- Autism is a lifelong condition affecting social communication.
- It can involve a strong need for routine and predictability.
- Most autistic people have sensory processing difficulties, for example coping with flickering fluorescent lighting, strong smells or background noise.
- Understanding facial expressions and body language is more difficult, and eye contact can be painful to endure.
- Autism often also has strengths, including accuracy, honesty and dedication.
- Autism is a spectrum disorder. It affects individuals in different ways. Some may also have learning disabilities. Autistic people do not look disabled.
- Autistic social communication is often misunderstood, and many experience anger from others, which can lead to loneliness and anxiety.
Up to 20,000 people living in Berkshire are autistic.
If you have concerns that a child may be autistic, speak to your GP, health visitor or, if the child is attending school, a teacher or SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator), who will be able to refer you to Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s CAMHS service for further advice and assessment.
Adults who think they may be autistic should contact their GP, who will be able to advise them on next steps and make referrals for specialist advice and assessment.
Click here for more information about autism and related conditions, compiled by the National Autistic Society.
