About Autism
About Autism
Autism changes the way people communicate and experience the world around them.
Autism is a spectrum of developmental conditions, including Asperger’s Syndrome.
Every autistic person is different. Some are able to learn, live and work independently but many have learning differences or co-occurring health conditions that require specialist support.
Key Symptoms
Autism can be diagnosed at any age and affects males and females. Common symptoms of autism are
delayed or absent speech
problems listening, concentrating and understanding
frequent repetition of words and phrases
taking things literally
difficulty sensing and interpreting people’s feelings
difficulty expressing feelings
over or under sensitivity to sound, touch, taste, smell or light
rituals or repetetive behaviours
disliking changes to routine
difficulty making friends and socialising
Facts & Figures
Without understanding, autistic people and families are at risk of being isolated and developing mental health problems.
Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – that's about 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.
Autism doesn't just affect children. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.
Autism is a hidden disability – you can't always tell if someone is autistic.
While autism is incurable, the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people's lives.
34% of children on the autism spectrum say that the worst thing about being at school is being picked on.
63% of children on the autism spectrum are not in the kind of school their parents believe would best support them.
17% of autistic children have been suspended from school; 48% of these had been suspended three or more times; 4% had been expelled from one or more schools.
Seventy per cent of autistic adults say that they are not getting the help they need from social services. Seventy per cent of autistic adults also told us that with more support they would feel less isolated5.
At least one in three autistic adults are experiencing severe mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.
Only 16% of autistic adults in the UK are in full-time paid employment and only 32% are in some kind of paid work.
Only 10% of autistic adults receive employment support but 53% say they want it.
Why is South Glos Aspies an Important Thing?
To tackle social isolation and lonliness, which is the biggest end affect of autism.
From tackling the isolation scourge, individuals can build esteem and then healthily other areas of their life.
Many rescoures are focused at children, very little is directed towards adults on the spectrum.
Sometimes, people have to take things into their own hands, and this is why this group exists....
Curated Reading List
General
Donna Williams. Autism – an inside-out approach (a practical handbook)
Temple Grandin. Temple talks about autism and sensory issues (an overview and tips)
Tony Attwood. The complete guide to Asperger’s syndrome (the definitive guide)
For parents
Joshua Muggleton. Raising Martians (help your child with Asperger’s)
For children
Louise Gorrod. My brother is different (for younger children)
Katy Hoopmann. Inside Asperger’s looking out (for family, friends and classmates)
For teens
Luke Jackson. Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome
Shana Nichols. Girls growing up on the autistic spectrum (for girls and their parents)
For women
Robyn Steward. The Independent Woman’s Handbook for Super Safe Living on the Autistic Spectrum (will help you to stay safe whilst living life to the full)
Personal stories
Liane Holliday Willey. Pretending to be normal: living with Asperger’s Syndrome (one of first female autobiographies)
Naoki Higashida. The reason I jump (written by non-verbal 13 year old)