Autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with
autism is different. Some autistic people need little
or no support. Others may need help…
What is autism?
Review: 7 September 2025
autism can affect everyday life and how you can help support and understand autistic people.
What is autism?
Autistic people may act in a different way to other people
Autistic people may:
*find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
*find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
*find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
*get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
*take longer to understand information
*do or think the same things over and over
Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older.
If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.
But some people need support to help them with certain things.
Autistic people can live a full life
Being autistic does not have to stop you having a good life.
Like everyone, autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they struggle with.
Being autistic does not mean you can never make friends, have relationships or get a job. But you might need extra help with these things.
Autism is different for everyone
Autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with autism is different.
Some autistic people need little or no support. Others may need help from a parent or carer every day.
Some people use other names for autism
There are other names for autism used by some people, such as:
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the medical name for autism
Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome)
Autistic people can have any level of intelligence
Some autistic people have average or above average intelligence.
Some autistic people have a learning disability. This means they may find it hard to look after themselves and need help with daily life.
Autistic people may have other conditions
Autistic people often have other conditions, such as:
*attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
*dyslexia
*anxiety
*depression
*epilepsy