confusing, meaningless or frightening for autistic people, and while some live relatively independent lives, others may need a lifetime of specialist support.
Some think that people with autism have special talents (as in the film Rain Man) - in reality a very small number do. People with Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism, often have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties understanding and processing language.
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